Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Destiny Preston. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Destiny, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I’ve loved the beauty industry for a long time, but when I first entered it nearly 17 years ago, I wasn’t sure it was where I was meant to stay. I’ve always had a strong desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and at the time, I believed the best way to do that was at a larger, systemic scale. That led me to college and graduate school, and eventually into a career in public policy, working on big, complex issues like transportation, infrastructure, and climate change.
After about a decade in that world, I began to see the limitations of how change actually happens in policy and politics. Even with good intentions, progress can be slow, constrained, and emotionally draining. I also noticed how out of balance I felt — overworked, disconnected, and surrounded by environments that often lacked empathy, authenticity, and genuine human care. There are certainly exceptions, but overall it wasn’t a space that nourished me on a deeper level.
Returning to beauty and wellness helped me see something I hadn’t fully understood before: the power of direct, human-to-human impact. In my work now, I can immediately see the difference I make — whether I’m supporting someone going through cancer or post-surgical recovery, helping reduce swelling that’s affecting their daily life, or working with someone struggling with acne or skin changes after pregnancy and feeling disconnected from their body. Helping someone feel more comfortable in their skin, more like themselves again, can truly change how they move through the world.
What ultimately showed me my purpose was realizing that the kindness, presence, and safe space I create for my clients is something many of them don’t experience elsewhere — not in corporate environments, government work, or sometimes even in their personal lives. The relationships I build are real, supportive, and deeply human.
Even though the beauty and wellness industry has its challenges, it genuinely fills my cup. And being able to fill someone else’s cup — even in what might seem like a small, intimate way — feels incredibly meaningful to me. That’s when I knew I had found my purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m the founder and sole practitioner behind Elysian Rose Aesthetics & Wellness, a boutique beauty and wellness studio rooted in skin health, lymphatic care, and restorative bodywork. My work blends advanced facial treatments with manual lymphatic drainage and holistic wellness practices, all designed to support both visible results and deeper well-being.
What feels most special about what I do is the way I combine clinical knowledge with human-centered care. My background spans over 16 years in the beauty industry, along with advanced training in lymphatic therapy and a parallel career in public policy. That combination allows me to approach skin and wellness from a thoughtful, integrative perspective — one that honors both science and the nervous system, results and rest.
Much of my work supports clients during vulnerable or transitional moments in their lives — whether they’re navigating post-surgical recovery, managing swelling or inflammation, going through cancer treatment, or simply feeling disconnected from their skin due to stress, hormonal changes, or aging. I also work with clients seeking high-performance facial treatments who want visible improvement without sacrificing a sense of calm, privacy, or personalization.
At Elysian Rose, the experience matters just as much as the outcome. I’ve intentionally created a quiet, discreet space where clients can slow down, feel seen, and receive care that’s never rushed or one-size-fits-all. Many of my clients hold demanding roles or are caregivers themselves, and this becomes one of the few places where they can truly exhale.
Professionally, I’m focused on continuing to expand my clinical skill set while deepening the educational and therapeutic aspects of my practice. I’m currently advancing my training in lymphatic and therapeutic care, with long-term plans to integrate acupuncture and Chinese medicine into the studio. My goal is to build a space that bridges aesthetics, wellness, and restorative medicine — supporting people not just in how they look, but in how they feel in their bodies and lives.
Ultimately, Elysian Rose is about thoughtful, compassionate care — helping people reconnect with themselves, feel more at home in their skin, and leave feeling genuinely supported.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Emotional intelligence and presence
The ability to truly listen, stay present, and respond with empathy has been one of the most impactful skills in my journey. Whether I was working in public policy or now in beauty and wellness, people want to feel seen, understood, and respected. Technical expertise matters, but trust is built through emotional intelligence — understanding not just what someone says, but what they’re experiencing beneath the surface.
Advice: Practice active listening in every environment. Slow down, ask thoughtful questions, and learn to be comfortable with silence. These are skills that deepen with intention and time.
2. Willingness to pivot and redefine success
Being open to change — and allowing myself to pivot when something no longer felt aligned — was essential. Early on, I believed success had to look a certain way: prestigious degrees, high-impact titles, or working at scale. It took courage to step away from that definition and choose a path that felt more meaningful, even if it looked smaller or less conventional from the outside.
Advice: Check in with yourself regularly. Growth doesn’t always mean pushing harder; sometimes it means choosing alignment over approval. Give yourself permission to evolve.
3. Commitment to lifelong learning and mastery
Staying curious and continually investing in my education has allowed me to deepen my work and serve people better. Whether through formal schooling, advanced certifications, or hands-on experience, building real expertise creates confidence and integrity. It also helps you distinguish between trends and truly effective practices.
Advice: Don’t rush mastery. Choose education thoughtfully, seek mentors who embody the values you admire, and prioritize depth over speed. Long-term credibility is built one skill at a time.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is someone who values expert care, visible results, and a calm, highly intentional experience. They are often navigating demanding seasons of life and want treatments that are not only restorative, but genuinely effective.
They’re drawn to my work because I offer advanced, results-driven facials using medical-grade skincare backed by research. In addition to facial services, my practice includes specialized modalities such as manual lymphatic drainage and craniosacral therapy, supported by advanced clinical training. These therapies address inflammation, post-surgical recovery, and stress regulation — all of which can impact skin health and overall wellness.
My clients value excellence and high standards of care. They are looking for a practitioner with depth of knowledge, precision, and discernment — someone who can assess their needs thoughtfully and recommend the most appropriate course of treatment without rushing the process. They appreciate discretion, consistency, and an experience that feels both elevated and deeply supportive.
Ultimately, my ideal client understands that meaningful results come from a comprehensive approach and ongoing care — and they’re seeking an expert who can deliver that with confidence, integrity, and attention to detail.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elysianrose.co
- Instagram: elysianrosellc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elysianrosellc/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elysian-rose-aesthetics-and-wellness-encinitas-2
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elysianrosellc
Image Credits
Credit to Poppy Photography
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