An Inspired Chat with Gabrielle Rogers of Metro Atlanta

Gabrielle Rogers shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Gabrielle, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes — recently I had a few moments that made me laugh and fill up with pride. One that still cracks me up: during a community pop-up I ran, a little girl insisted on giving my assistant a “very serious” facial diagnosis — complete with dramatic hand gestures and a tiny sticky note labeled “needs more sparkle.” We all burst out laughing, and watching that child take ownership of self-care reminded me why I do this work.

What makes me proud is seeing those small moments add up into something big. At the Atlanta Women’s Expo my team and I provided free services that translated to over six-figures in community impact value — but more than the number, it’s the messages and hugs afterward that stick with me. Parents telling us their teen left with new confidence, or a client saying our program helped them feel seen — those moments make every long hour worth it.

I’m proud not because of accolades, but because the mission is working: we’re changing how people think about beauty and wellness, one confident smile at a time.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Gabrielle “Gigi” Rogers (you can also call me Golden G) — founder of Your Golden Hour Aesthetics & Wellness, a community-first skincare and wellness brand that blends clinical esthetics with compassionate care. I’m an esthetician and a Registered Behavior Technician, and I built this business because I believe beauty is more than surface — it’s confidence, care, and access. We offer facials, peels, waxing, massage, body treatments, and youth wellness programs designed to meet people where they are, not where the beauty industry expects them to be.

What makes us different is our mission-first approach: we pair professional spa services with outreach programs that remove barriers to self-care. From free pop-ups and our Atlanta Women’s Expo work (which created six-figure community impact value) to Golden Glow Summer Camp for girls and Golden Spectrum ABA services for neurodivergent families, we center empowerment, education, and inclusion in everything we do. Our goal isn’t just glowing skin — it’s real, sustained confidence and community wellness.

Right now I’m growing our corporate wellness offerings and preparing to expand into Charlotte, while building toward a Therapeutic Wellness Center that combines aesthetics, mental health support, and community programs under one roof. If you care about accessible self-care that heals and uplifts, that’s what Your Golden Hour is all about — helping people feel seen, supported, and beautiful on their own terms. Find us on Instagram @goldenhour_aestheticsatl.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think what breaks bonds between people often comes down to a lack of understanding, communication, or compassion. When people feel unheard, unseen, or judged, trust starts to dissolve. Sometimes it’s not intentional — life gets busy, we carry our own struggles, and we forget to slow down and connect. Other times it’s deeper, like betrayal or disappointment, and those experiences can create distance that feels hard to bridge.

What restores bonds is the opposite — empathy, transparency, and consistent care. For me, it’s been about creating spaces where people can show up authentically and be valued. Whether it’s in my spa, at a community event, or through my youth programs, I’ve seen how small gestures of kindness and accountability can rebuild trust. Bonds grow strong again when we choose to listen, honor people’s experiences, and show up even when it’s not convenient.

At the heart of my brand and my life is that belief: that healing isn’t just about skincare or therapy, it’s about restoring bonds — with yourself and with others.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes — there was definitely a time I almost gave up. A couple of years ago, I faced an eviction in the middle of trying to build my business. On top of that, I was working long hours, putting myself through school, and pouring everything I had into a brand that wasn’t yet financially stable. It felt like no matter how hard I pushed, life kept pushing back harder.

What kept me from walking away was my why — the vision of making self-care accessible, especially for people who are often overlooked. I reminded myself that if I quit, the girls in my summer camp wouldn’t have that space to build confidence, the families in my ABA program wouldn’t have that support, and the clients who look forward to their “golden hour” wouldn’t have that safe place. So instead of quitting, I restructured, sought resources, and leaned on my community.

That low point became fuel. Now, every time I see a client smile after a treatment or a parent thank me for helping their child, I know why I held on.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Honestly, the public version of me is real — but it’s not the full picture. People see the wins, the polished events, and the smiles, but they don’t always see the tears in the car before a meeting, or the nights I’m questioning if I can keep going. I’ve been through housing struggles, financial setbacks, and personal battles that don’t always make it to social media.

The truth is, both versions are me. The public side is the light I choose to share, but the private side holds the grit, the fears, and the fight that make that light possible. I think the balance of the two is what makes my story authentic — I don’t have it all figured out, but I keep showing up anyway.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What false labels are you still carrying?
Growing up, I had an IEP in school and was labeled as “special.” At the time, that label felt limiting — as if it defined what I couldn’t do instead of what I was capable of. For years, I carried the weight of being underestimated, of people assuming my path would be small because I learned differently.

Now, I realize that label never defined me — it refined me. The same resilience it took to navigate school with an IEP is the resilience that fuels me today. I’m proud to say I’m now a Truist Bank Foundation Fellow, a Cornell University Women’s Entrepreneurship Fellow, and a Brand Ambassador for over 30 major companies including Live Nation, Chase, American Express, Indeed, and Paramount Pictures.

The false label of being “less than” has been replaced with proof that I am more than enough. My story shows that being “special” isn’t a weakness — it’s my superpower.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://goldenhouraesthetics.styleseat.com
• Instagram: Goldenhour_Aestheticsatl
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-rogers-691b9095?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app