La Quinta High School Grad and Entrepreneur at Age 23 Opens S.E. Skin

Right from the womb as a one-pound preemie born three months early, Sofia Fernandez has been a fighter – making things happen in her young life that demonstrate her go-getter attitude and perseverance.

An entrepreneur at age 23, this La Quinta High School grad recently opened a day spa in La Quinta called S.E. Skin, which offers a wide variety of services from facials and eyelash extensions to brow tinting, waxing and spray tans.

As a teen who struggled with acne, Fernandez sought professional help from an esthetician and that experience inspired her to determine that’s what she wanted to do one day. “As I worked to clear my own skin, I started to feed the idea of providing my knowledge to benefit others. From this, I decided that I wanted to become an esthetician and create a calm, welcoming environment for anyone to enjoy,” she explained.

Fernandez was trained at the Coachella Valley-based International School of Beauty and became a licensed esthetician after high school. She briefly worked for another local day spa before really going for her dream of creating her own business.

“My journey to building my business has been a calm wave of blessings in chaos,” said Fernandez. “My parents encouraged me to go out on my own, and my uncle introduced me commercial real estate agent, Matt Rifkin – who was instrumental in finding me the perfect space in La Quinta for me to start my business.”

While the space was double the size Fernandez was looking for, Rifkin introduced her to the owners of the building S.E. Skin is located in – a commercial complex on Dune Palms Road which backs up to the wash. “J. and Sheri Paul, the building’s owners, had faith in my vision and really worked with me so that the space was attainable for a young entrepreneur like myself and that meant the world to me,” added Fernandez.

Her passion as an esthetician comes from being able to spark confidence in each client, providing them with the tools necessary to feel their best day in and day out. Fernandez is also already expanding.

She employs another esthetician, with an additional esthetician starting this month. S.E. Skin’s menu of skincare includes a signature facial, teen facial, mini facial along with 60-minute fully-customized facial treatments at competitive prices. “I even include a light peel and/or dermaplaning with the S.E. Signature Facial,” said Fernandez.

As a new business in La Quinta, Fernandez has extended a 25% discount off the S.E. Signature Facial for new customers during the month of February when they mention they saw the discount in The Gem.

To learn more or book a treatment, go to Vagaro.com/seskin or call (442) 400-3424. The day spa is located at 79440 Corporate Centre Drive in La Quinta, and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.