Meet Rhonda McDaniel | Licensed Clinical Aesthetician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rhonda McDaniel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rhonda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was raised by my mother with the help of my grandmother who was homeopathic before it became popular. I grew up watching my grandmother create elixir from everything from coughs to diaper rash. This showed me the benefits of using natural products and how natural ingredients can be affective. Growing up I was always created concoction for my face trying to improve my skin which drove my mother crazy. Fast forwarding into adulthood and college, I got a degree in accounting and worked in that field for of over 20 years; not realizing that I could actually become aesthetician doing what I love. Opening up a skincare facility was the best decision I made. It allowed me to help my clients with their skincare needs and do what I love. After having grandchildren and wanting to spend more time with them, I had to make another decision of closing my skincare facility after 16 years. I didn’t want to leave the skincare industry, so I decided to create skincare products. I started making soaps, lotions and body scrubs with all natural ingredients and would sell them at markets. My product sold so well that I had to build a website to keep up with the demand. Owning my own business has given me the flexible to spend time with my family making memories.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from many product creators is that I am a licensed clinical aesthetician. Using my experience and education gives me a different inside when creating products that best suit the skin.

I am most proud of how my products have help many people. I am often referred to family members, friends and colleagues. Clients tell me that they will only use my products.

Networking was the key to me building my business. I joined the Chamber, Women’s Groups and did lots of markets. It was important to keep my name and face in the public. It wasn’t easy because all of the networking groups required you to give a 30 second commercial and a 10 minute presentation about you and your business. I had to overcome speaking in front of people about myself.

I have learned that you have get out of your comfort zone to grow. And that only you can tell your story about your business.

A Caring Touch Skin Therapy, we believe that what touches the skin should be pure enough to touch the youngest or most sensitive skin. With our natural products, feeling good in your own skin takes on a whole new meaning.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start with breakfast at 7th & Grove in Ybor City, Lunch at Ladies of the Sea & Soulfood, closing out the night Cotton Club. We would also go to the Ybor Market to do some local shopping, go to Strawberry Passion Organic farm to get our fresh organic vegetables and strawberry shakes and shortcakes. Chill at Gemma’s and have a glass of wine. Have dinner at Flavaz Jamaican Grille. Just Love Coffee Cafe for breakfast, Amateur Works for lunch, walk around Hyde Park at different shops, stop by Miguel’s Mexican Seafood & Grill for dinner.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shout to my husband, Greg McDaniel for supporting me through all the changes. Always being there to critique my men products and to my children Sonya Shirley, Shawn McDaniel, Amber McDaniel and Gregory McDaniel, II for countless hours of prepping and packaging products for large orders. To my women’s group Hearts and Heels, thank you for all the referrals and being there for me when things were challenging.

Website: actskintherapy.com

Instagram: instagram.com/acaringtouchskintherapy

Facebook: facebook.com/acaringtouchskintherapy

Image Credits
Branding by B&E Photorgraphy Misty Jones Photography Scenes of Vera-Mae