Meet Trailblazer Lisa Bova

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bova.

Lisa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began in the beauty industry working retail cosmetics in the early 2000s and shortly thereafter entered Esthetics school. I became a licensed Esthetician in 2005 and worked for several salons, always knowing that business ownership was my desired goal. By 2009, I was working for myself and in 2011, I opened the doors to my brick and mortar Esthetics Studio in the Columbus, Ohio area. Sadly, years in the service industry took it’s toll on me physically, and due to a chronic back injury, I sold my esthetics business in 2015.

I transitioned into manufacturing skincare in 2017, developing Arcadian Winds Beauty, the affordable luxury skincare brand that I now operate. It was a very natural transition for me, as I was always whipping up balms and butters for my clients over the years! Formulating skincare products allows me to remain in the industry that I adore while enjoying the creative process that comes with it. I feel very lucky to have been able to make a major career change at nearly 40 years old, AND to be doing it in beautiful Colorado, who’s majestic spirit inspires me daily.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It seems in business that roadblocks and obstacles always seem to show up just as I’m hitting my stride! I try not to think of setbacks as being “bad” or “negative”, but that they just ARE, that is life. With that said, staying positive through the lulls and combating self-doubt have been my biggest personal struggles in business. Starting any new business journey is a roller coaster of emotion, sometimes hour by hour! After months with seemingly no progression, you may doubt your abilities, your talents, and your goals. You may question your ambition, and even consider giving up. In our modern world, with access to everything almost instantly, sometimes we forget that these things take TIME. Building a business, like everything else that really matters, does not happen overnight. Patience and persistence go a long way in trying to achieve your business goals. It’s a daily hustle, to be sure, but just keeping at it is half the battle. Be prepared for a myriad of pitfalls in the way of disappointment, rejections, and mistakes. All of which make for great learning experiences and funny stories down the road! Surround yourself with supportive people, try not to worry too much, and JUST KEEP GOING!

Please tell us about Arcadian Winds Beauty – what should we know?
In my years of retailing professional skincare, I found that lines with great ingredients came with high price points that was not always an option for many clients. My mission for Arcadian Winds Beauty is to formulate products with the sophisticated ingredients and industry-grade materials that I’ve come to expect from professional skincare at affordable price points. Natural rich oils packed with essential fatty acids and effective botanicals and extracts are found in these concentrated and nourishing skincare products.

Minimal, eco-friendly packaging and a simple, no-frills presentation allows me to invest in the ingredients that benefit all skin types. As a 14 year licensed Esthetician, I have worked on hundreds of faces and found we all desire healthy, balanced, radiant skin. Through my knowledge and experience as a professional skin expert, that is just what I try to deliver with Arcadian Winds Beauty products.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
I’ve been lucky to work alongside many amazing women in the beauty industry over the years. Being a female-dominated industry, I was fortunate to know much business owning, hard-working, money-savvy women! I never saw my business-owning goals as far off dreams with limited opportunities because I witnessed the strength of so many established businesswomen. While there will always be a dash of drama when you are surrounded by women, for the most part, I experienced encouragement and support in my business endeavors.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.arcadianwindsbeauty.com
• Email: info@arcadianwindsbeauty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadianwindsbeauty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arcadianwindsbeauty/

Image Credit:
Lisa Bova

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.