What do you see as an upcoming trend in the industry?
One trend that is shaping our industry is increased consumer awareness, which is being driven by access to information. Consumers are increasingly seeking quality products and treatments and realizing the benefits of professional-grade formulas. However, there is a double-edged sword to this age of information, with countless falsehoods posed as factual content floating around the internet. As information becomes more prevalent, professionals must be more diligent than ever to educate clients and uphold the integrity of our industry.

What is your biggest hope for the industry going forward?
I would like us to continue to progress towards raising the bar on professional aesthetics and putting standards in place in terms of quality of ingredients used and promises made by formulators. Keeping integrity at the forefront and bringing a set of standards to our industry will elevate our profession to another level to be recognized by consumers and the mainstream.

Do you have a company or personal motto by which you live?
A motto we live by is "Who said you have to do it that way?" We are an outside-of-the-box type of company. We have four-day work weeks with 8-hour shifts and everything manages to get done.

This style conserves energy and gives our staff plenty of time to create a lifestyle and handle weekday appointments. We also stay away from titles. It takes the entire village and no one is less than or more than. We keep our culture energized with weekly yoga and Pilates classes, fitness club memberships, companywide celebrations, ample time off to truly celebrate the holidays and New Years with friends and family, and quarterly team events. Everyone on our team is really encouraged to move, take walks, and get some sun (with sunscreen, of course) throughout the day. Our primary mantra around here is: BREATHE!

Other than your products, what are the greatest assets and strengths your company offers?
One-on-one connections - we are one of the few companies that personally answers the phone.

We also stand apart with our accessibility to materials and education. Education has been a core area of focus for Rhonda Allison Cosmeceuticals from the beginning. In fact, we have a company-wide passion for ongoing education and providing it in a way that allows aestheticians to realize their greatest potential. We have come to be known as a leader in advanced aesthetic education.

As you grew your company, did you have any significant moments of clarity that helped shape its future and course?
The most significant aha moment for me was when I realized that no matter what the challenge, it is all going to work out and nothing is ever as it seems. There truly is light darting about, showing the way.

What is the toughest decision you have had to make at your company?
One of the toughest decisions, and this is one I think many founders struggle with, is learning to let go. You are used to doing everything yourself and directing every decision, but with growth, you eventually reach a point where that simply is no longer possible or sustainable. It was one of the toughest, but also one of the best decisions to hire and then trust in our team to make decisions.

How did you come up with the name of your business?
Having a business carry my name was a long consideration, but quite honestly it happened because others had scooped up prior names and I figured that no one is going to use my name!

Do you or your company support any particular causes or charitable organizations? If so, who and why?
Rather than put our support behind just one particular group, we divide it as the need arises. We work within our community to provide assistance to individuals and families that are not recognized as a cause or charity.

Which honor or achievement are you most proud of?
The saying, "No man is an island," is very true, especially when it comes to a business. Looking back over the history of Rhonda Allison Cosmeceuticals, I am most proud of our amazing team. It is because of these talented individuals that we have achieved the growth we have; because of them we are able to provide jobs and build our Education Center. Growing as a team, being inclusive, and leading from a desire to see all do well has become our company standard.

What advice do you have for someone planning to start a career in this field?
I continually advise emerging aestheticians to stay committed to what they are doing. Success is always attainable and will come if you have passion, knowledge, and are willing to put in the time and effort. Immerse yourself in education. Be unique and unwavering in who you are. Always remain true to yourself and maintain an attitude of success and optimism. Do not allow competition to sideline you. Concentrate on doing your best work and giving clients the results they want. Remember you are the driving force behind your success.

You wear so many hats in this industry. What is your secret to keeping life in balance and enjoying the journey?
My secret to maintaining balance and enjoying the journey is to practice presence and stillness. I have discovered it is not about doing more, but about being in each moment. Freedom from yesterday and tomorrow has given me more clarity for today and that brings balance. I can honestly say that whatever I am doing in the moment is my greatest treasure.

Can you share something that most people wouldn't know about you?
I don't like mice, but I do love the movie Ratatoullie!

How and where do you find inspiration?
The passionate people I am surrounded with on a daily basis continually inspire me. We have top educators throughout the country who continue to amaze me, and who work to support other spa owners and aestheticians grow their businesses and develop their skill. I am also inspired by our clients. We love to see and hear their success stories of the lives they are affecting.

Who does it right in Hollywood?
Well, we have a long list of Hollywood stars seeing our Master Aestheticians and using our systems. However, we never tell.

If you could treat one person, who would it be?
There are so many! Whenever I see unhappy skin on the big screen, I want to get my hands on them, especially close ups on singers like Rhianna. She has beautiful skin, but often entertainers who are in constant motion under hot spotlights and bold makeup for the stage tend to get congested skin. I would love to be able to clean up that congestion and get them back to smooth, healthy skin! On the men's side, I would love to perform a few peels on Brad Pitt and get him on a nightly retinol eye serum to get back the Brad we knew in "Legends of the Fall."

What is your daily skin care ritual?
I have a fairly simple ritual. Since I have been getting at least one peel each year for more than 30 years, my skin has maintained its freshness. I am challenged with aging and inflammation, so I use a cleanser that lifts from the surface, but does not over-stimulate; it also maintains hydration. Following my evening cleanse, I either apply a retinaldehyde/peptide serum and eye occlusive or I alternate with a peptide serum with growth factor. During the day, I wear an omega/avocado oil serum (Rhonda Allison Infuse 7) and antioxidant serum (Rhonda Allison AGEless) followed by an anti-inflammatory cream and tinted SPF (Rhonda Allison Sheer Tint Finisher). My finish is a touch of natural, healthy color. That's it!