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

Hi Amy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
While working in a dermatology office in south OC I noticed there weren’t many people of color that went in to treat skin conditions or get facials. Many people in our underprivileged communities weren’t taught how to care for our skin because it’s almost seen as a selfish luxury. I myself didn’t know the importance of taking care of my skin until I worked at that same office.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am an aesthetician based in Whittier and have been in practice for 6 years. I proudly offer affordable deluxe facial services that otherwise would be out of price reach for the beautiful faces in our communities. I was fortunate to get invaluable experience working in a dermatology office in Irvine,CA for 12 years. That is where my love for skincare took off! I decided to leave the practice and start my own business where I could offer not only good skincare services, but also good skincare advice to people who share my similar background.

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.
If my best friend was visiting the area from out of town for a week I would definitely take them to a Dodger game, eat at Ortega’s in La Mirada, have a beer or two at Garden’s in Pico, for sure stop for pastrami at Jim’s (the one on passons), go for a walk at Heritage Park in SFS. Have a picnic at Redondo Beach, and of course end the week shopping and listening to oldies at the Santa Fe Springs/La Mirada Swapmeet where the vibe is chill and it takes me back to when I would go there with my friends as a teenager.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this his shout out to all the curious daydreamers, the single mamas that don’t know how they get through each day, and of corse my Family

Instagram: @porvidaskincare

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.