Today we’d like to introduce you to Francheska Bernuy.
Hi Francheska, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started with the desire to find answers for my own acne. I struggled with painful cystic acne and although I was working for a dermatologist at the time and loved being there, I was not getting a solution- everything was a “Band-Aid” fix. I say that not to shame dermatologists at all as we each have our place when it comes to the skin, but along with many of the clients I see now I was just given medication or topicals that were either irritating my skin or would work but temporarily. I wanted to find a solution because anyone who struggles with acne or any skin condition knows not only is it physically painful, but it’s depressing and takes a toll on your mental health. I worked in dermatology for 6 years (in two different offices) and at the last office, I was very thankful and lucky because the doctor I worked for allowed me to transition from being employed full-time to working just part-time so I could attend Esthetician school in St. Pete full time. I would attend school from 7 am to 12:15 pm and had to be clocked in for my office job at 1 pm. I worked there 1-5 pm and then got a second evening job at Home Depot to make extra money and do it again the next day for 3 months- I was also 6 months pregnant. As scary as this sounds, most Esthetician or Facials Specialty programs in Florida are only 3-6 months of schooling! With that being said I passed my finals and graduated at 9 months pregnant (2 weeks before my due date). But education didn’t and doesn’t stop there, especially in the beauty industry – you are constantly learning and growing. After coming back from maternity leave, I continued working at the dermatology office but found a job on the weekends at a day spa in downtown Sarasota. Unfortunately, at the dermatologist’s office, I could not work as an Esthetician as there was already someone well-established there and no room for me. My goal was to work at a Med Spa since that’s what I was already used to working for the dermatologist but unfortunately, nobody hires a “new” esthetician. I would apply and get denied so many times, even with a dermatology background and I felt discouraged.
After that, I decided to part ways with the dermatology office to focus on this full-time and worked at several spas from Tampa to Sarasota to get experience and training. I also started an Instagram account and started following other Estheticians and that was one of the best things I did! There are so many great Estheticians who provide great information and even tips. I came across the Face Reality Acne Program which is a skincare line and training for Estheticians on how to treat and manage acne, so I invested in my education and took the training, and became certified. I then did the program myself and was blown away!! I cleared my acne and now had the knowledge on how to treat different types of acne, it’s honestly the best thing I did for myself and soon my business. Working for a spa and a brow bar at the time I could not perform or offer the services I really wanted so I started seeing clients little by little from home and created a space from there. Because I was seeing clients on the side my jobs did not feel comfortable with it, so I had to part ways with them and went back to an office job full time at a dental office outside of the beauty industry and continued to see clients from home. I was able to save enough and found my first space outside of the home in a barber shop which lasted about 3 months as I had found a slightly bigger space after and also a different environment for my clients at a Cryotherapy Studio in downtown Bradenton and there my business and I really grew. I was able to leave my office job and took the leap of faith to start seeing clients full-time. Most of my clientele started as acne and still is but now I also specialize in pigmentation and aging, or corrective results-driven treatments. Almost four years after getting my Esthetician License, I am currently located in West Bradenton in a storefront location and also have a Medical Director, so I am able to safely and efficiently provide more advanced skin treatments. Educating and boosting my client’s confidence is honestly what it’s all about for me. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Aside from nobody wanting to hire me as a newly Licensed Esthetician at first, I’d say that I am blessed to be surrounded by a great Esthetician community online, but I do see where the “competition” side is at times with other service providers in my area or just some who aren’t as nice to help others just because they are in the same field as you are.
As far as working with clients is gaining their trust at first it may take a while. I always like to make sure I am setting realistic goals for them and letting them know that one facial treatment won’t just clear their acne.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Come as you are. Francheska Esthetics is a safe and judgment-free skin studio. Our goal is to educate you on your skin and boost your confidence. Skin studio specializes in results-driven skin treatments with a sprinkle of relaxation because you can have them both. We offer services such as an Acne Boot Camp program, Dermaplaning, and Hydro-facial treatments are available. Since we are medically supervised, we are able to offer advanced treatments such as Microneedling, The Perfect Derma Peel, and more.
We also offer the best medical-grade skincare for our clients such as Skinbetter Science, iS Clinical, Face Reality, and other carefully chosen skincare lines. Whether you have specific skin goals, maintain, or just want to escape for a bit we look forward to taking care of you.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Traveling the whole East side of the country with my family in our family van.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://francheskaesthetics.com/
- Instagram: @francheska.skin
- Facebook: Francheska Esthetics
Image Credits
@karicreativephotography – Karissa Soto
