The Porefessionals

What happens when the business you built no longer aligns with where you want to go? In this episode of The Porefessionals, Ali and Cecia sit down with Madi Duvalois, owner of Valley Girl Skin Bar (@valleygirl.skinbar), for a conversation about starting over, navigating business transitions, and recognizing when it's time to pivot. From embracing change and rebuilding your business to navigating the constantly evolving world of social media, we're discussing what it really takes to stay relevant as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Madi, Cecia, and Ali dive into the importance of being adaptable, showing up online even when it feels uncomfortable, experimenting with new content strategies, and understanding that sometimes growth requires letting go of what used to work. Whether you're an esthetician, spa owner, or entrepreneur navigating your next chapter, this episode is a reminder that starting over doesn't mean starting from zero. Follow along: Madi Duvalois: @valleygirl.skinbar Ali Johnson: @northcountyskinsolutions Cecia Ferrin: @ccskinstudio Podcast: The Porefessionals Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Porefessionals, Ali sits down with Morgan Rackley to talk about the realities of entrepreneurship, navigating burnout, and knowing when it's time to pivot in your business. From managing the pressure to constantly show up on social media to adapting your content as trends and algorithms evolve, we're discussing what it takes to build a business that grows with you. We dive into recognizing burnout, making strategic changes without losing your brand identity, finding your voice online, and creating content that actually connects with your audience. Whether you're an esthetician, beauty professional, or business owner feeling overwhelmed by the ever-changing social media landscape, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn't always mean doing more. Sometimes, it means doing things differently. You can find Morgan on Instagram @morganrackley

What do beauty devices really cost—and how much of the price tag is technology versus branding, marketing and markup? In this episode of The Porefessionals, we're joined by the anonymous creator behind The Mark Up Report for a behind-the-scenes conversation about beauty devices, industry pricing and the business behind some of the technology estheticians and consumers use every day. We dive into why professional and at-home beauty devices can carry such dramatically different price points, what may actually influence the cost of a device, and how branding, manufacturing, distribution and marketing can impact what ultimately ends up on the price tag. We also talk about the hype surrounding beauty technology, what professionals should consider before investing in a device, and why a bigger price tag doesn't always tell you the full story. In this episode, we discuss: • Beauty device markups and pricing   • Professional vs. at-home beauty technology   • What can actually drive the cost of a device   • Branding and marketing in the beauty industry   • Why similar devices can have completely different price points   • What estheticians should consider before investing in equipment   • Beauty technology trends and industry hype   • The business behind skincare and esthetic devices If you're an esthetician, med spa professional, beauty entrepreneur or skincare enthusiast interested in the business and technology behind the beauty industry, this episode gives you a look behind the curtain with one of the industry's most intriguing anonymous voices. Follow The Porefessionals on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more conversations about esthetics, skincare, beauty technology, wellness and the business behind the beauty industry.

How do you create content that actually connects with people—and grow your brand online without feeling like you have to become someone completely different on social media? In this episode of The Porefessionals, we sit down with Elle from Create With Elle for a conversation about content creation, social media, personal branding and what it really takes to build an engaging online presence. We talk about finding your voice online, creating content people actually want to watch, showing up consistently, building trust with your audience and navigating the pressure that comes with putting yourself—and your business—on social media. If you're an esthetician, beauty professional, entrepreneur, content creator or small business owner looking to improve your social media strategy and create stronger content, this episode is packed with relatable conversation and ideas you can take into your own brand. In this episode, we talk about: • Content creation and social media strategy   • Building an authentic personal brand   • Creating engaging Instagram content   • Growing a business through social media   • Finding your voice and style as a creator   • The realities of consistently showing up online   • Marketing yourself without losing your personality   • Content creation for beauty professionals and entrepreneurs Follow The Porefessionals and subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you don't miss upcoming conversations about skincare, esthetics, beauty, wellness, business and the ever-changing beauty industry.

Korean skincare has taken over our feeds—but what makes it different, and does every K-beauty trend deserve the hype? In this episode, we share our honest thoughts on Korean skincare, multi-step routines, glass skin, trending products, and the difference between great marketing and what your skin may actually need. Whether you're an esthetician, skincare lover, or simply curious about K-beauty, this conversation will help you look beyond the trends and make more informed skincare choices. Cecia's discount code: CCSKIN https://bykinaesthetics.com/

Adapinoid is becoming one of the biggest buzzwords in skincare—but is it actually different from retinol and adapalene? In this episode, we break down what adapinoid is, why it is gaining attention in the acne and skincare world, and what estheticians and acne-prone clients should consider before adding it to a routine. We're talking through the science, the marketing, the potential benefits, and whether this trending ingredient deserves the hype.

Porefessionals is back for another season! In this episode, we're catching up on everything that happened over the summer, sharing life and business updates, and talking about what we've been up to while the podcast was on break. We also give you a look at what to expect this season, the conversations we're excited to have, and what's next for the podcast. From esthetics and skincare to business, career changes, growth, and everything happening behind the scenes, this episode is the perfect catch-up before we jump into a brand-new season. We're excited to be back — and there's a lot coming.

We are back! Season 3 (?) of the Porefessionals Podcast is back and better than ever. Cecia made an app!!! We can't wait to tell you all about it. Download it here: https://www.porevia.app/

We are here (a little unhinged) to give you our summer skincare tips. What to swap out and change in your skincare routine to help with the heat of summer. We are taking our usual summer break and will return in the fall. Have a good summer and wear your sunscreen:) 

We had a chance to sit down with Frances Edison of Blushed Ambition, a esthetic educator out of Arizona to give us her perspective on what to expect when graduating from esthetics school, where to seek extended education, and how to prepare yourself for the work force.