Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimmie Alessi.
Hi Kimmie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story with skin started way before I ever thought I’d make it a career. I grew up with a birthmark on my face and later battled psoriasis in high school, so I know firsthand how much skin can shape the way you feel about yourself. That’s where the curiosity started, wanting to figure out how to care for skin in a way that went deeper than just appearances.
I started out in the beauty world as a hair color specialist. I loved the chemistry, the creativity, and that instant transformation clients felt when they left my chair. But once I moved into skincare, everything changed. I realized this was where my heart really lived. Skincare wasn’t just about looking good, it was about connection, confidence, and giving people a ritual that made them feel like themselves again.
Travel has only deepened that passion. A thermal water massage in Kyoto, a facial in Tokyo that felt like art, a heritage-inspired massage in Salzburg, and luxe retreats here in the U.S. showed me that true wellness isn’t a quick fix. Ancient rituals carry wisdom, intention, and results that last.
That’s why I created Salt & Rind, a space where global inspiration meets my love for the La Jolla lifestyle, with a focus on joy, longevity, and well-being inspired by the Blue Zones. For me, every treatment is like a passport stamp, luxurious, grounding, and unforgettable. My goal is for people to walk out not just glowing, but feeling like they’ve had a little adventure of their own.
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 road here has been anything but smooth. I’ve bought and sold a salon and spa, started Salt & Rind as a product line out of pure passion, then grew it into a brick-and-mortar in downtown. Each stage came with its own lessons, long hours, financial risk, and plenty of moments where I questioned if I was out of my mind for chasing it.
Most recently, I took a giant leap of faith by uprooting everything and moving Salt & Rind into a new location with a new clientele. It was a full trust fall, everything I had on the line. There were days it felt overwhelming, but those challenges forced me to sharpen my vision and reminded me why I started in the first place.
In an industry that’s packed with trends and quick fixes, I’ve had to choose again and again to stay true to myself and my beliefs. Salt & Rind isn’t about doing what’s popular, it’s about creating something meaningful, rooted in ritual, results, and inspiration from around the world. That hasn’t always been the easy road, but it’s the one that makes me proud to be here today. And through it all, I remind myself to have fun, because this is a journey, and I want to enjoy every step of it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Salt & Rind?
Salt & Rind is a boutique spa in La Jolla built around the art of sugaring hair removal and facials that marry global techniques and rituals with modern science. Every treatment is layered with intention, whether it’s gua sha, intra-oral massage for decompression, myofascial release, lymphatic draining, or sculpting. Our clients don’t just come in for a service, they step into a ritual that feels rare, grounding, and unforgettable.
This year we launched the World Tour: Skin Edition, a passport-style experience that brings clients on a seasonal journey through skincare traditions from around the world. Each stop on the tour introduces a new story and method, giving people the chance to experience techniques they won’t find anywhere else.
What makes Salt & Rind different is that we don’t just treat the skin, we create moments of joy and connection. From sipping a Bellini to start your service to savoring locally made Swiss truffles, every detail is thoughtfully curated. It’s these touches, combined with our rituals, that make Salt & Rind feel like more than a spa. It’s a sanctuary that reflects who we are and what we love sharing with our community.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I’ve collected mentors along the way, often in unexpected places. My best advice is simple: find someone who is already doing what you want to do or has gone where you want to go. Connect with them, learn from them, and follow their lead. Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal, it can be as natural as building relationships with people who inspire you and being willing to listen, observe, and grow alongside them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saltandrind.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandrindsociety?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
