Today we’d like to introduce you to Yrimu Karuga.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I dreamed of being a salon owner since I could remember. When I moved to the US in 2015, I knew I had to pursue my dream, it was now or never. After a few months of contemplating, I enrolled in an Esthetic program and graduated seven months later. I worked as an esthetician for two and a half years at Hand and Stone massage and facial spa until I knew it was time to venture on my own. There was no more growth opportunities for me in employment so the next step was going to be entrepreneurship. It was a very scary thing to start, felt like I was free falling from a plane. I did it afraid because I wanted to give my clients the one-on-one attention they couldn’t get elsewhere.
I saw how skincare helped me get confidence to wear my natural skin when I followed a quality regimen. My goal is to help people wear their natural skin with confidence through providing customized treatments, product recommendation and skin consultations. My joy is to see every one of my clients achieve their skincare goals and maintain these goals through a quality regimen.
Asili Spa is a serene environment where you can relax and zone out as Dee takes you through your customized treatment which is results driven and did I mention very relaxing?
Has it been a smooth road?
Business is a roller coaster. You have some high days then you have some low, low days. It humbles you! But there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. When I launched, I had an overwhelming support. People retweeted, shared and made my launch video go viral! The “I’m so proud of you” were many. Now, translating those into actual clients, yeah, that has not been easy at all. I have gone for a week straight without any client at all. I have a also had a day with five clients! As soon as I launched the business, I lost my job at hand and Stone which made me seriously financially unstable. I have had to hustle hard to balance out all the financial needs of my life. Getting your business out there and to the right people is a journey I am learning everyday! I still haven’t met my goal clientele but I am working towards it.
A roller coaster is what business is, and I’m loving every excruciating minute of it. *insert nervous smile emoji*
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Asili Spa story. Tell us more about the business.
Asili is Swahili for ‘natural’ or ‘heritage’. Asili Spa provides results-driven customized solutions for your skin so you can have the confidence to wear your natural skin. I use cosmeceutical grade products including Rhonda Allison, Clarity RX and Dermalogica for my customized facials. I also recommend the same products to my clients. I also offer microdermabrasion and LED treatments as enhanced add on to the customized facial. I also offer hair removal services using Nufree which is a no wax- wax. Nufree is a soy-based botanical hair removal product. It does not stick to the skin, thus pains less.
What sets me apart is the fact that I only use cosmeceutical grade products which are result driven, everyone gets a facial that is customized to their skin needs and goals. I believe in treating everyone who walks into my spa with utmost respect and value.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I foresee great growth and I’m working towards it. I hope to expand into a bigger salon and in about 7-8 years, be ready to franchise. In the next five years, I will be working on my own cosmeceutical grade product line to better serve my clients.
Pricing:
- Customized facials at $60
- Microdermabrasion and LED at $80
Contact Info:
- Address: 665 W Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Irving TX, 75063 suite 208
- Website: www.spaasili.com
- Phone: (214)560-5680
- Email: dee@spaasili.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dee_spaasili
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/asili-spa
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
