Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Plaza.
Hi Valerie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My love for nurturing people has always run through my veins. I remember being a little child and saying I wanted to be a massage therapist. My father being the scientist that he is (truly he is a scientist) led me down the medical career path where years into it, I found myself completely unfulfilled.
There I was in my early 20’s wanting something more. Something that actually lit me up and left the people around me feeling amazing. My Esthetician at the time cheered me on to give esthetics a try. Esthetics is filled with chemistry and you are able to help clients leave your treatment room better than when they came in. I could not stop thinking about how this was right up my alley.
I found an Esthetics Laser Institute and began my journey in the MedSpa world here in Austin and eventually moved to Seattle where I was introduced to the world of Reiki healers, Naturopaths, & healing skin with out needing a bunch of expensive tools and machines. I would say Seattle is where I was shown my true power. Shown a female-owned company (my boss was incredible and I always think of her when I think of how I want to run my business) can be successful and full of women who lift one another up. Women who share their “tricks of the trade” and we all gave one another treatments regularly which helped not only create a bond but also continue learning.
Eventually, I made my way back here to Austin where I first worked for a corporate spa. I learned very quickly, this was not the environment for me. There was no leniency in protocols. Everything was rushed, no one felt appreciated. I knew I needed something different.
Golden Hour sprouted from the want to be different. From the need to create a space where everyone genuinely feels welcome and not rushed. A slow-paced environment where you can ask your esthetician questions and actually be able to reach them even after you leave the studio. What began as a one person team has developed into a four-person crew that is full of knowledge and a genuine love for all that is skincare and helping people in every way that we can.
I always say I like to think of my facials as deep cleansing not only for your skin but for your soul. To fill your energy cup so you can go out into the busy world refreshed and as always, I leave room within our time for massage, my first passion that I believe sets us apart in the best way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is there ever a smooth road to creating a company? I will definitely say there is so much on the back end that I had no idea about. Especially as a little girl no one ever said to me…”you can go to college and start your own company! You don’t have to go to school and then immediately work for someone else.” We aren’t given the tools, the knowledge of what is needed. My lawyer is who helped me realize the first step. “Hey, let’s get you an LLC and begin Golden Hour”, she says. From there, I acquired and bookkeeper, CPA and other people who helped me make sure I had (and still have) everything in order.
I was fortunate that my family, friends and clients who have followed me throughout my Esthetics journey helped me create a smooth transition when creating Golden Hour. I won’t pretend it wasn’t scary! Especially when we moved into a larger space and then COVID entered the world and shut everything down. I am pretty certain I went through 12 stages of panic during the lockdown but we are thriving now and I couldn’t be more grateful.
I still work as a Radiologic Technologist very part-time. To split your time between building a business and working for another company to make ends meet is a struggle within itself but is 100% worth it. Every day, every week I learn something new. I love hearing what my coworkers have as input to change or even to build one another up as to what we are doing great at.
We’ve been impressed with Golden Hour Skincare, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Golden Hour is a facial/waxing/brow studio that is proud to be a woman-owned bespoke spa ready to fulfill more than just beauty needs. We aim to be more than a space where you come to get services. We are working on getting back to offering experiences such as soundbath meditations in conjunction with one of our neighboring businesses — cultivating a holistic vibe for our clients. What sets us apart is that we are not only a holistic environment but we use products backed by science without letting things feel too sterile — our studio is full of energy and life (literally our waiting area is overflowing with plants) and can’t wait to pass that on to each of our clients that walk through our door.
What matters most to you?
That everyone that walks through our door feels welcome, safe, at home, and that we genuinely care and are reachable. We educate ourselves to better serve our clientele, and if we are for some reason not the best solution for our clients, we are not too proud to refer someone to what they need even if it doesn’t end up being Golden Hour. At this point, I am overjoyed to say that the majority of my clients are genuinely my friends as well.
Pricing:
- Facials – $120-$165
- Waxing – $10-$75
- Powder Brows – $400
- Lash Services – $25-$300
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@goldenhourskincare.com
- Website: www.goldenhourskincare.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/goldenhour_skincare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldenhourspa
Image Credits
Summer Engman-Image Credits
