Meet Vanessa Strobridge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Strobridge.

Vanessa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My love of skincare really started as a kid. My family is full of cosmetologists who have eventually gone on to open their own small businesses. Some of my favorite memories from childhood are spending time at my cousin’s salon, Blades, while my mom was apprenticing underneath her. On the second floor of the salon was a small esthetician room. The steam, calming tones, products, and machines in that space were fascinating. To say I have been inspired by their work and stories would be an understatement. Developing severe eczema and allergies at a very young age was also a major factor in my decision to pursue skin care. This time in my life was spent in and out of doctor’s offices, multiple allergy tests, a lot of tears, and tons of topical steroids. I understood the difficulty in battling flare-ups, finding the right treatment/products to help contain them, as well as the mental and emotional impact chronic skin conditions and health issues can have on someone’s self-esteem.

The desire to better understand my own condition and wanting to help others struggling became the catalyst for my career. I started in this industry as a front desk receptionist at a small spa in my hometown later attended aesthetics school in Burbank, and obtained my license in 2009. Over the next decade, I worked in different facets of the day spa and med spa world. The treatment room has always been my comfort zone, so when my role as an esthetician grew into managing a small office, I felt something shift. That opportunity gave me the ability to see the smaller details that went into running a business and how all of those elements affect the client’s experience. From that point forward, I knew I wanted to cultivate an atmosphere and standard I wanted my guest to have from the moment they walked through my doors to the end of their visit. This is what lead to the opening of Ritual Aesthetics.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Opening my business in March of 2020, 5 days prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns, has definitely been the biggest struggle so far. Closing my doors before truly being able to open and watching the plan I created completely unravel put me on a roller coaster of emotion. Having a brand new business during this time left me with little to no options for government or local assistance; which pushed me into becoming creative on how to keep everything afloat. A little over a year later, we were finally able to resume in-person services. Reopening the business brought on the challenges of rebuilding clientele and marketing myself back out to the public. With all that being said, I’m not sure starting a business is ever an easy journey. No one can quite prepare you for the ups and downs that come along with it, but no matter the chaos, it was worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in calming inflammatory skin conditions and lightening scarring and pigmentation. My services range from chemical and enzyme peels, hydro-dermabrasion facials, micro-current, and waxing. Every treatment is customized for each client and their specific needs. All products used in the service are derived from natural ingredients that are safe yet effective, for all skin types and conditions. My goal is to meet my clients where they are at in their skincare journey and help give them the knowledge and the tools they need to achieve their desired results. Ritual Aesthetics believes that beauty goes beyond skin deep. While working in this industry, it’s important to challenge the beauty standards that have been set on ourselves and others and remind people that no skin is flawless. There’s so much more than what’s on the surface. I’m proud to have created a space for anyone to feel comfortable to come as they are and take the moment they need to decompress. I’m also proud to be a woman in business and hope to encourage others on their path to entrepreneurship.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are plenty of people who have helped me get to this point! Every educator and rep who has helped continue my education in aesthetics and this industry. My family and friends have provided me with so much encouragement and support throughout this entire process. Their faith, willingness to listen, and share their laundry machines will always be greatly appreciated. My amazing clients; their patience and loyalty throughout an entire pandemic mean everything. Thank you for trusting me with my craft. I would not have been able to fulfill this dream without them. Thank you again and again.

Alexa Castillo, may your spirit continue to guide and protect me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ritualaesthetics.com/links
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ritual.aesthetics/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ritual-aesthetics-pasadena