Aura & Alchemy
Mandy Holdeman:Owner & Founder
Q-Tell me about a memorable moment in your career?
A- As a new esthetician fresh out of school my first job was actually pretty amazing at the Lamar in Scottsdale. We were the official spa of the Phoenix Suns so my clients included the players and the dancers. There was also a filming studio nearby for The Bold and the Beautiful soap opera so I had those actors and actresses as clients as well! Some people I didn't even know were famous until they left and my coworkers would fill me in on whose skin I just worked on. All of that went out the window when Stevie Nicks and her brother booked facials. Her brother was already a client of mine but she made me stutter. I am a HUGE Stevie fan and have been to several concerts. In that moment of just saying hello I forgot my name and apparently the whole English language as well. It took me what felt like 10 seconds to say, "wow, I am a huge fan."
Q-What makes your business unique?
A-Aura & Alchemy is unique in the community simply because my skincare approach is first and foremost, clean beauty! I did extensive research on the brand I wanted to use and Green Envee is clean, vegan, organic and results driven. As an intuitive energy healer and reiki master my spa not only offers facials, chemical peels and microneedling, but a range of energy modalities as well. These include aura cleansing, chakra balancing and reiki. Any treatment can be intuitively customized for your specific needs which is what makes my business so unique.
Q-How has your business evolved?
A-My business has evolved so much just in the last year which I am so grateful for. My passion for skin started while living in Arizona in my 20's. I became a licensed Esthetician and worked at a beautiful spa in Scottsdale called The Lamar while also doing makeup for the Phoenix Suns dancers before games. After moving back to Ohio I felt the calling to be apart of something much bigger. I became a reiki master and that opened a lot of opportunities for me to help others. I do reiki on horse farms, I volunteer at hospice and I love to donate my time and energy to other charity causes with my healing modalities. When I heard about the room opening up at Sukha I was absolutely thrilled to jump on the opportunity to incorporate all of the work I do into one space!
Q-How do your personal values align with your business vision?
A-Personally I am very invested in each and every one of my clients. I am an empath and can read people's energy almost immediately. I am always wanting to help others that are struggling and believe that if I can make a difference in just one person's day than I have left the world better than when I found it. That is how I can connect the two.
Q-What are your go to ways of relaxing after a long day?
A-I am a nature lover at heart and love to be outside as much as I can. I am also an artist and always have some project I'm working on. You can find me on a trail, at an antique store thrifting, taking a yoga class at Sukha, planning my garden for the spring and most importantly, hanging out with my amazing teenage daughter, who still likes to hang out with me. :)
Q-How can people best support you?
A-The best way people can support me is by coming in for treatment! First time clients get my introductory price of $85. I also have gift cards available if you are ever having trouble finding the perfect gift! Also, the biggest compliment as a small business owner is having that referral, that first time client, then later on that day your phone is ringing, and it's her best friend and wants to schedule an appointment too.