Meet Desarae Marhofer | CEO

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

Hi Desarae, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand has been a deep, unwavering belief in transformation—both personal and professional. As a domestic abuse survivor turned 7-figure beauty school owner, I built Beautiful You Skincare Academy on the foundation that anyone, regardless of their past, can rise, reclaim their worth, and thrive. I didn’t just create a school; I created a movement—one that empowers aspiring estheticians to become confident & resilent entrepreneurs. Our culture is built on connection, community, and entrepreneurship. We don’t just teach skincare—we teach students how to build a life and business they’re proud of. That commitment to purpose-driven education and empowerment is what drives everything we do and why we’ve grown from a single spa studio to a multi-campus esthetics school brand transforming lives across Colorado.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career began in the treatment room, but my purpose was always bigger than the facial bed. I became a licensed esthetician in 2005—just me, a facial room, and a dream. But behind that dream was also a woman healing. I’m a domestic abuse survivor who chose to rewrite her story. Through that pain, I found purpose. And through that purpose, I found power.

As my skincare studio grew, so did my vision. I started hiring estheticians and quickly realized there was a major gap in education. Many weren’t spa-ready, not because they lacked talent—but because they hadn’t been taught how to confidently run a business, communicate with clients, or believe in themselves. That’s when I knew: the beauty industry needed more than technical training. It needed business training and professional empowerment.

In 2019, I opened Beautiful You Skincare Academy—Pueblo’s first esthetics school. Today, we’ve grown into three campuses across Colorado, helping hundreds of students launch their own beauty businesses, build financial freedom, and walk with confidence.

Was it easy? Absolutely not. I’ve had to lead through fear, build through breakdowns, and make decisions with more faith than certainty. But I never stopped believing in the mission. What sets me apart as a CEO is that I’ve lived every stage of this journey—I’ve been the spa employee, the solo esthetician, the biz owner/ overworked mom, the dreamer, the doer, the woman who kept going.

Beautiful You is more than a school—it’s a sanctuary for survivors, creatives, visionaries, and anyone ready to turn their passion into purpose. I want the world to know that success isn’t reserved for the lucky. It’s built by those who choose to rise.

And if I could rise from the ashes of my past to build a 7-figure beauty education brand—so can you.

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?
If my best friend came to visit we’d head to Denver, we’d turn it into the ultimate girls’ getaway. We’d check into the Hotel Clio —it’s chic, stylish, and perfectly walkable to everything we’d need.

Saturday we would kick off the weekend with boutique shopping at Cherry Creek Mall. Then we’d head to Drybar Cherry Creek for blowouts to get us in full bestie mode.

Dinner that night? Forget Me Not for handcrafted cocktails and a show-stopping vibe, or Toro Latin Kitchen for upscale Latin eats. After dinner, we’d head to The Maven’s Poka Lola Social Club or The Red Barber rooftop for drinks and skyline views.

Sunday morning would be all about the slow life. Brunch at El Five for epic city views and Mediterranean small plates. After that, it’s straight to The Oxford Club Spa & Salon for massages and facials—or better yet, a trip to Beautiful You Skincare Academy-Littleton for a customized glow-up. 😍

This wouldn’t just be a weekend trip—it’d be a reset. A celebration of friendship, freedom, and fun. The kind of week where you remember who you are and leave feeling radiant inside and out.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest shoutout goes to my husband, John—my rock, our CFO, and the steady force behind the scenes who’s kept our business and family thriving. While I’ve been out front building the brand, he’s been behind the curtain doing the books, managing payroll, and making sure we stay financially strong—year after year, without ever asking for the spotlight. His belief in me never wavers, even when mine does. He grounds me in our goals, reminds me of our purpose, and leads with quiet strength and relentless optimism. There have been many mentors along the way, but John has had the most profound impact on my personal and professional growth. His leadership, love, and belief in our vision make everything we’ve built possible.

Website: https://www.beautifulyouskincareacademy.com

Instagram: @BYskincareacademy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BYskincareacademy

Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FU4jKC6iT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Zara Ashby Photography