An East Bay esthetician is helping struggling cosmetologists get back on their feet after a year of salon closures.
Lilana Aranda works as an esthetician in Alameda and recently opened an office in Napa. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she thought: "How will my business survive?" At first, she started selling do-it-yourself facial boxes for her clients at home.
"That was successful for a bit, but the feedback I got was they still want the professional touch. It’s not the same doing it at home," Aranda said.
She decided to take the idea a step further and create, what she calls COVID Calm Boxes. In addition to facial creams, she said the box includes ingredients to put people at ease during these stressful times.
"I looked at my inventory and found that I had the makings of a little spa retreat that could fit into a 6x9 box," she said. "I have a hair towel that is spa quality. I have a sleep mask that has molded eye cups."
Instead of helping herself, Aranda is generously donating funds earned from the "COVID Calm Boxes" to help hairstylists, nail technicians and other cosmetologists keep their businesses afloat.
"The act of giving and the act of supporting somebody else even while you’re struggling was so therapeutic," she said. "It almost became a daily high. By the hour, I was so excited see more donations coming in and more people being helped."
Aranda has raised over $7,300 for nearly 125 beauty professionals across the country.
If you know someone who is working to keep us safe during the coronavirus pandemic and would like to nominate them as a KCBS Radio Difference Maker, email us at differencemakers@kcbsradio.com.
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