Daily Inspiration: Meet Ashley Rangel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Rangel.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My goal every single day is to bring joy to someone’s life. I use this in my career. If I can inspire a room full of estheticians to love what they do, represent our industry with passion, and be so excited about the body’s largest organ, it’s a win for me.

Hi! I’m Ashley Rangel, a licensed esthetician for the last 13 years. I am the owner of SKN Geeks which combines all the brands I represent under one roof. I am the Business Development Manager and Educator for IMAGE Skincare since 2010, a supplier for dermaplaning supplies and work for a device company called Bio-Therapeutic. One of my most rewarding positions is that of the Governor appointed position as a Board Member for the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. In my spare time, I spend time with my little family and travel when we can. For fun, I teach esthetics in a fun way on Instagram or you can find me in event planning.

The story of how it all began.

Growing up, my mother always played with makeup. She always had the Kevin Aucoin book out, trying new looks on me. Little did I know I would end up actually wanting to do it for a living! I applied for a hair school at 18 years old in Denver, CO while living in Emporia, KS. While I was waiting for the right time to finally get out there, I decided to head to college. After years of trying to find a major that would work, the opportunity came for me to move to Denver finally at age 22! Right as I was about to start, I heard about an esthetician and did some more research and decided rather than hair school, to go into the esthetics field. Once I graduated esthetics, I started working at a spa there as an apprentice. After one month of being there, I ended up coming back home to visit my family and just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I got offered a job to work with my favorite skincare company, IMAGE Skincare! I couldn’t turn it down! So I went back to Denver, packed all my things and moved back home to Kansas a week later. All I had was grit, passion, ambition, credit cards and $20 in my bank account.

My first year with IMAGE was full of many learning experiences. Lots of failures. Lots of doors closed in my face. People didn’t take a 25 years old as serious in our industry as I was also new to sales in this capacity. I was scared to death to teach classes in front of people, but I took on the challenge and got more confident over time. Going into my second year, I was Rookie of the Year! All the hard work and never giving up while facing adversity shined through. From there it was nothing but up! My goal was to inspire estheticians to love our industry as much as I did and to guide them in their success and be their biggest cheerleader. To take that a step further, I spoke with the Board of Cosmetology about a position as a board member. There had never been an esthetician on state board before and I knew this was a place I could help represent all estheticians on a larger capacity.

In December of 2017, that dream became a reality and I was sworn into office! I have been very fortunate to represent estheticians as a whole and love being a voice for them. In 2018, I started my business SKN Geeks which is primarily all the businesses I represent and my education blanketed under one roof. I look forward to expanding it in ways to help all estheticians expand their education and become more well-rounded for their clients. This all has lead me where I am today. IMAGE Skincare has always been my tools in my toolbox, but the end of the day if I can impact an esthetician to grow and help guide them to success, that’s a win for me. That is what feeds my soul every day.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey to be where I am today is full of failures and growing pains. You have to fail to learn. As I have aged gracefully and grown up in this industry, I now experience the struggles less. When I first started, there was a lot of mistakes made and so much I had to learn. I cannot tell you how many times I shed tears in that car of mine and still do here and there. Sales isn’t easy! The biggest struggle I have had to face is in 2020, I got diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease. Almost overnight, my entire life changed. When my mind wants to go go go, my body only allows me to do so much. So I have had to slow down significantly and have to add in rest days. Just a 3-4 hour class can knock me on my feet for 2 days. I am so thankful for my clients, their generosity, and their patience with me as I have navigated through this the last two years.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an esthetician first and foremost. I do not practice much these days as I spend most of my time doing sales with my company SKN Geeks, I have worked with IMAGE Skincare as an independent contractor for the last 13 years and recently brought on Bio-Therapeutic which is a device company. I sell dermaplaning supplies and teach classes to broaden their knowledge in our field.

I am a board member for the Board of Cosmetology.

I’m known for bringing passion and love to this industry! Inspiring estheticians to love what they do, take pride in their careers and help them level up is what I enjoy doing.

What separates me from the rest…my heart. I care so much about the estheticians I meet. I want to see them do well. I want them to do better than me and that’s what leaders do. Leaders eat last. I’m in this for impacting people’s lives. Changing their mindsets and helping them achieve their goals. If I can impact one person’s life, it just means I still have more work to do for others.

What makes you happy?
Music and dance. Music brings me joy. I listen to all the layers in a song. The cadence of someone’s vocals. I love the whole process behind building a song. I love the way it makes me feel. It’s something I share with my kids which they also bring me so much love.

I love to laugh and can find humor even in darker times. I don’t take life too seriously.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.skngeeks.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/skngeeks?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skngeeks