I confess ... my journey as an esthetician
stemmed partly from my own personal
pursuit to fight the look of aging ...

I am an Illinois Licensed Esthetician. I've been married to the love of my life for 32 years and have two fantastic children, a daughter and son, both college graduates. When I'm not delving into skin care topics, I'm a leisure golfer and an avid traveler. 

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, I grew up in Central Illinois with my summers filled with endless sunshine, softball games and working in the corn fields. I moved to the Chicago suburbs in 1989. With a previous background in advertising and journalism, I entered the world of public education "pushing paper" for career & technical education grants -- a job I ended up staying with for over 27 years.

I had always grown up with the belief that there was power in human touch, and from an early age bought into the philosophy of teachers such as Felice Leonardo ("Leo") Buscaglia who promoted the value of something as simple as a human hug and its healing benefits.

With the option to take a very early retirement, I decided to make a change from the office career. After having my first facial ever, I realized it was a way to join together my belief in human touch with my developing interest in overall health and wellness, and of course incorporating my own journey to fight the subtle signs of aging that were beginning to creep up on me. Also, one of my children had suffered terribly with severe acne. I researched esthetics schools and chose Universal Spa Training Academy. After some temporary setbacks, I entered the esthetics training program four nights a week while keeping my 40-hr./wk. day job. Upon graduating and passing the State Board, I still hung onto the day job and got my foot in the door moonlighting as an esthetician weeknights and weekends. That went on for awhile, partly because I wasn't finding just the right spa environment that I wanted to work in, but largely due to my hesitation to let go of the perceived safety of the day job. Finally the day came when I gave up the day job and all moonlighting and jumped into spa life full time. At one point I joined a brand new spa and ended up in a dual role as lead esthetician and interim manager. It was during that experience I realized how much I still enjoyed administrative type duties in addition to my newfound love of skin care.  

Getting to where I am has, at times, been exhausting. My family has given me all the support I've needed along the way. Never losing sight of the dream, I "paid my dues" and put in the hours and mental/emotional effort to reach it. Not listening to those who thought I was crazy for doing so, I chose to leave a job that paid well and had numerous benefits including loads of holidays and vacation days, plus what you call Cadillac insurance. My work is not about collecting a paycheck -- it's all about people. I love what I do and absolutely enjoy every person who comes into my treatment room. It's a privilege helping someone work toward their skin care goals while at the same time providing relaxation, rejuvenation, and restoration. And I can't tell you how enthused I get when I have the honor of giving someone his/her first facial ever!

I continue to evolve and grow as an esthetician. With every class I take and every article I read, I grow my knowledge and skills and bring everything I have into the treatment room for you, my guest. 

It's never too late to explore your talents and make a change in your path.

Be well and live well!