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

Hi Vanessa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As with many in the wellness industry, my business was formed in response to my own journey, as a way to make sure that other people don’t have to go through what I did.

In 2018, I developed adult acne. I was an esthetician, and despite years of helping clients improve their skin, I was struggling to heal my own. I visited doctors, dermatologists, naturopaths and acne specialists; I tried acne medication, prescription topicals and supplements – but nothing helped. I spent the next two years chronically dehydrated from the medications with persistent acne and such low self-esteem. My skin was impacting my social life, my career, and my mental health.

One day, I realized that none of the professionals had asked about anything other than my skin care routine. Nobody asked about my diet, levels of stress, or anything lifestyle-related. They were treating my acne like an isolated issue rather than as part of a larger imbalance.

It felt like a lightbulb went off, and for the first time in two years, I felt hopeful. I enrolled in school for holistic nutrition, took herbalism classes to learn how to further support my system, and broke down my entire lifestyle to see how each part contributes to the health of my skin. Within a year, my acne had almost fully healed – something that the doctors had told me was impossible without medication.

The industry had failed me, and likely many others.

While our skin doesn’t define us, I know firsthand how it can impact the way that we show up in the world. That’s what inspired me to start my own business – whether you have acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, or simply aren’t feeling confident in your skin, Toketic Esthetics was formed as a way to provide the education, support and accountability that I wish I had been given.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For a long time, I was resistant to speaking about my acne. It was a dark period of my life and I had let it define me personally for so long that I didn’t want it to define me professionally. This was a hard roadblock to work through, and one that directly impacted my business. How can I help people if I can’t even speak about my own experience? I was afraid to be vulnerable, because being vulnerable required being seen, and I felt like I shouldn’t be seen until my skin was 100% perfect.

The truth is, my skin will never be perfect, because perfect skin doesn’t exist. And also? My acne DOES define me – it entirely changed the course of my career! It prompted me to go back to school and dramatically increased my knowledge of how our skin functions. It made me a better esthetician, increased my empathy, and allowed me to work with clients on a much deeper level. It taught me the importance of true self care – it’s not yoga or eating salads, it’s strengthening your attunement with your body (and skin!) so that you can really get to know your needs (and how to meet them!). It took me a long time to get here, but… I’m grateful for my acne and I’m proud who I became because of it.

You deserve to love and feel comfortable in your skin, but you also deserve to love yourself – no matter what your skin looks like. I am so grateful to be able to help clients achieve both, and I wouldn’t be here if not for my acne.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Bellingham is a beautiful mix of nature & small-town vibes. Oyster Dome is a must-do hike for visitors, but my favorite local hike is Lily & Lizard Lakes. I love how you’re surrounded by the forest and ferns for the entire time, and if you’re lucky, you might see a beaver! For shorter bouts of nature, I love getting a coffee and then walking Lake Padden or along Boulevard Park – the water views will never get old. Bellingham in culinary experiences: Avenue Bread has the best sandwiches, Rock & Rye has the best oysters, Cafe Rumba has amazing Peruvian food (their spicy side potatoes are SO good) and I love Little Cheerful for breakfast. Storia Cucina, Keenan’s at the Pier and The Oyster Bar are my favorite higher-end dining experiences – the latter two have AMAZING water views. I spent far too much time at Jalapeños when I was in college, and their Big Mama margaritas will always have a special place in my heart….. for beer, Aslan (great food too!), Boundary Bay or Kulshan Trackside are some of my favorites, and if you’re looking for good cocktails, Jack’s Bar or Galloway’s in Fairhaven are some of my favorite! Speaking of Fairhaven – it’s a historic community about 5-10 minutes south of Bellingham, and is full of cute boutiques, coffee shops, good restaurants, and Village Books (I love a good bookstore). It’s quaint, very walkable, and has great water views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I signed up for a business mentor through SCORE and he has been instrumental in helping me get my business off the ground and running. From help with taxes and finances to emotional support during some “I don’t know what I’m doing!?” moments – thank you Ken, I’m so grateful for your ongoing support!

Website: https://www.vanessamaisonpierre.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toketic.esthetics/

Other: https://www.vanessamaisonpierre.com/testimonials https://www.vanessamaisonpierre.com/blog

Image Credits
Sterling Rose Art

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