Community Highlights: Meet Katherine Stribakos of scrub me skin care

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Stribakos.

Hi Katherine, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
At 19, I attended the Aveda Institute in Chicago to become an esthetician, and there, my interest in essential oils and plant-derived ingredients began. Shortly after graduating and starting my first job working at a day spa, I decided I wanted to use my education and small bit of knowledge about plant-based ingredients to make skincare for my body that could address some issues I was experiencing. At that time (in 2011), most body care products, especially the ones offered at the place I worked, made my skin itchy, left me with a stinging sensation, and the fragrance gave me a headache. When I did find body care that didn’t bother my skin, it didn’t seem to do much to help my dryness, bumps, textured stretch marks, and red spots. This led me to start making my own scrubs, soaps, and shea butter moisturizers. I started sharing these items with friends and peers, and popularity grew! Eventually, my skincare items and skincare services as an esthetician gained enough popularity in Chicago that I could leave the spa I was working at and open up my skincare studio where I sold my items and worked as a solo esthetician. Over the past 8 years of working for myself, I have expanded my knowledge as an esthetician and have become an expert in skincare ingredients, gua sha facial massage, lymphatic drainage facial massage, and other facial massage therapies. In my skincare studio, I customize facials combining these holistic therapies and professional skincare therapies to help my clients achieve their skincare goals. My husband and I recently decided to uproot our city lives in Chicago and trade it for more nature in Colorado, so I bravely closed my fully booked skincare studio in Wicker Park, Chicago and opened up a space in Boulder, CO!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a business owner is definitely a challenge! I have had to become super resilient throughout the years. There have been many tears, and quite a few times I felt that I wanted to quit or couldn’t bear the workload any longer. But the love for what I do and my business always keeps me going.

A few times I can recall that were very big struggles:
The first time I got a large wholesale order for my body scrubs and body butters, I was super excited. I stayed up late the night before, finishing packaging and labeling all the products, and was very stressed but proud of myself and happy that all my hard work of promoting the product was finally paying off. I drove to the business, delivered the large box of product, and collected my check! Not long after delivering the order, I got a call from the business saying they needed to return all of the items and get their money back because none of the items had seals on them. I didn’t know I needed that! I was so new to the skincare product business that I didn’t research or think of the important details, like a seal that prevents people from opening a retail product and contaminating it. I was so embarrassed and felt ashamed I had delivered them the product they deemed as unsellable; I had to go back into the business, pick up my skincare, and return their check. Then I cried the whole drive home. I wanted to quit and felt I had wasted time and money. But instead, I invested in a product seals and better packaging.

One other time I want to highlight is the first year I did my taxes for my business. It was my first year operating as an actual business! I had been working crazy hours, put in a ton of effort, and it paid off; I had brought in some decent money. I procured an accountant and made an appointment for them to help me sort out my money and taxes owed for the year. I was in my mid-twenties at the time and honestly did not understand finances in the least. At the end of this tax meeting, I realized I would be left with next to nothing in my business bank account after all my payments! This was another moment that made me pause and think, “Why am I even doing all this?”. So yes, I hadn’t brought in as much money for myself as I thought, and it was super discouraging, but I kept on working and got more organized with my finances and began to understand that side of the business. Quarterly payments and meetings with my accountant became regular practice. Now there are no more tax surprises.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
scrub me skin care is my company I own and operate with the help of a couple of family members. I am an esthetician with a skincare studio in Boulder, CO, where I provide specialty facial massage and facial services, and I have my own skincare line as well. I use my skincare knowledge to create cold process soap recipes and other body care items that really benefit your skin, treat any skin issues, and benefit the overall health of your skin (unlike some other commercial body care items).

My motto is “everything you need and nothing you don’t”. Meaning that I choose ingredients and skincare treatments that help you reach your skin’s best health. I think about skincare intentionally and don’t want us to absorb chemical or harmful ingredients that aren’t beneficial for our skin or bodies.

As an esthetician, I set myself apart from the rest by providing next-level service and skincare support that will lead my clients to healthy, radiant, glowing skin! I’ll answer questions about at-home skincare routines and help clients create an at-home routine they are happy with. I customize your facial each time you come in to address exactly what you need at the time, and keep diligent notes so we can see progress. In my studio, I provide specialty facial massage (gua sha and more), curated skincare, LED therapy, nano-infusion, dermaplaning, and more. It’s the most beneficial and relaxing experience!

I want scrub me to be a place where you can purchase amazing products with both quality and plant-based ingredients, get great skincare education, and receive the most unique and relaxing facial. And leave glowing!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I guess if I think about it, I don’t believe in good luck or bad luck. I believe in right timing and wrong timing. And I believe what you put out in the world will come back around to you at some point.

There have been a few times in my business when I really wanted something or had been working towards something that didn’t pan out. Like in 2019 in Chicago, when I spent time looking for a storefront to lease, I thought that was the best move for my business. The space I picked out and started paperwork on ended up falling through, and last minute, I had to settle for a salon suite space instead. At the time, it seemed awful, but less than 6 months later, COVID came and if I had owned a storefront, it might have ended my business. An example of right and wrong timing. It wasn’t the right time for me to own a storefront, but I didn’t know it yet.

The other point I touched on is “what you put out in the world will come back around”. So I focus on leading my life and making decisions about my business from a place of positivity and genuineness. In the end, I feel at peace when people are happy and they feel good about themselves, so I make decisions that are on that path. When I’m true to myself and my vision, good things always come around. It’s not good luck, it’s the positivity and prosperity from the universe.

Pricing:

• signature facial massage: $145
• gua sha facial: $110
• facial consultation: FREE
• everything facial (includes LED) $240
• custom express facial $90

Contact Info:

• Website: https://scrubmespa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scrubmeskincare/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scrubmespa/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@scrubmeskincare
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/scrub-me-skin-care-boulder
• Other: https://scrub-me.com/scrubmesecrets-blog