We had the good fortune of connecting with Ava Lemons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ava, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
When it comes to my business, the appreciation I receive from my clients makes me happy. When somebody comes into my studio frazzled from life, and within minutes of starting their facial I hear their peaceful little snores…that gives me such satisfaction. I know I’ve taken them out of the daily grind even if only for an hour.

In my personal life, it’s little things. A genuine compliment from a stranger. A cute baby laughing. A good glass of rose on a hot summer day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think there’s a lot of shame around vanity yet at the same time it’s expected to always appear flawless. It’s very confusing and contradictory. When a client comes into my space for a facial, it’s not about TikTok trends and unrealistic expectations. I don’t use filters for my before and after photos either. I also don’t use high pressure sales techniques. All of these things set me apart in the beauty space, because people quickly feel at ease when we begin their skincare journey, and like they are a part of the process instead of simply being talked to.

Getting to this point wasn’t easy. I didn’t always feel confident talking to people at the start of my career. The more experience I gained and the more I invested in continuing education, the more I felt like an expert in my field. Still, there will always people that I won’t connect with, and I’ve learned not to take that personally.

I want the world to know that I’ve put a lot of time, energy, and heart into what I do for the past 19 years and that it reflects in the work that I do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Even though I’m an East Sider, there are so many beautiful and fun places in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. A beach day would definitely be in order- I love Malibu personally. A food tour would also be mandatory. A lot of people are still under the impression that Californian’s only eat kale and that’s not true! I’d want to go everywhere from trending upscale restaurants to little hole in the wall joints and food carts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, my clients, some of whom have been with me for 5 years. Their excitement for me to open my own business really solidified that it was the right time last year. Their continued loyalty and support has keep me thriving my first year. My fellow esthetician colleagues also deserve shout out for rooting me on to go solo and start my own facial studio. I know I’m good at my craft, but I needed that extra boost to finally take the plunge.

Website: https://avalemons.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemonloungeskincarestudio/

Image Credits
Anissa Banda

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