Cassidy Self shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Cassidy, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Honestly? A little bit of both. I’m definitely someone who trusts my intuition and lets my heart lead the way; that part of me “wanders” in the best sense. But at the same time, that intuition has never taken me off course. It’s the thing that keeps me aligned with my purpose.
So I’d say I’m walking a path with intention and purpose… but I’m not afraid to take the scenic route when it feels right. Every decision I’ve made with Skin Sanctuary Co. has been a mix of instinct, intention, and trusting that I know what’s right for me and the community I’m so grateful to serve. And so far, that blend has led me exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Cassidy Self, the owner and Master Esthetician behind Skin Sanctuary Co. I’ve been a licensed esthetician for almost nine years and a makeup artist for over a decade, and at the core of my brand is one belief: skincare and makeup are more than routines — they’re daily self-love rituals that can change the way you show up for yourself, and therefore change how you show up in the world.
Skin Sanctuary is all about balance. I specialize in corrective, results-driven treatments, but I pair them with a relaxing, approachable experience that helps my clients actually enjoy taking care of their skin. It’s a space where science meets nature, where clinical results meet calm energy, and where women feel supported no matter what season of life their skin is in.
What makes my studio unique is that everything I offer is customized in the moment. I meet each client exactly where they are, blending intuition with expertise to create treatments and routines that truly fit their lifestyle. Right now I’m expanding my long-term skin transformation programs, growing my makeup artistry offerings, and really leaning into education – helping women understand why their skin behaves the way it does and how we can get it thriving again.
Skin Sanctuary Co. is more than a skincare and makeup studio. It’s a space where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to love the skin they’re in.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was someone who never felt called to the traditional path, and I eventually learned to stop apologizing for that. I’ve always believed there’s more than one way to build a successful life, and for me, that didn’t look like a degree or a corporate job.
I walked off the beaten path early. I left college, trusted my hands, my creativity, and my heart, and chose entrepreneurship instead.
It wasn’t the version of success we’re handed in America, but it was the one that felt true to me.
And that’s exactly who I still am today… someone who creates her own way, follows her heart, and builds something meaningful by choosing passion over prescription. Skin Sanctuary Co. was born from that same energy: believing there’s always a different, more authentic path and having the courage to take it.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You don’t have to fit into the version of success everyone else believes in. Trust your instincts. They’re leading you exactly where you’re meant to be. Your creativity, your heart, and your sensitivity aren’t weaknesses… they’re your superpowers. Keep following what feels good and true to you. Everything you’re dreaming about is going to happen, and you won’t have to change who you are to get there.
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. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity. I never want to create a space where people feel like they have to shrink, perform, or pretend. Whether it’s in my business or my personal life, I’m committed to keeping things real. Real conversations, real expectations, real connection, and real care.
In the beauty industry especially, it’s easy to get caught up in perfection or comparison. But I’ve built Skin Sanctuary Co. around the opposite: being honest about where you are, celebrating the parts of you that make you unique, and choosing what feels true over what looks trendy.
Authenticity is the culture I protect because it’s the foundation of everything – trust, growth, confidence, creativity, and genuine relationships. And I believe when women feel safe to be themselves, everything else thrives.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What false labels are you still carrying?
Whew, this one makes me feel vulnerable! Leaning into that honestly, I’ve carried for a long time is the idea that I’m “not enough”. Not experienced enough, not qualified enough, not business-minded enough… basically, imposter syndrome in all its sneaky forms.
Even after almost nine years as an esthetician and over a decade as a makeup artist, building a business from scratch, and creating real results for real women every day, there’s still a part of me that occasionally whispers, “Who do you think you are?”
But the truth is, that voice isn’t mine. It’s a leftover label from a world that tells you success has to look a certain way. Degrees, titles, traditional paths. I didn’t choose that path, so sometimes my brain tries to convince me I don’t belong.
I’m learning to let that label go. My work, my clients, my results, and the business I’ve built speak louder than any outdated narrative. And every time I show up fully as myself, that false label loses more and more power.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://skinsanctuaryco.com
- Instagram: @skinsanctuaryco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skinsanctuaryco/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/skin-sanctuary-marietta
Image Credits
@gicaphoto
