Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarika Diaz.
Hi Sarika, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in a mixed culture home with my mother being Chinese and my father being American. Both of my parents were very strict on us kids growing up and valued higher education. My mother was a nurse, and my father a former Marine Core PFC and BioChemistry Ph.D. As a teenager, I was Independant and stubborn, and naturally my parents had a difficult time with that. I had expressed interest in the cosmetology program in high school but my parents wouldn’t allow me to join. I remember my mom saying “That’s not a real job; you need to go to real school” I moved out of my parents’ home when I was 17 to follow my high school sweetheart to San Antonio. I came home (to Houston) to visit family during the holidays and one of my Aunties asked how I was doing. I told her I hated working my retail job and knew I wanted to go to school but didn’t know if college was right for me. She suggested I look into Esthetician school. At the time she owned a busy day spa in the Heights, and I used to work summer jobs there in high school. I went back to San Antonio and enrolled at VOGUE beauty college. During my schooling I fully emerged myself in all thing’s skincare and beauty. I also worked a full-time job as a receptionist at a local salon/spa. I graduated and became a Texas Licensed Esthetician in Dec 2009. I was determined to prove to my patents that even though I didn’t go to traditional college that I could still be successful.
I quickly began working in an established upscale full-service salon/spa and built a loyal clientele. Summer of 2013, I decided to move back to Houston and broke up with my then boyfriend. I began working at Urban Retreat Salon and Spa but sadly lost my job when they went out of business. It was then I decided to further my education and go back to school to receive my Laser Licenses. In the Fall of 2014, I became a Licensed Laser Professional.
Now being a dual-licensed professional opened many more doors for me. I began working in a Medical Spa performing Aesthetic laser treatments and corrective skincare treatments. This is when I felt like I truly began to bloom as an Aesthetician and fell in love with the life-changing results I could help my clients achieve. I was fortunate enough to work for a Medical spa who’s sister company was a laser school, so I had easy access to all the continuing education courses I desired. I worked for that Medical Spa for 6.5 years and became their Esthetics department head and was in charge of onboarding and teaching new hires. I also began assisting with teaching and supervising students in the school. Many times clients would ask me when I was going to open my own office. Or my Husband would say, “You work too hard for someone else who doesn’t appreciate you. You look into opening your own place” I would just shake my head and say “I don’t want the stress” but After working there for so many years I decided to challenge myself and seek other opportunities.
I began working for an award-winning Physician and Plastic surgery office in Greenway Plaza. Here, I learned so many more things about the skin, surgical procedures, cosmetic injections, and how to run a profitable business aesthetics practice. While working for the surgeon, I began to miss teaching. My position at the plastics office was very demanding and didn’t allow me much time to explore other teaching opportunities outside of work. This is when I seriously thought to myself about opening my own skincare clinic where I could focus on providing the best treatments for my clients while allowing myself to train and educate others. I decided to take another job at another Medical Spa that was less demanding to allow myself to focus on my end goal of opening my own office. In May 2022, I began teaching part-time at La Vida Aesthetics Institute and was happy to be back in the classroom teaching aspiring Aesthetics professionals.
In April 2023, I made my dream came true- True Skin Aesthetics was born! True Skin Aesthetics is a boutique skincare clinic with a focus on science-backed treatment plans. Founded by me (Sarika Diaz) Licensed Aesthetician, Laser professional, and Laser Instructor. Having over 15 years experience in the beauty industry, I am a multicultural skincare specialist who has devoted countless hours to learning the intricacies of skin of color. True Skin Aesthetics offers a wide range of corrective skincare treatments, from Facials, Chemical Peels, and laser skin rejuvenation. All treatments are customized biased on the clients’ unique concerns, lifestyle, and needs. I strive to create a welcoming and open space for all people. I truly believe that it is a transformative experience when someone can feel comfortable in their true skin. It touches my heart when I’ve had clients tell me how much I’ve helped them feel beautiful and more confident because their skin is healthier and clearer. My passion and purpose give me motivation to keep pushing.
I’m thankful to my husband and clients for believing in me long before I ever believed in myself. Entrepreneurship has its challenges, highs and lows, but overall, it’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life. I’m proving to myself what I’m capable of even when I doubt myself. Putting myself in challenging situations and seeing what growth comes of it.
Since opening True Skin Aesthetics, I’ve also become a freelance Chemical Peel Trainer for GlyTone. Traveling with the GlyTone local area sales Rep to help teach GlyTone partner accounts proper peeling techniques and products.
I have also been selected as a guest speaker at this year’s Science of Skincare Summit in Austin, TX. Science of Skincare Summit is a premier CE-accredited industry conference devoted to skincare ingredients, regimen building, business best practices, and more. I’m excited to see where these opportunities will take me and my new business. This is only the beginning of what True Skin Aesthetics can be, and I hope to expand in the future!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road! I keep trying to remind myself that “all things worthwhile do not come easy.” I’ve encountered several obstacles over the years. First off Self-doubt is something I struggle with. I’ve worked a lot on the way I “talk” to myself. Over the years, I’ve had to prove to myself what I’m capable of. Trying to put myself in situations what would challenge me and where I could grow. Second off I’ve struggled with lack of support system. I moved out at a young age and spent many years not speaking to my parents. I’m fortunate that over the years I’ve had some extended family and friends (who are like family) help me when I’ve needed them. I’m also married now, and my husband is my biggest cheerleader and supporter. I don’t know where or what I would have done some days without them. Third, of course, financing is always a challenge. It never seems like there is enough money to go around, especially in today’s economy. The startup cost for a med spa is big. I tried my best to prioritize my spending by starting small and building over time. Spending where I thought was most important, the technology and products I use. There are many other challenges that have come up, but I do my best to roll with the punches and adapt.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about True Skin Aesthetics?
Thinking of the name for my business was a challenge. I remember I carried a notebook in my purse for over a year. I would randomly scribble down ideas and thoughts for my future business. I had a page full of possible names. The name “True Skin Aesthetics” didn’t come to me until about a month before I filed my official business paperwork. I wanted the name to reflect me as a person, my values, and how I wanted clients to feel. To me True Skin Aesthetics’ name is multifaceted.
True Skin Aesthetics mission and values lay in its name “True”.
True has many definitions relaying to virtues of the True Skin Aesthetics brand.
True [troo]
to be real; genuine; authentic:
sincere; not deceitful:
exact; precise; accurate; correct:
firm in allegiance; loyal; faithful; steadfast:
exact or accurate formation, position, or adjustment:
The name summarises everything I stand for as an individual and how I want to conduct my business. In an honest and genuine fashion. I never want clients to feel like they are being “sold”. Instead I want to educate them as to why I believe treatment plans would benefit them based on genuine recommendations. I want clients to know that I am dedicated to helping them along their skincare journey and I see them as people not dollar signs. I also want to perform these treatments with extreme attention to detail and care. I understand the level of trust someone has to give me with treating their skin.
I also want people to know that I place an emphasis on continued education. The aesthetics industry is rapidly changing with advancements in science and technology. I am dedicated to keeping up with the latest in science-backed treatments. I never want clients to feel that I’m just trying to do “fluffy” treatments. I want to provide real-life, tangible results and educate them along the way so they can feel comfortable receiving treatments.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My independence, and unwillingness to settle. Also, that I am a caring individual who can build meaningful client relationships. I’m a strong communicator and enjoy educating anyone who will listen about skincare. haha
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trueskinaestheticshtx.com/
- Instagram: @TrueSkinAestheticsHTX
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trueskinaestheticshtx
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/true-skin-aesthetics-houston?osq=true+skin
