Today we’d like to introduce you to Phoebe Guymer.
Phoebe, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Phoebe! I’m a Holistic Esthetician and the owner of The Well – Holistic Facial Spa in La Jolla. Since I was young, around age 11, I would lead my older siblings and their friends in evening yoga classes by the warm glow of the living room fire. I would eventually guide them to relax in Shavasana, then go around giving scalp and face massages. I lit up from their positive feedback, it’s no wonder I ended up here! I’ve always known I had an intuitive touch and the ability to make people feel relaxed and at ease. Over the past four years, I have honed my skills in touch and technique to ensure my clients feel comfortable, relaxed, and truly cared for. My goal for every client is to make them feel important and cherished during their treatment, leaving with glowing skin and a rested mind, body, and spirit. I attended California Advanced Esthetics, where I laid the foundation for my skincare expertise. After completing my initial education, I pursued further training in holistic skincare, including an intensive in-person course with Yakov Gershkovich, a world-renowned Buccal and facial sculpting massage instructor. From him, I learned extraordinary techniques and have since refined and evolved these methods to create a seamless facial experience that can transport clients into a state of deep relaxation. It’s a blessing to spend this one-on-one time with wonderful individuals, serving as a channel for their relaxation and beauty. Along side our spas regular treatments, I also hold classes where I share these advanced techniques with other estheticians, helping them understand the client’s perspective and creating an environment where they can step out of their busy minds and into a serene state of body and breath. Love is in the details!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey certainly hasn’t been without its challenges. After nearly a year at my first location in La Jolla, I had built a wonderful client base and felt truly settled in the space I was renting. But unexpectedly, I was given just one month’s notice to vacate. It was an incredibly stressful moment — my books were fully booked for weeks in advance, and many clients had active packages.
Rather than panic, I focused on finding a solution. I spent days walking up and down the streets, determined to find the perfect new space for my business. Thankfully, I eventually did. With the clock ticking, I used the entire month of December to completely transform that space — we knocked down walls, tore up old carpet, removed outdated popcorn ceilings — turning it into what is now The Well – Holistic Facial Spa.
Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise. The new space created so much room for growth. Today, we’ve expanded to a team of three talented aestheticians, and the business has evolved beyond what I could have imagined. That unexpected obstacle ultimately pushed me — and the business — to grow in ways I’m deeply grateful for.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Well – Holistic Facial Spa ?
At The Well – Holistic Facial Spa, we take a truly holistic approach to skin health. Our philosophy is rooted in the understanding that glowing, healthy skin is a reflection of both internal wellbeing and external care. We don’t just treat the surface — we educate and empower our clients to care for their skin by nurturing the whole body, mind, and spirit.
We specialize in advanced, hands-on techniques that set us apart in the skincare world. We are proud to be known for our signature lymphatic drainage treatments, sculpting facial massage, Buccal intraoral facials, and our deeply relaxing, results-driven facials. These techniques not only enhance skin health and appearance but also support detoxification, circulation, and overall vitality.
In terms of products, we exclusively use carefully curated, organic skincare lines such as Éminence Organics and Living Libations. These lines align with our values — prioritizing purity, effectiveness, and respect for both the skin and the environment.
What truly sets us apart is our unwavering standard of excellence and the level of care we provide. We give 110% to every client who walks through our doors — tailoring each treatment to their unique needs, ensuring they feel cared for, seen, and supported.
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is the environment we’ve created: a space where self-care is sacred, education is empowering, and beauty is redefined as health, confidence, and inner balance. For us, it’s not just about facials — it’s about helping people feel their absolute best, inside and out
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned on this journey is the power of starting small and growing organically. In the early days of my career, I was eager to dive in — I even considered taking out a loan to renovate a big space. But a quirky friend of my dad’s gave me advice that stuck with me: “Keep your overhead low.”
I took that advice to heart. Instead of rushing into a large space, I started by offering house calls — packing up my massage table and all my supplies into the back of my little convertible Volkswagen Beetle and bringing a beautiful, personalized experience directly to my clients’ homes. It was humble, grassroots, and the perfect way to build trust, experience, and a loyal client base.
As my clientele steadily grew, I was able to rent my first space — a milestone that felt earned and sustainable. That approach — taking intentional, steady steps rather than biting off more than I could chew — has shaped how I run my business to this day.
Growing at your own pace, focusing on quality, and staying grounded has been the key, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Pricing:
- Our Dermplane Treatment is $130
- Our Bespoke Organic Facials ranges from $176-$205
- Our Buccal Facial Sculpting Massage ranges from $275-$350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.thewelllajolla.com
- Instagram: @thewell_lajolla
- Facebook: @thewell_lajolla
Image Credits
@vanessacindyphoto
