Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1517908
ASCP SkinPro got a glow-up! Check out new app content at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 61 and asking questions about how they could help their clients. They all cared about their clients. And they were all so passionate. I walked around the trade-show floor and saw the different companies; everybody seemed so happy. And my husband said, "Why don't you go to school?" SD: And then you went to esthetics school? XJ: That alone was a huge transition for me. It was very hard because the military is so structured. Every day in the military, you know the value of teamwork and reliability. It doesn't matter what rank you have; you are important. Everybody is very disciplined, whether they like it or not. So, when I came into the esthetics industry, I had a very hard time. The civilian world is such a different world. I was in a classroom with a lot of younger women. I was also young. I was only 22 years old, but my mind had already experienced so much. [The Navy] had broken me down, and they had built me back up, so I was not flexible. I wish I had a do-over for that because I would be more relaxed. I learned a lot, but I wasn't relaxed. SD: After you graduated, what made you want to open your own business? XJ: The plan was to let me get some experience, let me go work for somebody, do that for a couple of years, get my feet wet in the industry, and then my husband and I would open a business. The true reason why I opened my business is because nobody hired me. My esthetics teacher had told me, "You are not going to have a problem getting a job. You're such an amazing esthetician. Anybody's going to love having you." Well, nobody called me for even an interview. I printed out resumes and went in person to different spots. I just wanted to get some experience, but nobody called me. So, I said to my husband, "Let's do this. Let's open the business." And here we are. SD: What has it been like to co-own a business with your husband? XJ: I think we are a power couple. He is the numbers guy and I'm more front-of-the-house and with clients—so we have different perspectives. I'll come home super excited about a new device that I want to buy, and he's like, "OK, let's slow down. Let's research this a little bit." I'm so grateful to have my husband as my business partner because he has been able to guide me in making better decisions. Because I have so much passion for the esthetics industry, I bring in the nurturing Behind the scenes at Ximena's photo shoot. Above, clockwise from bottom left: ASCP Editor Jen Anderson, Christopher Onstott and Leah Nash of NASHCO, Ximena Juarez, model Michelle Font, and Edgar Juarez.