My Story

Happy Wednesday!

I know some of your are new to this blog, so I thought it would be perfect timing to tell you more about the story behind creating my brand and becoming an esthetician. If you are someone who has heard all of this before, you may still read something new that might surprise you, so hang in there.

Many, many (too many to mention) years ago, I graduated from college in upstate New York, which is my home state. (I was born and raised in Saugerties -a small town on the Hudson River, in the Catskill Mountains.) After graduating with a BA in Human Development (I am sure you have many questions as to what this degree is, so I like to say it is psychology, but without the heavy science background), I moved to Boston, MA and then Boulder, CO,  and lived in each for one year. I worked in the childcare/after school industry while I was there and loved it. 

As part of the "boomerang generation," I ended up back in Saugerties for a year and started dating my current husband. He and I have actually known each other since we were 13, but never dated- aside from attending our first semi-formal together in the eighth grade! While I was home, my mother, who had started seeing an esthetician regularly for facials at that point, gifted me my first facial treatment and I was completely intrigued. I asked a ton of questions and the esthetician was so kind and patient to answer them all.

After being home for about a year, my husband and I decided to move to Maryland (Baltimore, to start) and I continued down the same career path for a few more years and was a creative arts instructor for an incredible non-profit organization. I absolutely loved this job, but I still had an interest in learning more about the esthetics field. So, I did my research and found out that the very first school that opened in the US, that was solely dedicated to teaching esthetics, was right here in Maryland! 

So, I took the leap! I went to school five days a week and worked nights and weekends at the front desk of a local salon. After graduating, I worked in a few different types of skincare/wellness locations- from a large scale, destination-like spa, to a small, acupuncture-based wellness center and some fabulous hair salons in between.

Within a few years of starting this new career, I knew I had found something that I absolutely loved and could do for as long as I was able. I learned so much from the women around me- from my coworkers and bosses. These women helped me to flourish once I opened my own practice. During this time, I was also exposed to skincare brands and was educated on ingredients, efficacy, marketing and sales. All of this led me to starting Rachel Ferraro Esthetics products. 

I saw what clients loved using and what they didn't. I felt like there were gaps in what I currently carried and I was lucky enough to be introduced to a creative and talented woman who I collaborate with locally to create my products. It has been such an amazing journey to be a part of. 

Rachel Ferraro Esthetics is still growing and I am thrilled to be able to offer clean, effective and hand crafted products that I feel so confident having my clients use daily. With COVID changing the skincare industry and my physical practice, I am grateful to have these to offer to my clients and to you- until I can re-open my doors. 

So, that is my very long explanation as to how I got here. I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me next. Thank you for allowing me to continue doing something I love. 

Today's quote is something I know you have heard and it is so true.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life"
-Confucious-

As always, thank you for reading.

With Gratitude-
Rachel