Abigail Trudden currently lives in Garden City, New York, surrounded by her two siblings and her parents.  She attended the University of North Carolina, and with an undecided major Abigail Trudden decided she would follow her father’s footsteps in the financial advisor field but quickly realized that it wasn’t where her interest lied.  Deciding to explore her options further Abigail moved to California and lived in West Hollywood where she got a job in a little niche store that sold high-end makeup and skin care.  Abigail Trudden explains that at that time she thought skin care meant a bar of soap, so for her, this was a new experience.  She quickly fell in love with learning about all the different ingredients in the products and especially enjoyed doing cosmetic makeovers for her customers.  Abigail recalls that a woman came in feeling down, Ms. Trudden enhanced her client’s features with a makeover, talked about taking care of her skin and immediately the customer looked beautiful and felt better.  This resulted in Abigail’s passion to make people look beautiful and feel positive.  While makeup was transformative, and it was her first love she also realized that the foundation of having great makeup was having great skin.   Abigail went back to school and graduated with a medical aesthetic license.  She is the founder and CEO of Redfyned Skincare in Garden City, New York.

How did you get started in Beauty and Skincare? What inspired you to start this business?

After my first job in a high-end makeup and skin care store, I saw that makeup can really make a person feel transformed and I challenged myself to make women feel better and see themselves in a beautiful light. My love of makeup and skin care products and processes defiantly inspired me to get started in the industry.

How long did it take for you to become profitable?

Graduating with my medical aesthetic license equipped me with knowledge about new technology and techniques that were once only performed by plastic surgeons, so I was able to obtain both employment and clients right away.

when you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?

Absolutely, from time to time you have doubts because working in this field you can be judged harshly.  I even met with resistant from those who are used to doing things the old way and is not yet trained in the new technology and techniques.  Sharing ideas also opens you up to more judgment.  I handle it by finding like-minded people with common goals who share the same passion and love for the work.

How did you get your first customer?

My first customer was actually a walk in.  I was at the clinic and she came in and I did her service and after that, she came back looking for me, requested to have only me.  I am so grateful for these kinds of loyal, happy customers who will also send referrals.

What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?

I think that being consistent with social media by posting fresh new content each day has really help generate awareness and business.

What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?

I accepted a position instead of going back to school where I could have furthered my skill set.  It was a difficult choice between educational training and working in the field.

What do you think it is that makes you successful?

There are a few things which I think makes me successful.  The first is having an extreme passion for this work and this field, next is investing in education and training and then simply doing great work for my clients.

What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

A happy client who feels beautiful and confident after receiving my services is always the most satisfying moment for me. It is the main reason I do it.

What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?

I am currently launching my business, Redefyned Skincare.  The idea and the concept are something that I have been working on for a while and seeing it come together for the marketplace is very exciting.

What business books have inspired you?

There are some great business books, but I really enjoy skin care podcast.  They offer a more personal look at those who have been successful and their journeys in the industry. Trish Mcevoy is one of my favorites because her path wasn’t very easy, she got a lot of no’s and I am just so very inspired about how she made it anyways.

What is a recent purchase you have made that’s helped with your business?

I recently purchased a High Frequency Machine.  It’s used after you do extractions on a client during a facial. It is my favorite thing; it closes the pores and is just great for the skin especially for clients who suffer from horrible acne.

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