Meet Melissa Daly

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Daly. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melissa , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Have you ever felt alone in a crowded room? Or like all eyes were on you, but of you chocked up, that one mistake would haunt you for the rest of your life? Well I have always seemed to feel that way, from childhood to adulthood. I’m not sure why I have always put such pressure on myself, but it has had a huge impact on the way I not only view myself, but my business. Being a perfectionist has its down falls, but an important lesson I have learned while starting a new business is you can not be afraid of failure, or that failure could hold you back from your highest potential.

I started my journey as an Esthetician in 2021. I had moved to a small rural town in Northern California. I found a struggle with balancing motherhood as a school teacher with limited childcare options, and was experiencing multiple health issues. I had an important discussion to make, and I needed to make it fast in order to better take care and provide for not only myself, but my family.

Durring covid in 2019, I had helped a friend with her small business. She had made skin care products. She was a licensed Esthetician, and had become successful over the years. I knew with my current knowledge about skincare products, I could potentially further a career in the same industry, if I furthered my education. I crunched some numbers, and with the help of my Husband we would be able to afford it. I knew it was not going to be easy, I had an hr commute ahead of me, on windy roads that often got closed because of snow storms. We also still did not have a lot of resources when it came to childcare. Thankfully the wonderful community we live in helped me, along with my Husband, even after working ten to twelve hour shifts as a Wildland firefighter.

I had attended cosmology school in past, but unfortunately was a “Beauty school drop out.” I was determined to not let this happen again. Again it wasn’t easy, especially coming into the beauty world as a fairly low maintenance girl, living in the wilderness. I made a solid group of friends, and loved preforming services. I excelled. I graduated and shortly after was offered a space for rent.
I loved that space. Although it was still a half hour commute from home, it was small, and peaceful. I got along great with my crew, and was building a fun clientele. I ran into some hurdles though. My clients needed privacy, Body waxing requires a lot of dressing down, as do facials. My clients wanted peace and quiet with facial services, again something I could not provide with only a curtain rood and sheets as barriers as barbers and cosmotologists worked with other clients. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the salon setting, it was just not the environment my clients preferred.

I than decided to pursue my career as a solo Esthetician. I took multiple trainings at this time. The most memorable was an event hosted by Vagaro. I attended this with the same friend who had first sparked my interest in this industry, Nicole Dobson. You could say she is not only been my friend, business partner, but mentor threw out this process. This is where I really got the motivation to keep pursuing my career, as I saw people just like me, who were just starting out, crushing their professional goals. I left feel as if I had this all in the bag.
I than found another building to rent. This time closer to town. The pressure was on, and that fear of failure unfortunately started to creep in. What would people think? This building is pretty old. Will I be able to invest in this building? Will have the right people to help with this much renovation? Thankfully I did have help, a private office space, hard working crew and family to help with projects I had no idea how to fix, such as installing hardwood floors, and ceiling panels. I saw all my dream unfolding in front of me, until yet another hurdle. The business inspection.

I had spent exactly a year remodeling this building, when I realized I could no longer invest in it any more. I had also become pregnant, and moving things, and working with paint by myself had become harder. I soon realized I needed to prepare to become a stay at home mom, for at least six months to a year, again.
This is where my journey brings me to the present. I’m currently rethinking my next move, and how I will be able work from home. So what’s in the works? A possible children’s skincare line, bridal makeup trainings, and continuing to practice my eyelash extension technique. I don’t know where my business adventure will lead me, but isn’t that exciting? I’m not afraid of how people may look at me this time, or to stand out in the crowd. I’m not afraid to take risks, or afraid of failure. I am excited to learn and create. Thank you all for being a part of this amazing journey.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have been a licensed Esthetician for two years now. I am currently in the process of becoming a solo Esthetician. After renting and sharing a space in a salon, and also renting a space and working by self, I have taken a step back and now have to work from home, as I am pregnant. I am currently working on the production of a children’s skincare line, pursuing training in bridal makeup, and furthering my lash extension technique.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

You can not be afraid to fail. Failure is only a stepping stone to reach your highest potential. Think of your said failures at a learning experience.

Do not be afraid to take risks.

Do not let imposter syndrome take over. You are just as valuable as that other person you are comparing yourself to. Your quality’s are what make you unique. Don’t be afraid to standout in the crowd.

Making investments can be hard especially in this economy. Do not get discouraged, slowly but surely all your hard work will all pay off.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The people who have been the most helpful to me durring this process have been my family members, especially my Husband, and my good friend Nicole Dobson.

My family members have supported me even though they had their doubts about weather this would workout or not. They have helped with multiple projects when it came to remodeling my previous shop building, and helped with childcare.

My husband, Lorin Daly has also supported me not only emotionally but financially durring my schooling and business journey. I can’t thank him enough for working long shifts a wildland fire fighter in order to provide for our family. Without him, none of this would have been possible.

My friend, former business partner, and current mentor, Nicole Dobson. She had not only sparked my interest in the skincare industry years ago, but continues to share her love for skincare with me. W have not only created together, but often run business ideas past each other. She has also pointed me in the right direction when I need to pursue trainings.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vagaro.com/dalyesthetics
• Instagram: @daly_esthetics
• Facebook: Daly Esthetics
• Other: TikTok: @dalyesthetics

Image Credits

Carrie Mayfield photography is responsible for the headshot of me with brushes