Meet Starasia Abraham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Starasia Abraham

Hi Starasia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I initially moved to Texas from Japan with some friends to go to college and become a Neurosurgeon I got my first job running three counters (murad, coverfx, and smash box) but I couldn’t afford grad school after my scholarship got taken away due to “budget cuts” as I got more involved with the beauty industry I changed course and I ended up getting my degree in chemical engineering minoring in chemistry and business with the intention of working for L’Oréal as a cosmetic chemist.. when I was in collage the beauty industry wasn’t as inclusive as they are starting to be now and I kind of got fed up so my Jr year of college I got my esthetics license and decided to also open a spa that catered to skin of color with concerns they didn’t understand or who weren’t able to get the help they were looking for.

A little before I graduated both programs I worked for Loreal brands, dermatologist, google, and some surgeons trying to soak up all the back end and front end knowledge I could. Once I felt I was ready I opened my Lab in Dallas, Sabrena experience where I formulate and manufacture cosmetics, skincare, and haircare for beauty startups at an affordable price. 6 months later I opened my first studio in Dallas (Lakewood area) then a few months later the second in Houston. The goal for the spas now is to turn them into 2-in-1’s so beauty and culture schools for esthetician’s, nail techs, and massage therapist while maintaining the spa and growing services. The first school should open in Houston fall of 2022 It’s been fun so far and I’m sure as we continue to grow more amazing ideas will come to play!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not! My experience in esthetic school was terrible. A lot of people don’t know this but I was actually expelled from my first school for standing up for myself against sexual assault. The second school I went to was worse they tried to kick me out the first week because I wanted a school and spa just like them and they didn’t want to teach me how to get there…it was weird and the entire program my teacher and the staff would do everything they could to discourage me but still I rise lol, I got through it and it definitely taught me what not to do when it comes to opening the stem skin institute. I’m grateful for both experiences. and don’t get me started on balancing a full-time engineering degree with a full-time esthetics program. 1/10 would recommend

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in, Skin of color, Corrective Skincare, and body treatments. My favorite thing about what I do is educating! I love educating clients on ingredients and helping long term acne or hyperpigmentation clients learn what the heck is happening to their skin and how we can lift and/ or manage it! It’s most fun seeing the progress even after their first appointment I’ll have people crying because they’ve never seen such a difference before laying on my bed it’s amazing and so heartwarming every time. I’m most proud of being able to maintain and open two locations, people don’t truly understand how much hard work it is to run one business let alone two completely separate business with multiple locations. I’m so grateful for my clientele whenever I think about just taking a pause, they remind me why I can’t

What does success mean to you?
Success to me at this stage in my life looks like being able to do what you know in your heart you’re meant to do and impacting lives. Maybe when I was in middle school, I would’ve said MONEY! Ha, I’m not successful until I live next to Beyoncé in a multibillion-dollar home but that’s really not even close to how I look at things as an adult, it’s all about Heart work for me.

Pricing:

• Custom facial $200
• Custom advance facial $275
• Memberships – $175-350 monthly
• Model days in both Dallas and Houston are $100
• Body treatments start at $200

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Melapop.co
• Instagram: Melapopco
• Facebook: Melapop co-op and spa
• Twitter: Melapopco_
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCNGIYtYTdTlrTuqo1-5O0eg
• Other: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17888394