Today we’d like to introduce you to Lupe Paramo.
Lupe, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Lupe and I am an Esthetician. At 25 years old I became a business owner, and have been an Esthetics Instructor for 2 years. In total, I have been in the beauty industry for 9 years.
My passion for skin care began as a makeup artist when I was 15 and I fell in love with making people look and feel beautiful. I have always focused on skin care and improving the skin instead of just covering it up. I came across Esthetics and signed up to school the same day and fell in love and knew I wanted to do it for the rest of my life. Right out of Esthetics School I became a Wax specialist. Working at a well-known wax center, that focuses on speed waxing, I became the number 1 Brazilian waxer in Chicago. I am confident that I can complete anyone in 15 minutes or less.
As I first handedly know that this can be an uncomfortable experience, I strive and guarantee to make it a comfortable and satisfying experience for my guests. 2 years into waxing I received a call from one of my previous Esthetic Instructors, asking me if I wanted to teach Esthetics. I was nervous but excited because I had a lot of first-hand experience to offer. I started student teaching and in my second week, I got to teach my own class. Halfway through the program, I realized how much I missed the skincare aspect that made me start Esthetics in the first place. I shared my dream of owning my own spa with my instructor and she encouraged me to pursue it.
So I did just that, a month later. I opened Sphynx Spa Suite and I wanted to offer the best services and products for guests while making everything customizable for the guest as an individual. Teaching has taught me that no two people are the same. As an esthetician, I have learned that no single service works for everyone. At Sphynx Spa Suite we focus on the Guest’s individual needs. Each facial is customized after first cleanse and skin analysis for the purpose of giving you the correct products and services your skin needs. No confusion of messy menus just customized plans for guests unique needs.
It’s important that I educate my guests on what they need to maintain their spa glowing skin between services. It doesn’t stop there, I also offer eye enhancements like lash lifting and brow/lash tinting, as well as many machine facials, and even intimate bleaching. In order to keep up with the latest trends, I attend innovative beauty conferences to keep my guests as up to speed as the top Hollywood spas. I am going on 2 years and could not be happier. I have the best job in the world; making people feel beautiful and teaching people how to make themselves happy. I am truly blessed and so grateful.
Great, 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?
My biggest struggle was the doubt I had in myself. I was working as an esthetician at my full-time job, student teaching part-time and was an instructor as well, all while planning to open a spa. I didn’t think this would be possible. It felt like I would run out of hours in the day. My only thought was fulfilling my dreams of being an esthetics instructor and a spa owner.
I found a great location in the heart of Streeterville and didn’t want to miss the opportunity. Which in turn left me little time to think of a name. I wanted something different that would stick with you but so unique u couldn’t forget it. I came up with “Sphynx Spa Suite” because I was a well-known waxer and sphinx is a hairless cat, I thought it was clever so I went with it. I added “spa suite” because it’s based on a suite and I want people to know it’s not your traditional spa it’s a one on one appointment based experience that focuses on your needs, in a suite.
Sphynx Spa Suite – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As I am known for quick and satisfying Brazilian waxing, waxing is still a specialty of mine. At Spynx Spa Suite we only use hard wax in all sensitive areas. Facials are a growing service, due mainly to the fact that I customize the facial to the guest’s needs.
I love when clients say to me, “I want a facial and don’t know what I need” or “I have been using this product and it doesn’t work” or even, “I don’t know my skin type and how to treat it”, because here at Sphynx Spa Suite I want to eliminate the guessing game of choosing your facial. I will choose the facial for you and tell you why it fits your needs after I evaluate your skin. In my opinion, this should be the only way facials should be performed, this not only sets us apart but we shouldn’t have to choose off a menu what facial “might” work for us.
We are not cookie cutter, we are all unique and have special needs, and I want to fill in the gap where it was lost to big corporations and change the game. I plan to start the relaxation at first booking, by getting you straight to what’s needed and ending the guesswork. All Sphynx Spa Suite facials come with an eye cooling treatment and cool jade rollers at the end and a relaxing hand & arm massage.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment brings tears to my eyes just looking back on it now. I have clients that have found me from 4 years ago because they remembered by name and googled just hoping they could find me.
To see them walk into what is now my own suite and their words of encouragement is very fulfilling. Or them telling me they knew back then that I would have my own business blows my mind because they saw something in me that I didn’t see for myself. I have clients that I had for 4 years now that have supported me. Like I said, I always knew I would own my own business but to see it come to be at such a young age is a great accomplishment for me.
Pricing:
- Brazilian Wax -$65
- 30min Customized Facial -$55
- 60min Customized Facial -$99
- Lash Lift -$65
- Brow & Lash Tinting -$20 each
- Intimate area Bleaching -$300-350
Contact Info:
- Address: 233 E Erie Suite 613
- Website: www.sphynxspasuite.com
- Phone: 7734411312
- Email: sphynxspasuite@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sphynxspasuite/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sphynxspasuite/
- Twitter: sphynxspasuite
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sphynx-spa-suite-chicago
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