Meet Cat Markham | Corrective Facialist & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cat Markham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cat, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I wanted to do something that I was passionate about without being tied down to a 9-5 job. Although as many know, starting your own business is like working 24/7. I wanted the flexibility to make my own schedule so I can be with my family and be there for my daughter because she’s my #1 priority. At the end of the day, I do it for her but I get to do something that excites me and makes me happy. I’ve always loved skincare and wanted to pursue a career where I get to help people, so esthetics allowed me to do both.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a corrective facialist and acne specialist! I grew up having acne and struggled with how to clear it. I sought out dermatologists who prescribed me everything under the sun but didn’t actually get to the root cause of why I was breaking out. I never found clarity until I went to an esthetician who helped me clear my skin. It’s because of my struggles with acne that I became an esthetician. I wanted to understand why it forms and what can be done both internally and externally to clear it. It’s really hard going through it and can impact your confidence in a lot of ways so I helping people get their confidence back.

It was really hard to get to where I am today and it’s honestly a continuous uphill battle. Starting a business with a baby is incredibly challenging and rewarding. There are moments of self doubt, but what encourages me are my clients. They are really the ones that keep me going because they’re constant reminders that I’m doing something really special. To see the results they achieve while working with me, the conversations we get to have every month, and the connections I’ve made are something I don’t take for granted. I feel very lucky to have met so many amazing people through my business.

I think I’ve had to learn to not put so much pressure on myself. That’s my biggest challenge because I expect perfection immediately and wanted my business to take off the second it started which is never realistic. There are set-backs and hurdles to jump through with any business and that’s forced me to take a step back and just learn how to manage it and see it as an opportunity for growth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would, of course, take them to Pacific City because there’s just so much to do in one spot and it’s right on the beach. We’d go shopping, get coffee at Philz, and then we’d walk to Sushi on Fire because it’s the best and nothing compares! I’ve looked. In the morning we’d go to Newport to get coffee at Vacancy and then walk by the beach. After that we’d have brunch at Eat Chow and then finish the day at Green Cheek which is a little brewery in Costa Mesa! Another favorite of mine!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout my husband, James. He has always supported me with everything I’ve wanted to pursue and encouraged me along the way. He supported me through esthetician school and helped me with every step of getting my business together. I decided to start a business with a 4 month old baby having no idea what I was doing and he was my rock through it all. My mom, dad, and stepmom have also been big supporters and have really helped me get my business where it is today, whether that’s helping me with my daughter or just reminding me I can do anything I put my mind to. Finally, I want to shoutout my old boss turned close friend, Catie who has been a massive mentor for me as a mom, esthetician and business owner. I actually don’t think I’d be where I am today without her!

Website: dewyskinoc.com

Instagram: @thedewyesthetician

Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/dewy-skin-oc-huntington-beach-2

Image Credits
Kari Tello