Today we’d like to introduce you to Dianne Cecere.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been working in skin care for more years than I sometimes care to admit, but after all these years, I still love my work. I was trained in Toronto, in a very European style institute. I started to work full time in Boston early on. After several years, I went part time so I could help out in a family business, which was music related and was extremely innovative at the time. My father was self-employed most his life and started many small businesses. I think he taught me that money is necessary and useful but being able to make a living working for yourself, is priceless. In my 30’s and then again later on, I went back to school to complete an art degree. But, through the years, I continued to work in skin care. My husband and I moved to Littleton about 6 years ago. I continued to work in Boston but I found it wasn’t all I wanted my working life to be. I felt I needed to allow myself the time to spend on clients without feeling rushed and I didn’t want the pressure of meeting sales goals for sales sake. 2 years ago, I opened Birch Tree Esthetics in the West Acton Village Works Wellness Center. With my many years of skin care experience and my artistic abilities, I think I have created a place where my clients feel relaxed and well cared for. I addressed my concerns about how I wanted to work. So, now I can take my time working on my clients. I stock and sell great, organic products, but I never make a client feel pressured to buy them.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s just a fact, we can worry about a lot of things that never come to fruition. Like many people, I have experienced fear and anxiety. Sure, it was about the business but not solely. It was the things a lot of people worry about, but sometimes feel alone with. About a year into opening Birch Tree Esthetics, I decided I needed to retrain my thinking to help me through some of these anxieties. I try to meditate a little each day and I do a lot of yoga. I think for me, these things are helpful for my personal life and the life of my business.
I have the most wonderful business neighbors. A lot of the businesses in the Village Works are owned by women. We support each other in all kinds of ways. I’ve made some great friendships as a result of this business. Also, I have the support of my life long, dear friends, and my husband and pal, Dave.
We can do the best we can to make things go smoothly, but some of it’s out of our hands. You can’t take yourself too seriously, or you miss the fun and the joy that life can be while you are rewinding that thought of how you might have messed up or done things differently.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Birch Tree is a one room, skin care studio. I really like details; the music, the lighting, colors, the decor, so it’s peaceful and serene.
I offer several types of facials and I like to tailor them to one’s needs, so even if we decide on a particular facial, I may tweak it with something else. I also offer waxing, lash tinting, and lash lift.
Some clients need the absolute quiet that a facial service can offer, and others want to talk. Knowing what someone wants in my setting is so important and I am very in tune with that. It’s all about each individual person and what they want. I have a lot of experience. I am confident in the facials I give. I like to clean skin. I am very thorough and I love to give the massage I incorporate in my facials. I think all of these things sets me apart. And, I want my clients to feel like they “slipped away” for the time they are at Birch Tree.
Another extremely important factor in my business is my dedication to the humane treatment of animals. No animal testing allowed! I’m concerned about our environment. I’m happy to say that our building and the entire West Acton Village Works are solar powered!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I am not in the city, but in a suburb west of it. If you are asking if I think Boston is a good place for a business like mine, then I would say yes. Boston is a great city and growing all the time, as is the demand for good skin care.
Contact Info:
- Address: Wellness Center / West Acton Village Works
Birch Tree Esthetics
525 Massachusetts Ave Studio 7
West Acton, MA 01720 - Website: birchtreeskincare.com
- Phone: 617.312.6122
- Email: info@birchtreeskincare.com
- Instagram: birchtreeskincare
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/birchtreeesthetics/
Image Credit:
Elizabeth LaDuca (image of West Acton Village Works street view)
Dave Leitch (all others)
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