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Meet Trailblazer Marissa Leal

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Leal.

Marissa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
This whole journey with skincare all started with me finally letting go of a “starving artist” complex. For some context— My name is Marissa Lauren Leal. I’m from a humble place called Bakersfield and I’ve always had a variety of passions, dreams and ideas, but not a lot of practical skills around applying myself. I moved to LA in my teens to be a singer/songwriter and went into survival mode for about four years. I worked 16+ hour days and totally burned out. There were so many life-altering moments and experiences I’d never take back but when I moved to San Diego to catch a break— a light was presented on the ways in which I was denying myself the basics.

I didn’t wash my face. I hardly ever wore matching socks. It felt so trivial but so significant all at once. I could be whoever I wanted. I just needed to lay the foundations. I needed to let myself expand beyond my ideas of what it all ‘should’ look like and trust myself wholeheartedly. When the idea of the esthetics program was presented to me, I just jumped on it. It was a shot at something that could really showcase passions I hadn’t explored as deeply as I would’ve liked, and gain some stability to properly support myself. Rose Quartz Skin started as an Instagram page with a few product reviews and a vulnerable account of my personal journey with consistent self-care —— and grew into what it is today as almost a direct reflection of the progress that has occurred.

Has it been a smooth road?
My biggest struggle has been a mental one —- the challenge of getting out of my own way. Being the sole owner and person responsible for such a huge concept tends to highlight areas that have been neglected, certain skills that need work, and where old beliefs just aren’t going to be able to hang out any longer. Less than six months before I opened my studio, I was in heavy transition—- living in a hostel and working as a traveling esthetician. I could barely lift that bed!! My whole life was literally in my car. I made it work. I told myself everyday that better was coming. I didn’t have the choice to listen to the trivial worries of my mind, I had to believe in the matter. I had to hold strong in my faith that if I kept moving forward, momentum would take over.

I think with any project or goal, struggles are part of the territory. Whether it’s financial, physical, or mental, each moment is a new opportunity to learn, to forgive, to reinvent or hit the ground running. I find that to be such a privilege. It is a privilege to have struggles of my own and know that I have the tools to get through them. I’m reminding everyday that without action Rose Quartz Skin is just an idea. It is that heartbreaking reality that has guided my soul to new heights.

My advice to young women just starting their journey to where ever their heart has called them—- is to know that all the power is in YOU being committed to all of you. Your light and your dark. Everything in between. Stay grounded, let yourself have days where you reflect on yourself honestly and without emotional attachment. Also, have days where you travel so far into your own world you feel brilliant and alone. Write it down. All of it. Have a morning routine. Whether it’s to wake up and drink lemon water and journal… or run five miles and dance around your room.. build that trust with yourself and your ability to achieve goals. When you trust yourself, it’s much easier to make clear decisions and see out your ideas.

Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I specialize in energy healing facials. They each include intuitive massage, custom skin readings, and a crystal to take home. I’m most proud of the transparency that has been prevalent since day one of the brand. I’ve had the opportunity to share every step of my growth publicly and the support keeps it all cycling. I also am so thrilled about the name! I wanted people to know what we were about right when reading it and often my guests say that’s how they found me. The name was a reclaiming of my journey based on the first crystal I ever received—- you guessed it! Rose Quartz!

What sets me apart from others is my personal commitment and relationship to energy healing as well as the 10+ years of customer service “above and beyond” attitude imprinted into my soul. There’s a magic that’s overtaken the brand —- and it’ll only keep growing.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
I talk often about how much my mother influenced me as a child. She was the ultimate giver of unconditional love and Rose Quartz energy. She’d walk into a room and easily diffuse tension, have a smile on her face no matter what and cry like she meant it. When I was born, she was selling mattresses and started going to school part-time to become a teacher. She was the first woman in her family to get a degree and she did it all while raising two girls. She was one of the first people who truly encouraged me in receiving the fullness of life—- and that it was ok to be creative in how you get there.

Another woman who deeply inspires me is Krystal Brandt. I can hear her sweet eeeeek! As I write this. Krystal is a writer, mentor, speaker currently living in Ohio but I met her in San Diego! I was first her client in a group women’s mentorship called “Courage of Ease” — an INTENSE ride in which I unraveled myself and came back to my core with all of the love and support I could have ever asked for. She is a warrior for the divine feminine I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing her empower women with the same ease she teaches them. Her word art is what really gets me… I have so many small phrases in my head from her that encourage me all day long. I know that where I am today was highly impacted by all the growth I did by her side the last few years.

Pricing:

  • Use code ‘SDVOY’ in the notes of your next booking for $20 off any service

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Image Credit:
Photo of me styling, clothing & image credit: Yoko Chai

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