Meet Cindy Hendricks | Aesthetician

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

Hi Cindy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
All of my training taught me the protocols for skincare, the skills necessary to run my own business and to be professional, so when I started MDH Skincare, I felt prepared in these areas. I was the utmost professional. I had a white lab coat, all of my products lined up and engaged with my clients in a very professional tone and started to build my clientele. I took marketing classes, started networking, took advanced training courses, bought fancy machines, tried new product lines and anything I could think of to grow my business. And although all of those things are important, I didn’t feel I was connecting with my clients, and to be perfectly honest, I don’t think my clients felt a connection to me. One day the light went on – I realized I was trying too hard to be the aesthetician, the business owner, the professional. So I gave myself permission to be me, not someone I thought I had to be. I shared my life with my clients, the embarrassing moments, the joys and sorrows and they suddenly felt comfortable sharing theirs with me. My treatments became more of an experience then a treatment. My clients would jokingly text me “I need a counseling appointment, when are you available?” I remember sharing that I had found a pair of earrings to wear to my daughter’s wedding at the flea market for $1.00 and that they were bird cages. That client almost fell off the table laughing then later told me she hunted down a pair of bird cage earrings to wear to her son’s wedding! My clients started sharing their experience with their friends and that’s when things took off. Who knew it would be so simple: Be You! We’re the best we have! What we as aestheticians do is very personal, an exchange of energy and if that flow is blocked, it’s just a facial.

What should our readers know about your business?
I created MDH Skincare in 2007 out of a passion for great skincare ingredients, products and treatments. I partnered with YonKa Paris early on to enhance our skincare experiences with phyto aromatic scents. I feel I have created an atmosphere that encourages self care and self love. Surviving COVID shutdowns was definitely a challenge, however, I used that time to paint and redecorate my spa. I also went to the spa everyday to learn something whether it was to test new ingredients, take classes on line or to just sit in the space for inspiration. It was time well spent. There is no lost time if you stay engaged in learning something.
I would want the world to know that walking into MDH Skincare gives you a skincare experience, not just a treatment. And what that experience is, is unique to the energy created between us. Yes we have protocols, but who you are and what you need in your soul is just as important as crafting a Bespoke Facial.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Welcome to Ventura, California! Let’s start off with a morning hike in Harmon Canyon Nature Reserve. It’s a beautiful way to start the day then we can take a walk downtown where there are quaint little shops like Fiddle & Fern, Plum, Findings Market and Folke. Great lunch spots like Lure, Finney’s and a variety of brew pubs.
Ventura’s Botanical Gardens is a must with views of the California coastline, agricultural vistas, the Channel Islands and Ojai’s Topa Tope Mountains.
Ventura Marina is a beautiful place to take a walk, and to pop over to the beach.
A visit to Ojai will not disappoint. A spa day at Ojai Valley Inn, dinner at Duchess or the best burrito on the planet at Ojai Tortilla House.
Drinks at Cocktail Trust and Model Citizen.
A performance at Namba Studio and perhaps a concert at the legendary Ventura Theater.
And the highlight of the week is the Flea Market Wednesdays at the Ventura County Fairgrounds!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My daughter Madison! She has always been herself and never needed permission to do so. She followed her dreams, as crazy as they were at times, without apology. She inspired me to do the same. She’s my model, consultant and confidant. I actually named by business after her (MDH Skincare – Madison Dean Hendricks). I think her fun life stories kept my clients coming back as often as they did because they would want to hear another crazy story of what Madison was up to. I remember dying her eyebrows black in middle school. Not a good look. I tried my new microdermabrasion machine on her right before a ballet class and she came out of class with red stripes all over her face. Again, not a good look. After a few more of these experiences, I used to have to beg her to let me give her a treatment. Now, when she comes home to visit, she will say “Can I have 4 facials this trip?” and she’s only home for 2 weeks. As she got older, she would tell me about new procedures to look into and they were always great tips and they have expanded my practice and success. In many ways, my 18 year career as an aesthetician was a bonding experience with Madison. So, thanks girl for all that you contribute to my life!

Website: mdhskincare.com

Yelp: MDH Skincare

Image Credits
William Hendricks