Check Out Riley Zavodney’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley Zavodney.

Hi Riley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey into esthetics honestly wasn’t something I had planned from the beginning. I was attending Kent State University studying sign language, and during COVID, when everything was shut down and we were all spending a lot of time at home, I started doing a lot of research into skincare. I became really interested in learning how the skin works and how different treatments and products can actually make a difference.

I started looking into esthetician schools just out of curiosity, and the more I learned, the more I realized that this was something I really wanted to pursue. I ended up making the pretty big decision to leave Kent State before my last semester and enroll in esthetician school instead. I finished my program in about six months, earned my advanced esthetician license, and immediately started working at The Spa at Glenmoor.

I recently celebrated my four-year anniversary at the spa, which is honestly crazy to think about! I’ve grown so much since I first started, and I’m now the Head esthetician as well as the Assistant Manager of the spa. It definitely wasn’t the path I originally pictured for myself, but I’m so grateful I took that chance and followed something that I was genuinely excited about.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! I think any career comes with its challenges, especially when you’re starting out and trying to figure out exactly where you fit. Leaving college and changing career paths was a big decision for me, and there were definitely moments when I questioned whether I had made the right choice. Starting in a completely new field and building my clientele and confidence took time.

As I’ve grown in my career, taking on more responsibility and stepping into a management role has brought its own challenges too. I’ve had to learn a lot along the way, not only about skincare and being an esthetician, but also about leadership, communication and managing a team. Looking back, though, I think the difficult parts have been some of the most valuable. They’ve pushed me to grow both personally and professionally, and I’m really proud of how far I’ve come in the last four years.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an Advanced Esthetician, and I provide a wide range of services including customized and specialty facials, advanced facials, full-body waxing, spray tanning, lash and brow services, enhancements and more. I really love helping people understand their skin and figure out what is actually going on with it, rather than just treating the surface.

I work with a pretty wide range of clients, from girls in their early teens to women later in life, and I love that every client and every skin type is different. I would say I specialize most in full-body waxing and customized skincare and facials. I really enjoy being able to personalize a service based on what each client needs and helping them feel more confident in their skin.

What I’m most proud of is how much I’ve grown since I started this career. I started out as a brand-new esthetician four years ago, and now I’m trusted with higher roles within the spa as well as with my clients’ skin and overall experience. I’m especially proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients over the years. Having people continue to come back to me, trust my recommendations and feel comfortable in my treatment room is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Although the spa at glenmoor is within a gated community, the spa is open to the public and all are welcome to come get services at the spa and enjoy the amenities included!

Pricing:

• custom 60 minute facial-$130
• First Time Bikini Wax Client- $45
• Spray Tan- $35
• Hot oil scalp treatment- $20
• Infrared light- TBD

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thespaatglenmoor.org/