Hi friends! My name is Gabby and I am the owner + founder behind ‘ili essentials!
My journey of esthetics and how it came about is probably very relatable to many. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would pursue specialty skincare. In fact, I was under the impression that I would create, own + operate my own pet boarding facility due to my extensive history working with animals — which is actually what I did end up doing prior to where I am at now.
Within my later years of high school, I began working as a receptionist at a well-known medical spa in my local area. This was my introduction into the industry. I enjoyed the serene “spa” lifestyle and the serendipitous reward of result-oriented treatments. Prior to learning any knowledge surrounding the skin — I was that girl who never understood skin routines + regimens, went to sleep with my make-up on, and barely cleansed over the bacteria-ridden residue the morning after. And although you'd be thinking “nice spa, nice perks — why not indulge the field?” It still was not enough to intrigue me with pursuing my own esthetic career.
Fast forward to today — I am a skin specialist working independently in my own practice + continuing to abundantly grow the vision of my company + all the aspects surrounding it. WHAT?! A complete shocker to me also. What truly pulled my heart into this industry was undergoing a severe battle with acne personally in my earlier adult years. When I thought my skin would have all concerns voided, the skin concerns were just beginning. So THAT was enough. Being young and thinking that the appearance of my skin was all that really mattered, I became licensed Esthetician and went on to work for Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons, determined to find the answer to my struggle. This is not the case for everyone, but for myself — I was under the scrutiny of abrasive prescriptions + topicals for quite some time and it was unfortunately leading to more harsh and damaging affects in my skin long term.
With all that to be said, I finally left the medical side of esthetics, which benefited my career well (and always will be thankful for), realized beauty is FAR MORE than skin deep, and went out to begin my own business touching not only the skin, but the lives of others. I am where I was always meant to be — in an industry that is extremely rewarding and geared around giving back to others. That is truly what fuels my fire, and pulls on my heart strings.
As for where my business goes from here..? Well, that is a loaded question you're going to have to stick around for. This year is a year of unparalleled intention that I believe will bring my business and I ten-fold. Something I have diligently been striving towards is the continued expansion + duplication of my brand, allowing me and my peers to join together, and give back to our community and others around us in a significant way. I hope that for whatever it is worth, my words + story encourages someone to go out, at whatever age and in whatever season, to pursue the dreams and desires of their inspired heart.
