Meet Candace Ray | Esthetician

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

Hi Candace, how do you think about risk?
I think of Risk as an eventual necessary path in life. I feel that most people think Risk is something that is life or death but reality is we exercise some type of risk in daily life. Risk is a finite decision. It’s the exact moment you’re going to do something and nothing can stop you although you know there may be consequences and factors outside of your control. Most may think my story of risk begins and ends with me quitting my job in healthcare and opening my spa but the risk started way before that. The risk was the moment I went to school for something that was outside of what society considers “solid.” It was the moment I was dead set on using my passion to sustain my life instead of punching in and out for someone else. Anything can be a risk. A baby takes a risk when they take their first steps. Your heart is at risk when you decide to love someone. Risk is everywhere you turn. It’s up to you to make the ultimate decision about your path.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m now a licensed esthetician but I started with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism. So, being on opposite sides of the spectrum can really make transitioning from one thing to the next pretty difficult. Skin care and makeup are my super passions and once I fully dived into them, I never wanted to leave. I started writing stories when I was 5. I wanted to tell my own stories and others so naturally, I gravitated toward that type of career. I realized that it wasn’t enough and it’s not what would carry me through life the way I really wanted to be carried. The difficulty was walking away from what I always knew but the excitement was learning something new and getting further into something I really loved. I did A LOT of praying, research, posting on social media, and went to school to get where I am now. October of 2021, I decided to quit my career in health care and open my own spa and I haven’t looked back since. It’s a challenge being “the boss.” Everything is on you. You literally make every decision and everyone has to answer to you. It’s all on you. I take pride in choosing myself and making my dreams come alive. Nothing happens without risk.

I feel what sets me apart is my willingness to adapt and my deep affinity for what I do. I want to learn it all and I never do half of anything. Once I’m in, I’m all the way in. I could be waxing someone’s eyebrows but with me, it’s a full experience; not just a simple service. I am proud that my clients come back over and over because they feel comfort and cared for with me. I have so much coming up for the upcoming season including vajacials and a wellness facial to help the immune system for the fall season. It’s exciting.

I want the world to know that Arts & Class Studio and Spa and our product brand, Beauty (Of) is just getting started but we’re on our way. We help to make you feel as beautiful as you want to be. We live in a society that tells you what your beauty standards should be and Arts & Class just wants to walk you through whatever side you want to be on. It’s about you. You own your beauty. We just help you realize it. We partner with our clients and educate them on what will help prevail their self-care and beauty with longevity. Arts & Class is playing the long game and we plan to adapt with each passing trend and trial. We got you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Philly is definitely a place to eat and drink. You’ll get full and fat here. North Bowl is a great place to eat, drink, and have a few rounds of bowling. Somo is good for brunch. Cactus has good margaritas and tacos on a Tuesday. Top Golf will give you that eat and play vibe while Chickies and Pete’s down the street will give all the good food, drinks, and sports atmosphere. Sharkeys has a fun trivia night where the jackpot is completely worth it. Oh, and This is Philly so you can’t leave without a cheesesteak and hoagie. Philly people are biased about giving out places to go for cheesesteaks because if you live here you rarely go to the tourist spots. However, I’ll give you Steve’s or Jims for steaks and Marinucci’s or Majors for Hoagies.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The blessing is that I have a solid tribe and there’s a lot of them. I have a few groups I can credit my success to. My Goonies, GMB’s, PSU Family, GDub Friends, and my family. There’s so many to name and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out. They were all instrumental in where I am now and where I’m going. Whether it was reading my blog when it started, attending events, helping to build out the spa, shouting out my business, or sending an encouraging word. They carried me in ways I can never repay and I am more than grateful.

Honorable Mention: Mom…you’re more than I can ever ask for at times and I can never repay you for being anything and everything through it all. I’m infinitely grateful.

Website: beautyofac.com

Instagram: beautyofac

Twitter: beautyofac

Facebook: Arts and Class Studio and Spa

Image Credits
Candace Ray