Meet Viviana Itzel Flores

Meet Viviana Itzel Flores — the talented wax specialist, brow artist, and educator behind @ceraartistryllc, based in Phoenix, Arizona. With over three years of experience in the beauty industry, Viviana has built a name for herself through her dedication to skincare, client confidence, and high-quality service. Her passion for helping others feel their best shines through in everything she does.

What inspired you to become an esthetician?

I’m not your average “I’ve always known what I wanted to be” kind of esthetician. I grew up very poor, raised by a single mother of three in a small two-bedroom trailer. After high school, I decided to go to college, but when COVID hit and my mother got sick, everything changed. I didn’t have the luxury of choosing a career path, I needed something that would help support my family, fast.

Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve loved everything about beauty. I was the one extracting my grandmother’s blackheads or tweezing my mother’s brows just for fun. Still, I ended up working at a well-known gas station, and while the job provided stability and even allowed me to get my first apartment—a huge milestone—I was miserable. The work was demanding both physically and mentally, and deep down I knew I wasn’t fulfilled.

One day, I listened to a podcast that completely shifted my mindset. The host said, “You cannot change your life unless you change something. Change comes from within. If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” That message hit me hard. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be in the beauty industry.

I started researching what services estheticians provide and what I needed to do to become licensed. That’s when my journey truly began—and I haven’t looked back since.

Why did you decide to start your own business?

When I was in esthetician school, we had many guest speakers who inspired me and made me believe that if anyone could do it—it was me. I’ve always been an ambitious person, which has been both my greatest strength and my kryptonite. During that time, I started dating my now-boyfriend, who has supported me from the very beginning.

I remember taking an English class in college where the professor said, “The root of all success is a strong support system—it becomes your foundation.” That really stuck with me. I’m so grateful that my family and my boyfriend became that foundation and my biggest motivation.

With just one month left in esthetician school, I decided to rent out my own suite. Some might have called it crazy, but for me, it was a way to push myself toward success. I took a business class, sought advice from fellow estheticians, and did extensive research. I didn’t give myself the option to fail—I simply had to make it work.

I loved the idea of being in control of my business—my hours, my services, my prices, everything. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was also creating a safe space for myself, and that’s something that brought me so much comfort.

What is your favorite service to perform and why?

 

 

 

Tell us about the biggest challenge you've faced while running your own business. How do you cope?

My biggest challenge has always been myself. I genuinely believe I am my own biggest critic. I started out knowing nothing about running a business—not even how to set it up financially. Now, when people look at my business, they often assume I had it all figured out from the start. The truth is, my greatest obstacle has always been the way I critique myself.

Being in the beauty industry can sometimes feel discouraging because it constantly pushes you to do more, achieve more, and be more. That mindset once made it hard for me to appreciate how far I’d come and how much growth I’d already achieved. Over time, I’ve learned to give myself grace.

It takes an incredible amount of courage to build a business from the ground up without prior experience. That’s something I’ve learned to be proud of—and I think anyone who’s done the same should be, too.

What business goals have you set for yourself this year, and how do you plan to achieve them?

A business goal I set for myself this year was to build both a local and online presence. While I’ve been steadily growing my online presence, there’s truly nothing like being known within your own community. I feel so blessed that my current clients take pride and joy in sharing their waxer with others — this has allowed me to grow my clientele in ways I never imagined.

I’ve joined several Facebook groups and am currently organizing an all-girls event where clients and professionals can connect, network, and share experiences. It’s also an amazing opportunity for me to share my journey as an up-and-coming solo aesthetician.

In the coming year, I’ll continue focusing on strengthening both my local and online presence. My TikTok account currently has 35,000 followers — far exceeding my original goal of reaching 10,000 followers by the end of 2024! I achieved this through consistency and by finding my niche.

I realized that most of my following grew from people watching me perform waxing services. As a Brazilian waxer, it can be challenging since I can’t show full Brazilian waxes, but I’ve been able to share other services like leg and underarm waxing. By staying consistent and showing up every day, I know I’ll continue to grow and reach even greater heights.

What is one business tool you can't live without?

 

The best business tool I can’t live without is social media! Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have been game-changers for me. Social media has not only taught me so much about running a business and creating a safe, welcoming space for my clients, but it has also helped me find new clients and build my brand.

I love the culture that we, as beauty service providers, have created — one where we can express ourselves, design beautiful spaces, and showcase our craft through our posts. Now, with AI becoming a part of social media, every platform offers incredible networking tools that make it easier than ever to reach and connect with new audiences.

 

How and when did you discover Bushbalm? Why did you choose to carry us?

 

I first discovered Bushbalm through a fellow esthetician, and soon after, I started seeing countless posts about Bushbalm Aftercare and Back Bar products. I wanted to see what all the hype was about, so I decided to purchase them myself. 

As someone who values integrity in every retail product I offer, I only carry items that I’ve personally tried and truly loved. When I tried the Sweet Escape Oil and Exfoliating Scrub, I instantly fell in love — and before long, they found a place on my retail shelves.

A few months later, the Sugar Cookie scent launched, and my clients were obsessed! They couldn’t believe there was a product specifically designed for the Brazilian and intimate area that smelled amazing and was so effective for their skin. Many of my clients who struggle with ingrowns often felt discouraged, thinking they had to choose between something that worked and something that smelled nice.

Being able to offer such an incredible product has truly been an honor. It’s not only boosted my clients’ confidence but also strengthened the trust they have in my recommendations. Bushbalm hasn’t just created amazing products for my clients — they’ve also provided so many valuable resources and tools for me as an esthetician.

 

Which Bushbalm product is most popular at your salon? Why do you think that is?

The most popular products at my salon are the Watermelon Sugar Oil and Exfoliating Scrub! My clients love how rewarding it feels to stay consistent with their aftercare — preventing ingrown hairs while smelling absolutely amazing, all with one product.

Every limited-edition scent has been a hit on my shelves! I’ve received so much feedback from clients who can’t believe that a product so effective and beneficial for their skin can also smell this good. Many drugstore scrubs have developed a bad reputation for containing unnecessary additives, but Bushbalm has truly changed the game.

What do you enjoy most about the Bushbalm Pro community?

I absolutely love the incredible strength of the Bushbalm community. It’s a group filled with empowered, ambitious, and truly amazing women. I also have so much appreciation for the Bushbalm team — they’ve created countless tools and resources to help solo aestheticians succeed and have their voices heard.

I look forward to every monthly Zoom call with the Bushbalm team and other successful aestheticians. We’ve built a genuine sense of family and support that’s rare to find.

Building on why I started my business in the first place, the Bushbalm community has become an incredible source of encouragement and inspiration for me and my business.

What advice would you give to new estheticians entering the field?

 

My advice to upcoming aestheticians is to build your reputation from the very beginning. Be consistent, be yourself, and most importantly, treat your clients so exceptionally well that they look forward to coming back every time.

A speaker at my school once said, “You have to go above and beyond for every single client who walks into the room.” That message has always stuck with me. One person knows ten people they can refer you to — and each of those ten knows ten more. Can you imagine the impact you can make by giving just one person an unforgettable experience?

When you consistently provide exceptional service, you build a strong reputation — and your reputation is everything.