Angela Thornton is the proud owner and creator of Artisan Skin Care in Orleans, MA. She is a licensed holistic aesthetician of eighteen years, she has been offering holistic skin care services for seven years now. She does not follow trends, and is against fear-based and image defamation beauty advertising. She wants to FREE you from relying on harmful chemicals and allow you to simplify your skin care routine and go with what nature intended. In Angies eyes, your long-term skin health is her priority so she keeps her prices accessible to make consistent care possible. "I believe that regular holistic facials are not a luxury, they’re a necessity (but a luxurious one, nonetheless!). I pay extreme attention to every detail that goes into my services and formulas; I use only high quality ingredients and products, I set the bar when it comes to hygiene, and I personalize every aspect of your experience.
"Our brand message is simple: if you want to be beautiful, then you must be kind to yourself. My holistic facials and products teach you how to do this. Be Organic. Be Natural. Be You.
Someone asked me once “Angie why is a facial so important?” I responded with “Because people will tend to forget your name, before they forget your face.”"

You responded to our CC entrepreneur call, can you tell me a little bit about your big picture for yourself and your entrepreneurial endeavors? 

"To be honest I’ve always been a big dreamer, goal setter and ALWAYS a driven person. So I see taking myself and my companies extremely big and my cause even bigger."

How did you develop the knowledge to get you to where you currently are? Education, training, etc. 

"18 years ago I graduated from cosmetology school and apprenticed for almost 2 years afterwards while working other jobs. At the time I didn’t realize how smart I was for taking the time to apprentice after graduation, to my surprise many of my fellow students didn’t do this? None of them lasted in the industry. Cosmetology school got me the education for my state license, but the grueling apprenticeship is how I developed my passion for my trade. It is very hard for a young person to have patience, but this is part of being a very successful person."

What motivated you to want to become a business owner?

"Same reason every entrepreneur goes into business for, a better life and more financial opportunities. Also for me personally, the desire to change the world is way too inspiring for me to pass on the chance. I really had no choice in the matter either, my personality has a hard time conforming. I am best described as a recklessly responsible person. Perfect formula for an entrepreneur. I am free to be as creative as I want and that makes me a very lucky individual. Speaking of luck… Lucky people make their own luck."


What do you think people should be the most aware about when it comes to skin care?

"Know what your ingredients are and do! The 4th question I ask before a facial is what are you using before bed and when you wake up in the morning? Nine out of 10 times the answer is always “ I don’t know?” It’s time you start knowing what type of beauty business you are supporting. It’s time to be aware of synthetic chemicals that are polluting your body and your planet. It’s time to take responsibility for the welfare of animals that are used in deplorable testing. It’s time to be aware of what is going down your drain into your water table, which feeds the plants, that feeds the animals and the humans. It’s time to get back to nature, and our own natural beauty." 

What do you see as your biggest challenge?

"Greatest challenge is KEEPING my positive attitude! Every day YOU wake up with a choice...Am I going to have a good day? Or a bad day? The everyday challenges are just like any other entrepreneur having a set bedtime, eating dinner before 11 o’clock at night, finding good help etc. But to be honest I actually don’t mind the struggles and challenges. There’s nothing wrong with being tested… it will only make you that much more stronger! The butterfly needs to struggle out of the cocoon, so that it can become a beautiful butterfly and soar.  I always say, If you can learn to climb your own walls, then you can conquer the rest of them. More importantly, and those walls can be as tall or as small as you want them to be. Stay positive."

What do you see as your biggest success?

"Greatest successes is HAVING my positive attitude! I want to say this is the overall one continuous sense of satisfied success I have. I learned a long time ago that the pursuit of happiness is a very sad life. And so many people live this way… especially entrepreneurs. Because after all this is why people enjoy our inspiring stories. For me my happiness can be misplaced, but just like my car keys I always will find it again.  As an entrepreneur, it’s hard to pinpoint your greatest success, because what makes a successful entrepreneur is that they are never truly satisfied. I guess on the surface my greatest success is knowing that with each and every Artisan Skin Care facial I provide and every Artisan Organics formula that I produce. I know that I am giving 120% of myself and talent to my clients. My goal every day is to make my 5pm client feel just as special as my 9am client. I am proud of this. Deeper under the surface successes...I’ve conquered so many fears, and are open to conquering more if they should come. I feel too for the first time in my life, that I can now love and be loved. And that’s such a great feeling to have, and I wish for everyone to have it too someday. Be positive."

What sets you apart from other skin care companies?

"I am a whole-hearted, holistic, skin care experience based on your individual needs. I am passionate about providing professional skin care treatments using real ingredients from nature to encourage your natural beauty. I’m a licensed holistic aesthetician of eighteen years, I have been offering holistic skin care services for seven of those years now. I don’t follow trends, I’m against fear-based and image defamation beauty advertising. I want to FREE you from relying on harmful chemicals and allow you to simplify your skin care routine and go with what nature intended.

Artisan Skin Care and Artisan Organic’s clients are people that are free-spirited, independently fabulous, and are not going to accept the fake beauty industry or their fake chemical damaging products! But instead would rather love themselves naturally. Her clients have one thing in common, they are people who simply CARE. They care and value themselves enough to enjoy only holistic skin care treatments and healthy products. They care about their skin, their health, and their environment. They are true natural beauties. They are looking for natural alternatives to the toxic, animal-tested, environmentally-polluting products that exist in the commercial beauty world. When people are confronted with the image of beauty, we believe they need encouragement NOT intimidation, positivity not negativity." 

What is one piece of advice that you can offer future entrepreneurs in their future endeavors?
 
"Well, once you become an entrepreneur you will ruin yourself for any type of employment afterwards. No one will be able to have authority over you again, unless you are paying them to do so. So really look deep within yourself, before you make this life-changing decision. And once you do decide to cross over to the other side of the tracks. You will learn very quickly that Joneses grass is greener, because they water it! So hard diligent work is a must. Also don’t be afraid of failure! Failure is a bruise not a tattoo. Welcome the challenges and struggles, whether they be your own or within your business. They are a good exercise for your patience, courage, stamina and faith. Funny thing is.. any real true entrepreneur loves the devastating lows and the dizzying highs to their businesses and lives. It’s the “strange curse” that all successful entrepreneurs love to hate and hate to love. Do I have challenges and struggles? Yes I do...but the differences is I just don’t quit."

Any signing off comments you have for us today?☺

"Something that I have learned over the years… Is practice what you preach. Part of being a good person, is being good to myself. I love being healthy both physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I spend as much possible free time exercising, eating healthy, being sociable with friends and family (this includes my two dogs) and my loving, sexy, talented, devoted husband. I love nature, hiking, cycling, shark cage diving, concerts, biplane riding, motorcycle riding, dancing etc. As much as I love to work I also love to have FUN, because what does it all mean at the end of the day? I am currently training for my pilot’s license, a self-defense training course, reading Leaving Home by Garrison Keillor and waiting for Guns n’ Roses to come back to the states for their USA Tour. What I find to being a successful person in general is this bit of advice: “Give the best part of your day to yourself, and give everyone else the rest.”"

Stay tuned! 
Artisan Skin Care is coming out with a newsletter, keep checking back on their site for more information!

As always, xoxo
Alayna Anderson
Editorial Contributor and Marketing Specialist. 

Hey there Chiquitas!
​
​We hope you enjoyed your fourth of July week, and we hope you are enjoying the summer sun as well! This week we are looking into some of the most prime spots on the Cape and in Western MA to grab a drink and relax, while enjoying the beauty that this weather has to offer.
According to Time Magazine, a drink a day may just help you live longer- so enjoying an ice cold bev in the sun couldn't hurt either ;)

If you're one of our Chiks that galivants more so on the West side of Mass, here are some of our favorite places to check in to! 

• Tavern on the Hill

They are located right on Route 141 at the Easthampton Holyoke town line. We love the cozy feeling this beautiful eclectic vibes this restaurant and bar gives off. Their indoor seating takes reservations for parties of any size and of course, they offer a spectacular fireplace and outdoor is first come first serve. So make sure you show up early, because any seat is a great one!

• The Northampton Brewery

You won't want to miss out your chance on getting in on their rooftop beer garden and sunroom, the Northampton Brewery has all you beer fanatics could ask for, and more! Located right at 11 Brewster Ct, in Noho. They'll be there all night (literally, they're open til 1 AM!!)

• Center Square Grill 

Take a trip over to East Longmeadow and enjoy all this traditional american grill has to offer, where they offer a small city feel with a big city taste. They're outdoor dining patio is to die for, you'll feel right at home with the abundance of options they have to offer you, from classically prepared French Sauces, Latin inspired fish dishes, to their Salted Caramel Martini or their signature CSG Barrel-Aged Manhattan!

We can't forget about our East side ladies of Mass, we love a good day out on the beach-laying in the sun and sand followed by a nice cold cocktail at night. Wouldn't you agree? 

• The Nauti Bar at The Port Restaurant 

Happy hour happens EVERY DAY from 3-5:30 pm with $1 Oysters... what's better than that? I'll tell ya, their wine list! Reds, whites, sparkling, they've got you covered so park yourself at the Port for a night you'll never forget. Located at  541 Route 28 in Harwich Port. 

• Ember

Coal fired pizza is the perfect pair to match with a nice chilled glass of Pinot Grigio. Ember is also the sister restaurant of The Port! So go see for yourself at 600 Route 28, also in Harwich Port! Their outdoor fires will leave you feeling as toasty as their cocktail list will!

• Brax Landing

This seafood hotspot definitely needs to be one of the top places to pop into on your next day off! Brax Landing located at 705-MA 28 in Harwich Port, overlooking Saquatucket Harbor will take your breath away, it is a beautiful spot for you to enjoy a cool ocean breeze, while sipping on a Perfect Catch (at a perfect catch itself☺) a harborside frozen favorite!

Checked it out for yourself already? 
Or planning on making a few new stops along the way? Let us know! 
You might just see us there!

Chat with you next time, Chiks!
xoxo♥
Alayna Anderson
Editorial Contributor and Marketing Specialist