Today we’d like to introduce you to Selena Dotson.
Hi Selena, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Telling my story always makes me emotional, because little me would be incredibly proud of the woman I am becoming the values I carry, the heart I lead with, and the growth I’ve experienced over the years.
My love for beauty began at just 15 years old. Makeup made me feel beautiful and confident, and it quickly became my creative outlet and safe space. I spent countless hours watching my favorite YouTube makeup influencer, Aaliyah Jay, learning techniques and practicing on myself. Without realizing it at the time, I was laying the foundation for my future.
After graduating high school in 2019, I felt lost. While my friends moved on to college, I found myself working without a clear sense of purpose. Makeup remained the one thing that made me feel like myself, so in 2019 I began doing makeup professionally. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a halt.
Determined not to give up, I launched a small lash business in 2020. Like many small business owners during that time, I faced challenges limited knowledge of marketing, financial losses, and the uncertainty of the pandemic. Although the business didn’t succeed, the dream never left.
In 2021, everything changed during my first Brazilian wax appointment. In that moment, something clicked I knew this was my passion. That experience inspired me to enroll in esthetician school in 2022, and in 2023, I proudly graduated.
In 2024, I worked as a receptionist at the esthetician school Part Time, where I continued learning while navigating personal challenges, including difficult moments related to my mother’s health. There were times when I felt disconnected from myself and my passion, but I remained committed to my goals, knowing that perseverance would lead me where I was meant to be.
Today, in 2025, I am the owner of Marbella Skin Bar, working as a Solo esthetician specializing in body waxing, a brow artist, and a makeup artist. I stand here with a positive mindset, a full heart, and a deep sense of purpose. My journey has taught me that it doesn’t matter where you start or how many obstacles you face what matters is that you keep going. Work hard for your goals, live with intention, and always put God first in everything you do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I’ve had to work extremely hard to get to where I am today, and I’m still not exactly where I want to be but I trust that with God’s grace, I will get there.
Along the way, I’ve faced many personal and professional challenges. One of the hardest has been my mother’s health. She underwent her first emergency surgery in 2022 and then a second surgery in 2024. Being by her side during those difficult moments while also trying to stay focused on myself and build my business was incredibly challenging.
As a solo esthetician, balancing emotional responsibilities with the demands of entrepreneurship hasn’t been easy. There were moments of exhaustion, doubt, and feeling stretched in every direction. Through it all, God has guided me, strengthened me, and never left my side. Those struggles shaped me, grounded me, and reminded me why I started giving me the resilience to keep moving forward with faith and purpose.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Marbella Skin Bar ?
Marbella Skin Bar is more than just a business to me it’s what gives me purpose and motivates me to keep going every single day. It represents everything I’ve been building in the beauty industry and the passion behind my work as a solo esthetician.
I specialize in brow artistry, with a strong focus on creating my clients’ signature brow shape brows that enhance their natural features and reflect their individuality. I am also a body waxing specialist and a makeup artist, offering services designed to help clients feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful in their own skin.
What truly sets Marbella Skin Bar apart is the personalized experience. As a solo esthetician, I work closely with each client, taking the time to listen, educate, and tailor every service to their unique needs. The satisfaction I feel when a client sees their results and falls in love with them is indescribable. Those moments fill me with confidence, joy, and reassurance that I am exactly where I’m meant to be.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the trust I’ve built with my clients and the safe, welcoming space I’ve created. Marbella Skin Bar is rooted in care, quality, and intention. I want readers to know that my brand is about more than beauty it’s about helping people feel confident, empowered, and seen. The beauty industry has given me that feeling, and through Marbella Skin Bar, I’m honored to give it back to others.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that even in my lowest moments, God has never left my side. There were times when I questioned my life and my path, but I’ve come to understand that everything happens with purpose. God places us in certain situations to shape us, strengthen us, and prepare us for what’s next. I’ve learned to trust Him completely, because once you make it through the storm, the rainbow on the other side is always bright and beautiful.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://marbella-skin-bar.square.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marbellaskinbar/
Image Credits
Image credit to Lizbeth Perales Soto
