MOB Spotlight: Debbie of SkinSense Spa

Debbie is a mom of two and the owner of SkinSense Spa in Lake Oswego. After finishing esthetician school, she worked at another spa, but a disappointing experience there led her to open her own business. Debbie has hosted a MOB meet up at her spa in addition to generously providing space for other MOB businesses to leave their cards. She has also collaborated with several MOBs to hold events at her spa.

She’s a proud mom of two older kids. “My kids are my brag, my pride, and my world!  Every decision I make in life and business is with them in mind,” she says.

Debbie was born overseas and says she sort of speaks Cantonese. She’s also an avid traveler. “I love travel, adventures, and thrills!” On the other hand, she says she is naturally quiet by nature and prefers to observe from the background. She’s also a lover of fashion and puppies. “If I had the property, I would adopt every abandoned dog I find,” she says.

Debbie doesn’t have a specific mentor, but says she has many strong women friends and MOBs in her life. “I pick and choose strengths I see and learn from their strengths,” she explains.
She says her biggest struggle has depended on where she is in her business. “In the beginning, it was ‘How the heck am I going to do this?’ then it was ‘I need to have my own space!’  Now the struggle is in marketing and finding practitioners who will be the best fit for the spa.”

Debbie advises new business owners to take responsibility for their mistakes and to learn from them. She also says “Don't be a follower. And you have to be very passionate, but not pushy, about your business, because clients can feel the difference between passion and pushy.”


She says her biggest accomplishments are her kids. But she is also very proud of her passion to continue, and do well, even when others told her she wouldn’t amount to much. “I said, hmmm, that sounds like a challenge! And I’m doing it!”
Debbie loves being a MOB and the support she finds. “It is a diverse group of amazing, talented, and GIVING moms!”
She also loves the freedom of working for herself. “No one is breathing down my neck, whether I succeed or fail, I am in complete control,” she explains.

Debbie says her ideal referral is someone who wants to learn more about caring for their skin and finding the best products for it.  Debbie’s passion for educating around skin care is well-known in the MOB, so it isn’t a surprise that she loves to work with people who want to build a long-term relationship with their skin care therapist. 
 
You can find Debbie online at:

website: SkinSense Spa, LLC
Instagram: spalakeoswego
Twitter: @facialslo
Facebook: skinsensemobilespa