Growing with Couture: How One Employee Evolved Through Multiple Roles

What does it mean to truly grow with a company from its earliest days? In this heartfelt conversation, we sit down with Dominique, who has been part of the Couture Med Spa family since its first year of operation. Her remarkable journey from document scanner to social media specialist mirrors the evolution of Couture itself—from a small team in a single location to a thriving business with multiple spas across different states.

Dominique takes us through her professional metamorphosis, sharing how she progressed from scanning paper records to becoming a medical assistant, client care coordinator, location manager, executive assistant, and now a client liaison and social media specialist. Throughout these transitions, she balanced her career growth with personal milestones, including marriage and motherhood. What makes her story particularly compelling is how seamlessly her professional development intertwined with Couture's expansion.

The most striking aspect of Dominique's narrative is her emphasis on Couture's consistent family-like culture. Despite significant growth, the company maintained its warm, supportive environment—something Dominique credits as central to both her personal satisfaction and professional success. "Couture raised me," she reflects, highlighting how deeply intertwined her identity has become with the company. For those in the aesthetics industry or considering it as a career path, Dominique offers valuable advice: "Be gentle with yourself. It's a lot of information and it's always evolving."

Whether you're curious about career growth in the aesthetics industry, wondering how companies maintain their culture through expansion, or simply enjoy stories of personal and professional development, this conversation offers genuine insights from someone who has experienced it all firsthand. Listen now to discover how the right workplace can become not just a job, but a second family that supports your growth every step of the way.

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:15

Welcome back to Couture Conversations, the podcast where we dive into all things beauty, confidence and the incredible people behind Couture Med Spa. I'm your host, lindsay, lead esthetician here at Couture. Today I'm excited to be joined by Dominique. Dominique has been with Couture for almost since the very beginning and we'll be exploring her amazing journey with the company, how her roles have evolved over time and the growth that she has seen along the way. So let's jump in, dom, hello, thank you for joining me today. Thank you for having me.

Speaker 1 0:46

I'm very excited. I am too. So I'll start off with a fun little story about Dominique. So the very first time that I had met Dominique well, I don't know if I would necessarily say met her, but I was you probably don't even remember this. So I was a little, I was a little newbie esthetician and I had just graduated, probably like six or seven months ago, and I worked down the street at a doctor's office and I was born and raised in Ocoee and I remember seeing that a med spa had opened in Ocoee and I'm like I put a med spa on Ocoee, brand spanking new.

Speaker 1 1:23

I was like no one's going to go to a med spa on a co-e, but I was super excited because I was just in a session. I'm like maybe they need someone. So me and two of my coworkers on our lunch break came by the spa and I was talking, I walked in, I was like, oh, I just want to see what you guys do here and everything. And I forget who it was at the time. But they, you know, kind of showed me around, showed me everything. They were like, oh, we do this, this and this. And they were like oh, and we do like lip filler. And they were like, look, she just got her lips done and I'm like, don't worry, it was you, oh no, and your lips look great, by the way, but I remember you being like they're super swollen right now. I like they'll go down, come back and check them out in like two weeks and you can see, come back, come back, um.

Speaker 2 2:05

But yeah you, sometimes it gets scary that swelling is is real for some people yeah, I was not. I personally love the swelling, but if you're like never seen it before, you're like whoa, and that was like don't worry it goes down.

Speaker 1 2:20

So that was me.

Speaker 2 2:22

I had never seen like filler or anything and they really did.

Speaker 1 2:24

They looked good, they weren't like super crazy or anything, but I remember being like oh, she just got her lips done and she's like working Like she got it, oh, okay, so excited so yeah, and then I sent my resume over, yeah.

Speaker 2 2:40

But that was. That was the first time that I had met you and they were all like this is Dom, she's got her lips done.

Speaker 1 2:44

So that was the first time that I had met you and they were all like this is Dom, she's her little dog. So that was my first introduction with you. Oh, I'm glad I loved it. It was great memorable it made me love couture, made me want to be there.

Speaker 2 2:54

So you have been with couture since almost the very beginning right, yeah, I think, um, you know, we we were planning our one year anniversary party which was like circus theme or something, and you know it was a very small team and actually, yeah, it's just kind of been a ride from there.

Speaker 1 3:16

So how did you find Couture? How did you start at Couture?

From Document Scanner to Medical Assistant

Speaker 2 3:19

Honestly, my mom was a member, so I was moving back home and she mentioned it to Diane and was like I, my daughter's coming back, like she doesn't really have anything set up here. Diane was like, bring her in, like let's, let's interview her, let's figure out if we can do something. And uh came in, uh interviewed with Ashley Uh, it was seven minutes long and I think I started like that next Monday or something. Um, so, you know, I obviously my mom was a member, but I had no idea that she had even, you know, was doing any of these treatments. And so, you know, at first I was like what, what do I even do? Um, I actually didn't start in the med spa.

Speaker 2 4:03

I was hired as a just you know, 1099 helping scan documents in because we had just switched to this new system and they were switching away from paper, and so I did that gosh for a month or two and Diane was like, if you finish that, we'll figure out where you want to go. She was like, if you finish that, we'll, we'll figure out where you want to go. And she was like you can either work. And back then it was, you know, front desk and then, uh, you were a medical assistant and she was like we'll figure out which one you want to do. And of course I wanted to be her right hand. I wanted to be a medical assistant. So, um, after scanning gosh endless amounts of paper I think me and the shredder were like that but after doing all that, it kind of just took off from there and yeah, we ran it.

Speaker 1 4:52

How many of you were working at the time? How many employees did you guys?

Speaker 2 4:55

have. It was Ashley Diane, me and I think well, we had an esthetician at the time, and then one more person, and you know, that was our crew, that was everybody.

Speaker 2 5:09

So were you pretty much the only like client care coordinator, yep I ran the floor and you know I was doing, I was rooming, I was numbing, charting, you know, eventually it became more of like a cross-train thing and I did everything, um, but you know, and just having that core group, and then you know, seeing how things have evolved, it's, it's been awesome what part of that, um being a client care coordinator at that time did you enjoy the most?

Speaker 2 5:45

Oh geez, um, what did I enjoy the most? I was all so fun. I think you know I was obviously younger, um, and we were just so close and just being able to. I mean, it's like going to work with your best friends every day, um, in like a good way, um, so you just you do your tasks and then you know, a lot of times we'd go out and have dinner afterward or we'd go hang out together, so, um, I don't know it's, it was just kind of a combination of everything.

Growing Through Different Roles

Speaker 1 6:23

So how has your role changed since those first couple of years that you were with Couture? Kind of take us through your journey of what you don't have to go in super detail of all of them, but just kind of like what are the different things or different roles that you've done with Couture and kind of where you are now?

Speaker 2 6:37

So, obviously, scanning documents and then, you know, medical assisting for a couple of years. I did take about a year break, not working at Couture, but I did come back and so after that I went back to being a client care that's what we called them when I came back was client care coordinators. I did that for a couple of years and then I moved up, I became a manager and I managed. For a couple of years I managed a couple of the locations and then from there I became a executive assistant and after that I have also had two babies within this time frame.

Speaker 2 7:24

So after I had my second daughter, pepper, I came back and now I'm in like a client liaison, like social media position and we do a lot of marketing and I just work a lot with client relations and it's it's been a blast. This has um been a very fun role and you know, moving between all these roles and like having that prior knowledge of all of those past um positions, I think it it just really helps um me in this role understand, like the client side, but also what the team goes through and how I can support both sides. It's really awesome.

Speaker 1 8:14

What have been some of the biggest challenges that you've faced, whether it was personally, professionally, just kind of growing with the company.

Speaker 2 8:22

I think, um it it like we were discussing this previously I think there hasn't really been like a challenge other than, like you know, growing pains. You go into a new role and those are new skills that you have to learn and, um, different tasks and things that you have to grow into. And the challenge has been fun, like because you know, I love like moving around, like all these things, and so learning all these new things and skills has it's been a challenge, but it's also been really exciting.

Speaker 1 9:03

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey.

Witnessing Couture's Expansion

Speaker 2 9:07

Um, I love that I get to work so closely with the clients, um, but also I get to work very closely with the team and now, um, having like being that middleman is very rewarding for me, because it's like I can have a good relationship with the clients and then go and have fun with the girls and it's it's very rewarding for me, like I feel very personally fulfilled on both sides.

Speaker 1 9:38

So, since you've had kind of a front row seat to all of the growth with Couture, what does that look like from your perspective? Yeah, what is the? How have you seen Couture grow?

Speaker 2 9:49

Oh it's, it's changed in every way and not changed in so many ways too. Like the, the culture and the values are very grounded and rooted into who we are, and just seeing that being able to be scaled on like a bigger level it's I mean, that's rewarding in itself. It's like you have that that small core team feel it's very warming, like very comforting, but you're able to scale that. And all the teams are so different but they all work so well together. All the teams are so different, but they all work so well together. So you know, it's just nice to be able to see how it's evolved in a way that still feels like family I would.

Speaker 1 10:43

I think that's spot on Couture very much feels like a family.

Speaker 2 10:56

I've interviewed a lot of people so far that have been with the company, and that seems to be a common thing, which is great. It doesn't matter if there's a hundred team members in a room, like you know all of them, you feel so comfortable with all of them and we all know how to have so much fun together, and so that's really comforting and that, you know, keeps it exciting too, cause, like why would you want to go and be and work anywhere where it doesn't feel like that that just I couldn't do it, and so you know, being able to be privileged in that aspect is everything we're. We're lucky.

Speaker 1 11:23

Yes, we are very lucky. Are there any standout milestones that you really were like? This place is is growing. We're doing this.

Speaker 2 11:33

I mean, you know, we went from. You know Ashley and Diane went from a 10 by 10 room to what a ton of locations now and we're still growing. And I think when Oviedo and Ocoee uh, opened so close together, I think it was like my gosh, like we're doing this. Everyone was strapped in and I mean we took off from there. So after that it was like Mary, and then we franchised and we franchised again and we kept franchising, so like yeah, I think Oviedo and Ocoee for me was like oh my gosh, like here we are.

Speaker 1 12:16

When we went to a different state.

Speaker 2 12:18

Yes, and that was, that was like the second tier part to to that as well as like we're not just in Florida anymore and we're not just even in one one, one other state, like we're in multiple states. Um, so let's take it, take it all over, take it nationally, take it global nicole.

Speaker 1 12:38

Okay, so I'll ask you this because when I was interviewing nicole, um, one day we had talked about like, oh, maybe even like internationally, other places, dream place for a couture to open and you get to go work at it. Where, where would, where would you want to be? Like, anywhere in the world? Anywhere in the world, you can bring couture and you get to work at it. You get to be there, hmm.

Speaker 2 13:00

I think so If I was staying in the U? S, I would probably go a little bit more North, like maybe, uh, like the Carolinas or something, just something with a little. I want a little season. You know, I Florida is nice in a lot of ways, but I do enjoy a good season. Um. So I think somewhere where, like like the Carolinas or somewhere around there, would be really fun. Um, but if we're talking global, um Antarctica no, I'm just kidding, I'll go with you yeah, um, but let's see, I think maybe somewhere in like Europe, um, I think that would be really fun. I'm not, I'm not picky if I'm in Europe, like let's do it.

Speaker 1 13:46

Let's do it.

Speaker 2 13:47

Um, so yeah, I think somewhere in Europe would be really fun. Yeah, that's it All. Right, you hear that.

Speaker 1 13:55

Carolinas or Europe, let's do.

Speaker 2 13:57

Europe.

Speaker 1 13:59

Do you have any favorite memories from the early days at Couture? Are there any like fun or funny memories that you have?

Speaker 2 14:08

One time, before one of our events, I did fall down the hill in the back of winter park, so I was all dressed up.

Speaker 1 14:15

Wait, what was the theme that year? What were you dressed up as, do you remember?

Speaker 2 14:18

Oh gosh, I don't even know it was. Yeah, I took a tumble down the hill and of course there was an audience out there who saw me and I'm pretty sure my dress went up and people saw that. So, uh, I didn't, it was a not so graceful, graceful recovery. So, um, that was fun. And then, let's see, I just, uh, I just enjoy, like we do so many fun events and so when, even when you're working, they're, they're fun, um, dressing up and just being a part of that, those are all good memories, our events are.

Speaker 1 14:57

They're so fun. Clients don't know, they don't know it all goes into it beforehand. I don't know, but they have, but they enjoy it when they enjoy it and I think it almost startles them too, Like we.

Speaker 2 15:09

we turn it into a very immersive event. So those are all really fun, good memories.

Favorite Treatments and Industry Advice

Speaker 1 15:15

If you ever get the chance to come to any of our parties. Yeah, coming out. We got someone up too, I know we do?

Speaker 2 15:21

I'm excited. End of the year is always, you know, look out.

Speaker 1 15:26

So a couple spa questions, I guess.

Speaker 2 15:30

What are.

Speaker 1 15:32

What would you say? Your favorite treatment is?

Speaker 2 15:35

Ooh. So you know, I feel like as you get more busy, you get less time to kind of do these things. Like, realistically, I always enjoy a good IPL Helps. Well, back in the day I was a pepperoni face, so it really helped with my acne. But I think now, as I've gotten older, my skin has changed. It's not so much a issue for me anymore. But I do really enjoy a good dermaplane with hydrofacial or dermaplane with FI or nice, like those are my go-to um facial options. Um, I have really been enjoying our new uh cryotherapy Yep, so I've done a couple of those. I have a little bit of mom mom belly going on, so, um, we're working on that and, yeah, I try to do what I can. Obviously, botox fillers those are always a classic favorite.

Speaker 1 16:36

So Nunu doesn't know the cryotherapy that she was talking about, that is, it uses cold to destroy fat cells. So we do have a lot of people who use it.

Speaker 2 16:45

It's great for cellulite reduction. Tightening skin is really. I've seen some amazing results with that, even Um, so it's very versatile and so I've been doing the whole body like just dunk me in it. Yeah, whole body. I just. Whenever I'm in winter park with Cynthia, I'm like just anywhere, anywhere that looks good, just go for it. Touch me, just let's tighten it anywhere that looks good, just go for it.

Speaker 1 17:13

Touch me, just let's tighten it.

Speaker 2 17:20

So any advice that you would give someone just starting out in the aesthetics industry Um, be gentle with yourself. It's a lot of information and it's always evolving. We're always getting new things, we're always testing new things, looking into new things. So just you know, allow yourself time to learn. I think you know, even from a client perspective, seeing everything we offer is very overwhelming. So when you're, you know, coming into aesthetics, everyone's telling you what's right, what's wrong, what to do, what not to do, and so I think finding people who you really click with and trust is they will guide you through. But yeah, just be patient with yourself. There's a lot going on and we always want to keep evolving in that too.

Speaker 1 18:13

What does being part of the couture family mean to you personally?

Speaker 2 18:16

It's my career, it is my family. Um, I spend a lot of time here, so it's like I'm very close with you and everybody else, and so that is very comforting. Um, but yeah, it's, it's. I mean, couture is literally part of who I am. Like. Couture raised me, um, so I mean there's definitely that aspect too of just like this is, this is my life, this is what I'm passionate about, this is who I choose to spend my time with, um and I. I believe in the brand and this is obviously helped shaped me today.

Speaker 1 18:55

So yeah, yeah, I mean even I think about when I first met you to where you are now, just watching you, how you've evolved, not only professionally at Couture, you know, I've seen all the different jobs that you've taken on, all the different responsibilities and you've excelled at it and you've done amazing at it and I love where you are right now.

Speaker 1 19:20

Um, you know, expanding our, our social presence and our social media, and I've, you know, I've enjoyed watching that part of you, but I've also enjoyed watching the personal side of you. Like I said, you know, I've enjoyed watching that part of you, but I've also enjoyed watching the personal side of you, like I said you've had two kids in between. You've gotten married, you've grown into an adult. I know I'm all grown up.

Speaker 2 19:40

What's happening? I'm almost an adult. I think I don't know there's more adultier adults, but I'm trying.

Speaker 1 19:49

I mean, I'm adultier than you and I'm definitely not an adult. I think I don't know.

Speaker 2 19:52

There's more adultier adults, but I'm trying. I mean, I'm adultier than you and I'm definitely not an adult, so yeah, I'm like, hmm, what else do I want to do? But yeah, it's been really fun. It's um, you know, I think, even just being in this new space, like this new role that I'm in, um, I have been very pleasantly surprised with how close I've been able to work with you, even like just bouncing ideas off of everybody and kind of taking a stressful because it can be stressful a stressful position and making it the Dom version, essentially like more fun and relaxed and just enjoyable, because I don't want it to feel like a chore for everybody and I don't want it to feel like a chore for me either, especially when we can have so much fun with it.

Speaker 1 20:38

so I think that's that's really been enjoyable we love the dom version and it's been nice because it's this role has brought you back into the spas a little bit more, because for a while, especially with being like, assistant and all of that kind of took you a little bit more out of the spas, which was great. It was needed.

Speaker 1 20:59

Certain things obviously happen behind the scenes that need to get done, but this role has really brought you back into the spa, yeah, and you know, we see you in the locations, we interact with you every day, um, and so I think it's been really exciting to kind of watch you grow in this new role, which has been really fun. Yeah, it's been a blast for me. So you have any any final thoughts or comments or anything before we go?

Speaker 2 21:26

Um, just, you know like it's been a pleasure. It's been a pleasure, you know, like seeing everybody and me taking on new things, and I'm, you know, I'm dealing with new people now and I'm learning new things. It's just been so delightful, it really has. So I, I just I hope that it just keeps being fun, and I think it will. I think it will. You'll keep it fun. We always keep it fun. Couture always keeps it fun. Yes, we always keep it fun. We always keep it, keep it real. Yep. So yeah, that's it Awesome. Well, thank you so much for joining me today.

Speaker 1 22:09

Thank you for having me Well, I'm excited to continue to watch you grow and continue to excel in this role and see how our um, socials and everything that you put all the hard work into evolves, so keep an eye out, so you can.

Speaker 1 22:23

You can see all of Dom's lovely work that she does on all of our social media. So, um, you can follow us on Instagram, tik TOK, youtube, facebook. Um, you can visit our website at couturemedspacom, and if you've enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to like and subscribe. You can share it with any of your friends, um, and we look forward to seeing you next time. Thanks for coming. Very, very lovely, lovely time. You did good, thank you.