Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Orshoski.
Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After graduating high school, I went off to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. During my time at Liberty, I found that every other year I was changing my major, just trying to find something that I truly cared about and that brought me joy. Unfortunately, that did not happen for me. After 3½ years, I decided to drop out, which was not my proudest moment, but deep down I knew it wasn’t where I was supposed to be.
After moving back home, I enrolled in aesthetic school and haven’t looked back since. I’ve been in the industry for almost 12 years. I have worked in med spas, resort spas, hair salons, and everything in between. In 2020, I took a job in my hometown of Culpeper, right on Davis Street. After 5 years of building and growing there, the Lord laid it on my heart to take a leap of faith and go out on my own—something I had sworn for years I would never do. But His plans are always greater than ours. And I am so glad that I jumped in headfirst despite all the fears and uncertainty. The relationships I’ve built with my clients and the growth I’ve experienced personally, have been so much more rewarding that I could have imagined. I truly feel blessed to serve each and every client that walks into my studio.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say opening a small business is more of a roller-coaster ride than a smooth road. I do have to give a huge shout-out to my husband, Clay. He has really helped me every step of the way, and without his support my dreams would never have come to fruition. The clientele I have built over the years is also something dreams are made of. I truly have the most loyal, dedicated, and steadfast clients, who have made such a big transition not so daunting and have shown up for me more than I thought possible. I would have to say the biggest struggle for me is social media and just promoting myself in general. I’d much rather just have you lie on my table and let my work speak for itself than to speak about my work and myself 😅
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
When I opened Pure Skin Sanctuary, I knew I wanted my clients to have a clean, professional, and relaxing experience from the moment they booked their appointment to the time they checked out.
I am committed and passionate about treating clients holistically. When I do consultations with my clients, I’m not only addressing their skin concerns—I also want to know what their diet is like, what their sleep is like, and what their stress levels are like so that I can treat them accordingly and educate them appropriately. I am truly treating the mind, body, and spirit.
I often joke with my clients about being the “black sheep” of estheticians because I go against the grain and the trends that come and go in the skincare industry. I don’t believe in anti-aging, and I don’t think we need to fear the sun—which is really a hot take as an esthetician. I believe our skin was designed with intelligence, and when properly cared for, both internally and externally, minimal intervention is needed.
I am also very passionate about a low-toxin lifestyle in general, and I carry that forward in my treatment room—from the products I use in service all the way down to the detergent I use for the laundry. Everything has been thoughtfully chosen to be free of hormone disruptors, fragrances, and any unnecessary chemicals that will, in the long term, cause more damage than good.
I specialize in custom facials and have partnered with Botnia Skincare out of Sausalito, California, which I cannot sing enough praises about. They are also a holistic company, and their products are made by human hands in a lab from ingredients that have been harvested on-site on their micro-farm and from surrounding farmers who are committed to not using any pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.
All that to say, I opened and am operating Pure Skin Sanctuary very thoughtfully and intentionally. In this world and economy, I don’t take it lightly when clients choose to spend their time and money booking with me. I want to make sure that by the time they leave, they feel it was worth every penny and that they truly felt cared for.
I didn’t open this business with money-making in mind. I really wanted a space where I had control over the care each client receives—where they leave feeling refreshed, not like someone has picked them apart, but rather built them up and made them feel comfortable and confident in their skin just as it is. I also wanted to create a quiet space where they can simply be. I truly wanted to create a sanctuary for people to retreat to
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be completely authentic. Being honest and true to yourself will always be more rewarding and fulfilling than trying to fit into a box that was never made for you in the first place.
The second most important lesson I have learned is that there is always room for growth and always more to learn. It would be foolish to think that at any point we know it all and have all the answers. Being honest when you don’t know something, and circling back once you’ve done the research, is essential. When you operate from a place of authenticity and integrity, your clients can feel that—and that’s how you grow and maintain loyalty and trust.
Pricing:
- Pure Skin 60 Minute Facial – $135
- Pure Skin 90 Minute Facial- $175
- Pure Skin 120 Minute Facial – $225
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/pureskinsanctuary
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ee36qxWrm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
