Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Manel.
Vanessa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Searching for the seed of this business creation story, I recognize that it dates to the day I had car trouble passing through Eagle Rock and stopped here to get a repair at an auto shop! This is the community that has supported me in a professional and spiritual sense from the moment I experienced it, even at the auto shop. I recall a tug in my chest to be among these streets as I passed time wandering them that afternoon, and within a month I had found a part-time Esthetics opportunity in the neighborhood at The Loft Hair Lounge. This is where I met and observed a lot of colleagues in the beauty world who served as mentors to me, and I developed a lot of friendships whose support would be essential to the story of this business. We opened our doors in January 2014 with a team of three, and now we have a team of nine which includes professionals specializing in skin care, makeup artistry, lashes, and we are now developing Ayurvedic offerings.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I just came across a popular quote that says, “I’ve learned so much from my mistakes, I’m thinking about making a few more.” The business itself has enjoyed an unbelievably supportive client base and a lot of consistency in bookings and growth. However over the years, I myself have had struggles with choices I’ve made or moments I haven’t been at my best here. I try to reflect enough to learn but still keep a sense of humor through all the dark nights of the soul that the self-reflection ignites. A business or creative project that you lead reflects everything back to you very quickly, good and bad. I know in the early years, I tried to take too much responsibility, or curate things too much. As I’ve learned to know that my team and our community of clients has a lot more expertise than myself, we’ve been more successful and happy. I think I was the main obstacle in the road here!
Vanessa Manel Beauty & Wellness – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Vanessa Manel Beauty & Wellness is a skin care spa and lash and makeup salon. Most of our estheticians and talent have 10-15 years of experience in their craft, which differentiates us from chain establishments that provide these services. There are many, many other talented professionals in our field in LA. We are not alone in loving what we do and striving to do our best! Our mission is to encourage self-care and self-expression and serve our particular community. We avoid charging premium pricing because beauty isn’t a luxury and is open to everybody. It is caring for yourself and having courage to express yourself.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
We don’t really use quantitative goals here. There are two areas I keep in mind as my duty – caring for the family of staff here and the larger family of clients and community. Providing a space for the team members to flourish is a goal, and delivering results and a blissful escape to our clients is also a goal. Seeing a client feel better after service is enough to make my day. Seeing the team laughing together or helping each other is also a source of joy for me. We have two estheticians that have used the space to grow their practice over the last five years and now run their own business from here. Knowing this space could be a part of that professional growth is satisfying.
Pricing:
- Facials $80+
- Eyelash Extensions $75+
- Eyebrow Shaping $24-$28
- Makeup Service $35+
Contact Info:
- Address: 5110 Townsend Ave
Los Angeles CA 90041 - Website: www.vanessamanel.com
- Phone: 323-551-5855
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Photo of Vanessa – Liz Barlak Photography, Photo of Before After Microblading – Jessica Sierra, Photo of team – Jayson Rahmlow, Photo of lash work – Andrea Guerrero, photo of Interior – Liz Hernandez, Flower Photo – Vanessa Rahmlow, photo of Before After Brow – Vanessa Rahmlow
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
