Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige McGeorge.
Hi Paige, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I originally started College majoring in early childhood, education and minoring in special ed. At 22 years old, I became pregnant with my daughter Sariah. This led me to a redirection in my life. I always had a passion for skin, and anything related to the beauty industry. We actually joke now because growing up, I would always try to pop everyone’s blackheads and pimples, or my dad would always get so irritated with me for being in the bathroom so long picking at my face.
(Which I would not advise anyone to do now lol.)
After having my daughter, I decided to withdraw from college and went to aesthetic school. As soon as I was done with aesthetic school, I was asked to start as an independent contractor at a nearby salon who didn’t really have anyone offering aesthetic services at that time. My room was literally a coat closet turned into a room. I worked very hard and did a lot of extra classes and training while starting up my business. A girl Anjolena taught me so much and I owe a lot of credit to her. I trained with her a lot and we actually did multiple classes together and got certified in Chicago as a skin revision therapist.
My business began to grow at a rapid rate, I hired my first assistant.
We needed more space so I set out to find a place of my own. I found a 1000 square-foot suite within a building in Canton, OH and started Aesthetic Therapy.
We continued to grow over the years as I had employees and renters now as well. This past year we actually expanded within that building. Aesthetic Therapy now takes up over 7,000 sq ft in the building we’re in. We also have added a salon side. I have 15 renters and 2 employees now. I still offer services 3 days a week and have clients that have been with me since the start 6 years ago. It has been hard work but I am so very grateful. We actually won Best Spa in Stark County in 2023 and 2024.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say smooth, there’s been a lot of bumps and redirections along the way. Also a lot of lessons learned, but in a good way. It’s helped me become a better business woman.
I am also a mom, my significant other is active in the army. He does supply and logistics. He actually just got back from a 14 month deployment in Kuwait. I am not cut out to be an army wife and move around, so I stay put with our daughter to also provide a more so stable home and school process for her per se. We visit and he visits as much as possible, we make it work but at times this can be a bit challenging and present obstacles itself as well. I love my family so much! I just want to provide the best life I can for my daughter and be the best example I can be for her. She is everything to me.
I also got pretty sick about 2 years ago. I found out that I had an auto immune disease that was turning into another. I had to do some pretty harsh medication and treatments so that was a minor setback but also kind of a wake up call. I have been trying to strive to find more of a work and personal life balance and enjoying every moment of both as much as I can since. Life is short, and I often think we forget that.
Any struggle or bump I try to use as a milestone and lesson. Owning a business is not easy at all. I didn’t myself realize how much went into it until I started. From the outside, sometimes it can look glorifying or easier than what it actually is. There are times I feel like I never stop working. But I often share this below with my little brothers it is something I try to remind myself and use to keep me going.
“One of the hardest things in life is when it seems like you’re in the pursuit of something it always seems like that’s when all the obstacles come your way but remember wherever there’s opposition that’s where your greatest opportunity lies. Just like the weather we have to go through different seasons of our life in order to grow. Trust in God and his plan for you. Struggles and obstacles are good signs. Don’t be discouraged by them it shows the Lord is working within you.”
I don’t usually talk about religion or politics while discussing business matters and or at work. I think everyone should be able to believe in whatever they want to believe in and that is their own personal choice and opinion. I myself give all glory to God. If I told you of all my struggles over the years to get where I am today, we would need a lot more time or a bigger article. I know that God has been with me every step of the way. I am so grateful.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I myself am a licensed aesthetician and certified skin revision therapist. I offer almost all aesthetic services, I do a lot of facials, chemical peels, and lashes. I am well known as the owner of Aesthetic Therapy and also for being a skincare wizard. I love the science behind it all.
Aesthetic Therapy has now a salon and spa side and I have 15 other Licensed professionals offering all sorts of services. We have hair, nails, pedicures, Massage Therapist, teeth whitening, spray, tans, permanent makeup, etc.
In this industry, we all have had experiences with the competition, drama, other obstacles you could face In this beauty industry. Unfortunately, it is just something that is a part of it or can be a part of it. I feel what helps set Aesthetic Therapy apart is we all work together, even if we are considered independent contractors or our own businesses. I strive to help others grow in their career. I believe that there is room for everyone to be successful. I love to emphasize this to others and spread this energy to other professionals in the beauty industry. I love to see others excel, and help them as much as I can. And to also provide a space that everyone gets along and can feed off one another and grow, as well as make healthy connections, so on and so forth. We have a very welcoming environment.
Also not to toot my own horn, I really am not one to give myself credit as I feel like I can always be doing more but I still offer services 3-4 days a week. Most of my clients have been with me for 4-6 years. On top of running the Spa and Salon, and being a full time mom. I hope to be able to continue to grow and find ways to continue to help others in this industry and give back.
I think all of the above is what I would most be proud of brand wise. Just to see how much growth we’ve had over the years and knowing how much more we could have in the future. I go to the local high schools a lot to talk to their Business and cosmetology classes. We have actually provided extra certifications and trainings for some of them. I am very proud of that as well. I have had and heard so many employees, renters, clients come in and speak such positive things about Aesthetic Therapy and our space. As far as how welcoming it is, how clean it is, how good the vibes are and that is something I just want to continue to be able to provide for all of them.
I would want the readers to know about our growth, and also know that they are always welcome to come check out our space. We are a one stop shop. You can come in and get a massage, your hair done, and a facial. It’s great! And all of the girls provide top-notch service and are very well educated and trained. I would want them to know that our name comes from the experience they will have when they come in. Aesthetic means the appreciation of beauty. The word therapy comes from us being there for our clients. Most of the time clients come in we are a listening ear for them. Whether they want to vent, tell us something exciting going on in their life, girl talk, or just relax. We are there to provide a safe and welcoming space for them, and often grow to have great relationships with all our clients.
I have one client who’s been with me for 6 years, she is 80 years old. A couple years ago she rekindled a relationship with her Highschool sweetheart and got married. It was the cutest thing ever. At one of her appts before the wedding she mentioned to me nobody in their family was able to make it to the wedding (they were just having something small at a chapel nearby). I was so concerned nobody would be there to be a witness, take pics, etc. I ended up surprising them and showing up the day of the wedding. I took all the pictures and got to sign as the witness. It was one of the most heart felt and best things I’ve ever gotten to do. They were so excited and grateful. I think that story sums up my business and myself. I just want to be there for others and help make this world a better place even if it’s just in my own small way.
What’s next?
This past year we actually just expanded at the location we had been in. We now took over three of the suites and combined them and went from 1000 ft.² to over 7000 ft.².
I do have plans as far as finishing up some remodeling, and adding to our team a little bit.
Otherwise, I would like to start offering training and classes more, and also have some things in the work to give back to the community and host some events. We have held fundraisers before to help Out local, homeless, shelters, and women shelters. I would really like to get more involved in that and do that more often.
We also have talked some about adding some additional add-on services to our spa. Specifically, the massage area such as a red light therapy sauna, zen room, etc.
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