Meet Melanie McFall | Licensed Esthetician/Facial Specialist

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

Hi Melanie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe risk is necessary in life. You must be a little “crazy” and not care how you look or sound taking a risk. You must believe in yourself so much that, you can’t take it personal when people don’t believe in the vision or support your business. I believe that risk backed by faith is necessary when you’re going against traditional views of life and a career, to pursue your true passion. I took a huge risk by leaving a cozy and secure career working for the government for 14 years of my adulthood to work for myself. I literally left a 9 to 5 with benefits during a global pandemic, to work 24hrs for myself (LOL). That must sum up risk for me!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m Melanie McFall, a Licensed Esthetician and owner of fler.ish with Melanie skin studio in Colorado Springs, CO. It’s my passion and focus to help people nourish and flourish with their skin health with customized facials and skin care products. I love helping others feel confident in themselves and their bodies. I work with clients to create a refreshing, healthy, and natural look that is comfortable for them.

As a woman of color, I realized going through my esthetics program how much I wanted to help those from my community embrace the importance of skin health. We have made it a habit to prioritize our hair and nails, but what about our skin? Our skin is the first thing we notice about someone, and it should be cared for just as much as anything else on our body. It’s our largest organ! I service a variety of people with many different backgrounds, and it is very important for me to help educate, guide and care for POC with their specific skin concerns and goals. I found it very frustrating with the lack of education that was being taught on skin of color and I prioritized to seek additional training for it once I got licensed. When I opened for business, I learned many of my clients had a lack of knowledge when it came to skin care, never had a facial before, was using improper products, or plainly just didn’t trust someone touching their skin. Every service is personal for me, I want to create trust, I want my clients to feel seen, heard, embraced, and encouraged to feel and be their best self!

Additionally, the beauty industry is saturated with marketing towards women taking care of their skin and bodies, but what about the men? The market for men’s skin health is on the rise, and I want to be a part of that growth to help educate and encourage men that skin care is not gender specific. Men want to look good and feel good about themselves just as much as women do. Men should be able to experience relaxation and self-care in a safe environment. I’ve seen it with my own clients. Men love how soft and smooth their face and facial hair feel. Men want to look and feel youthful too! I want some men to stop walking around with dusty, bumpy, ashy skin and dry/brittle facial hair! Tell me you don’t know a man who needs some extra TLC to the face! 

Part of my story starts with my personal challenges with my own skin concerns. I struggled with acne, and still do as a 34-year-old adult woman! I went through so many stages and products trying to figure out what do and what to use, but I struggled because I wasn’t properly educated. It was Fall 2019 and I enrolled in my esthetics program, little did I know or anyone else what was going to happen within a couple of months (2020 Pandemic). Fast forward to October 2020, I completed my esthetics program and was officially a licensed Esthetician, but the world was shut down! I pretty much panicked because I’m like “great I have my license, but I can’t work anywhere because the world is shut down!” I avoided the idea of starting my own business, mainly because the thought of entrepreneurship frightened me, and I didn’t want the responsibility. I just had no clue of what I was doing, how to start, blah blah blah. So, I leaned on my faith and prayed by asking God what should I do? I was really starting to hate my job and the environment I was working in (The DMV yikes!)       I wanted to help people feel good about themselves, I wanted to remind people to take care of themselves as much as they prioritize everything else in life. April of 2021, I put my faith and trust in God, and I took a leap of faith and left my corporate career to go full time with my esthetics business!

Keep in mind I have zero background in business, so this has been such a learning process in every area. I’ve learned how important it is to focus on one thing and focusing on that one thing will overflow. Overtime I learned how important it is to have systems in place to keep me organized and focused. I’m still adjusting because it may seem like I have all this free time on my hands, but I’m utilizing every moment. I’m excited and hopeful to look back at the growth and everything I’ve overcome to keep moving forward.

Growing up and living in Colorado, specifically Colorado Springs I was always observant of the small amount of diversity in recreation and businesses. I believe representation is important in every field/industry. I’m going to keep it real, any time you mention Colorado, you don’t think of black folks living here unless you’re a professional athlete (LOL!)

So as a young woman from a small city (well growing city),       I want the world to grow with me and my brand and future brands to come. I fully believe this is just the beginning of what is in store for my path. It is more than just educating/providing skin care services at a local level, but globally.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Now that the world is slowly coming out of hibernation, we’re hitting a local coffee shop like The Switchback coffee Roasters near memorial park, then afterwards we would head over to Lucy I’m Home for some delicious Cuban food. I always order the chicken empanada plate; the empanada is loaded with this amazing mango salsa! Later in the evening we would swing by the Ivy Wild School and grab a drink from The Principal’s Office. Afterwards, I’m hoping we could catch some live music at Epiphany. I love the vibe of that place!

Whether you are a native or visiting, I think it’s a must to visit the top of Pikes Peak! I mean who wouldn’t want to go to the top of the mountains?! You can ride the cog-rail or drive up, either way the view is breath taking. Just make sure to dress for the mountains! It is a little chillier up there than down below! Oh, and don’t forget to try some tasty high-altitude donuts while you’re up there, so worth the trip!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost all Glory and honor to God! If it wasn’t for God’s grace and mercy over my life, I would not be in the position I’m in today. So, thank you JESUS! Secondly, I want to give thanks to my parents Carmen & Phillip McFall, they have been two of the most supportive, loving, caring, and dependable people I could have in my corner. Honestly, I can’t thank my parents enough for everything they have done to provide and raise their family the best they could. I also want to give a shoutout to the Thrive program, for helping develop, and promote local businesses from the Southeast side of Colorado Springs!

Website: https://www.flerishwithmelanie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fler.ishwithmelanie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fler.ishwithmelanie

Image Credits
Personal Photo : Ryan Cook @toodopeshots