Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Alvarez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I got into the profession of skincare and massage therapy by chance. I was 25 years old. I was going to school for Physical Therapy. My second choice was to be a police officer. My son was five years old. I really needed to give my son and I a better life. I had always been into the health and fitness area and worked for Bally’s since the age of 17. I became a certified personal trainer and aerobics instructor at age 20. This started off being one of the most enjoyable jobs of my life. Although I enjoyed it so much but the hours were long. My son needed me to spend time with him. At age 22, I had to make a decision to step down from personal training and start a 9-5 pm office job. I never left my gym/ aerobics instructor gigs as those always brought in extra income. I would work my 9-5 pm office job in heels and office attire. Then, pick up my son from school, put my hair in a ponytail, change into my wonder woman suit A.K.A. gym clothes and sneakers. I would give my son his LeapFrog tablet and sit him in a corner inside my class while I taught for an hour. I did this day after day, week after week. I loved it because I would get out of work and use my creative side for an hour and exercise, too. Which is something so hard to fit in when one’s a single parent.
I was lucky to have worked in an office at the time, where I had great bosses, and the job was fun, Yet, I felt something was missing from my life. Also, I wanted to have more flexibility for my son and his extracurricular activities. One day, I had been looking through the ancient yellow pages. I saw an advertisement for a skincare and massage therapist licensure with an Associates in Science degree, specializing in natural health. This of course was before the alternative and wellness explosion we have now. When I first walked into the school, I was blown away. Any person walking into the building could smell the scents of Aromatherapy right into the elevator. Once inside the office, meditation music played in the back round, and such welcoming people greeted me. I was sold! I felt so much peace. It definitely was much different then the environments of gyms, iron clunking down and wanting to be a cop. Lol! This profession really started to make sense to me of why God had done things in such a way, which almost seemed arranged, but not coincidental. My skin had been outrageously terrible since the age of 16 years old. I received facials at a dermatologist office every two weeks, antibiotics, and retinol. The more I studied the human body and the way it works the more I understood my own skin problems. My skin started to change and the more I practiced on others the more confident I became. The more I wanted to help others like me. Same happened when it came time for me to study the massage therapy portion. Since physical therapy was an area of interest for me, its something, I engulfed myself into. When I was in school, I would tell my friends and family I am going to open my first office when I get out of school. People thought I was crazy. Yet, as universal law and Gods will exist, while I was at school one of my friends said she had a friend who was renting an office. I still had a few months to go to finish school. I was like oh well if it’s meant to be it will. I graduated 4/2002 and in 7/2002 the office was still available. I started my business with $4,000. And that’s all I had to my name. Here I was 27 years old with a seven-year-old kid making one of the scariest decisions of my life, at the time, I do owe a lot to my family for their moral support and helping me through my journey.
Fast forward 20 years later. Now my background includes Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, worked as a make-up artist for years, Certified manual lymphatic drainage therapist, worked as a skincare and massage therapy educator for Florida Career College for four years, worked at several prestigious spas, and with Dr.’s. I’ve had to take on several roles in this profession to remain competitive in such a growing market and as a necessity to keep growing my business to keep it open. Now, I can happily and proudly say that as of 8 years ago, I’ve been able to only concentrate on my business without any other side job. I give thanks to God above and the loyal people I have met along and supported me along the way.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although, I have had the blessing of being at the right place at the right time, and meeting amazing humans along the way. It has not been a smooth road. This business has been hard, always. I didn’t start the conventional way everyone starts off by. I have literally bulldozed my way through. I had three things against me at the time no money, people actually seeing me as leader in my fields, and I was extremely young. The baby boomers were the ones getting facials at the time. Imagine, I was telling them what to do. I basically had to fake it till I made it, I had such luck though that I had lots of people rooting for me. I drenched myself with knowledge. I was at a skincare or massage therapy seminar every Monday. We aren’t talking about online seminars; these were sitting in seminars with demos or practice. I absolutely fell in love! The more I learned the more I brought back to my clients.
Please tell us about Revival Skin and Body Care.
Revival Skin and Body Care stands for a holistic practice and wellness from head to toe. My business specializes in Integrating nutrition into the wellness of the skin and body. By offering nutritional health coaching plans, spa services, clinical skincare services, massage therapy, and manual lymphatic drainage. I think what sets my business apart from other companies is the personalized and bio-individualized approach. We have an 8-hour workday, yet I limit myself to only five clients a day for me to help. Taking my time with each person is important to me. I am not only in it for the money but for results. I have studied many modalities, and have seen many people come into my office. In some cases, I have encountered clients, particularly young adolescents, most are suffering from stress, fatigue, and acne. Once a thorough consultation is done, we begin to pinpoint triggers. The client and I start working as a team. The results are a domino effect great results! We have to treat the body, mind and spirit. Teaching and educating adolescents to me is probably the most rewarding and humbling side of this business. My plans for the future of this business is to help my clients by providing a multitude of holistic services. I plan to include wellness modalities such as meditation and yoga. Educating clients by offering educational classes for full-body wellness on juicing and eating well. Finally, a handmade product line for all skin types and conditions are in the works for the future. I can finally say, I am so proud of where this business is going right now. So excited on what is to come!
Any predictions for the industry over the next few years?
I think this industry is finally being recognized by the medical community as being not just a fad but as a necessity. Health coaches and massage therapist, I think will be working more side by side to help Dr.’s accomplish the end results for patients before they get sick. For example, treat the person for early symptoms of stress before a person ends up with a heart attack or stroke. I also think health insurance companies will make these services accessible for all who have insurance. I am looking forward to the future and preparing for it. I know my business and I am where it’s supposed to be, supporting this amazing holistic industry.
Pricing:
- Revival Signature Facial $80.
- 1 hour Swe-Deep Massage $80
- 1 hour Manual Lymphatic Drainage $100
- 1 hour and 15 minutes CBD Massage $140
- Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching Plans (vary in price and package-free 1st consultation)
Contact Info:
- Address: 9358 SW 40 Street
Miami, Fl
33165 - Website: www.revivalskinandbody.com
- Phone: 305/266-9655
- Email: info@revivalskinandbody.com
- Instagram: skinspa_christy
Image Credit:
I would like to thank my mom for taking my pictures.
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