Meet Deborah Long | Owner Aesthetician and Laser Practitioner

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

Hi Deborah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always wanted to own my own business someday. However, I was kind of catapulted into taking that leap when my current place of employment broke my trust by some unethical practices and dishonest conversations. I could no longer make it ok in my heart to stay employed there, and was not feeling like I could trust another employer not to do the same. So I started to research opening my own space, praying about it with my husband we decided to take the risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was a stay-at-home mom for many years. After moving back home post-divorce I started working for my dad as a medical assistant. I loved my job and the patients who came to see my dad. He has patients whose kids and grandkids came to see him because he ran his business on ethical and biblical principles putting the patients’ needs first and not treating them like a number. While working for my dad I started school in medical assisting but was not able to finish due to being out of the home too much with two small children. After meeting my husband and being diagnosed with Cancer in 2015 after a year of dating. I had people donate services to me through medical aesthetics which boosted my confidence in a time I felt like a shell of a person. It made me feel like myself and gave me back confidence in a time where I was feeling my lowest. I decided that is the feeling I wanted to give other people so I enrolled in Aesthetics school while still working full time for my dad. I ended up having to drop out of school in 2016 because it was too much for me. I was going through cancer treatment, working full time during the day, going to school at night and trying to blend a new family and plan a wedding. Something had to give. Unfortunately that was my dream and school.
In 2018 my husband lost his job and I decided to take a class on microblading to supplement out income and to be able to give eyebrows back to cancer survivors and still somewhat make my dream come true. After completing the class I started working from home on the side. Almost 8 months into my new side hustle I was offered a job at a Med Spa to come work for them. I took the job, and let my dad know I would be leaving. He was retiring that year so it worked out for both of us.
I spend 4 years with that company and while employed I enrolled back in esthetic school and complete my dream of becoming licensed esthetician. Unfortunately things changed over the years and the environment at my job became unethical and dishonest. That is when I chose to end my relationship there and take the risk to open on my own. To be able to conduct ethical esthetics, with integrity, biblical principles and to give back to others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my friend to be beltline to eat at some of the small restaurants and do some shopping.
I would also show them around the small town of Buford where I live and take them downtown and show them my small business. I would treat them to a facial. I would also take them to the lake, a quiet boat ride on Lake Lanier to see the sunset. For a night out I would take them to eat in Atlanta, maybe got the Hal’s steakhouse and then a night of drinks and dancing Johny’s hideaway is always a good time of drinks and people watching.
We could go to piedmont park or walk to botanical gardens. I would take them to down the street from my house for a glass of wine and live music at Cloudland Winery. Its walking distance from my neighborhood.

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?
My story started through my battle with Cancer and the support and donations of my community through the listeners of the Bert Show. Through the donations and giving of so many through my Cancer I decided I wanted to give back to others the gift of confidence and empowering them through aesthetics. I always had a passion for the beauty and medical industry, so I decided to start esthetics school to combine my passions and be able to give back to others through medical aesthetics.
I also would not be where I am today without the unwavering support of my husband. Allowing me to work full time, go to school at night and taking on a lot in our home so I could do that. Also taking large financial risks to support me and taking a risk on my small business with me. Even as I fear failure, he encourages me that even if we fail, at least we tried. He encourages me to stay strong in my faith that God has a plan and he will bless my business.

Website: https://www.arabellaaesthetics.com

Instagram: Arabella_Aesthetics_

Facebook: Arabella Aesthetics

Image Credits
Group Image credit Loverleigh Photography