Michele Henry, Founder of FACE FOUNDRIÉ, Wants Her Clients to 'Feel Amazing in Their Own Skin': 'My Mission Is to Help People'

After having her third child in 2017, Michele Henry struggled with hormonal acne and searched for an "approachable and efficient facial or medspa but found nothing" to fit her needs.

"After running a large women’s clothing chain for eight years, I decided to take the leap into skincare. I launched FACE FOUNDRIÉ on March 1, 2019, in a 1,200 sq ft space in the Galleria. Within the first month, we were fully booked and quickly began planning for a second location. By the time we hit 90 days, we had our second site secured and were on our way. I documented all our processes early on because I knew this concept would be ideal for franchising. We were set to launch our franchise program on March 1, 2020, but, as the pandemic hit, the world had other plans," the founder and CEO of FACE FOUNDRIÉ, an all-inclusive focused facial bar, exclusively tells Morning Honey.

Now, FACE FOUNDRIÉ is the fastest-growing woman-owned facial bar in the world, especially since their price point, level of service, estheticians' education and knowledge are on another level compared to other businesses.

"The last six years have been a whirlwind, filled with so many emotions. It’s been incredibly rewarding to welcome talented franchisees and staff who align with our mission and values. Reflecting on how far we’ve come and the challenges we've overcome reminds me that it’s our loyal clients who have made this brand what it is today. Their support during COVID, their excitement with new launches, and their consistent memberships have kept us motivated to keep innovating and providing unparalleled service," she gushes.

"I’ve always loved beauty. It started at a young age when my grandma, who was the most stylish woman I knew, let us play dress-up and host runway shows for her. From there, I began mixing colors in my journal to create different shades of lipstick, which led me to pursue an apparel design and art degree. My love for beauty has always been present in various forms," she shares.

Henry is looking forward to seeing her empire expand.

"Besides working with amazing team members and passionate franchisees, my favorite part of the job is the expansion and innovation we’re tapping into as we look to the future. This includes opening new locations, introducing new products and services, and integrating new technology to enhance the client experience. The most challenging part is ensuring we maintain our quality of service as we grow, but it’s a challenge I’m excited to tackle," she says.

For others looking to start their own business, she encourages them to ask themselves, "How bad do you want it?"

"Are you willing to lose sleep, sacrifice time with friends, take a pay cut to invest in your business, change your lifestyle, or work multiple jobs? If your answer is no to any of these, I’d reconsider. Starting a business requires obsession and undeniable passion," she continues.

Ultimately, Henry hopes her brand resonates with others.

"Every business I’ve started or been a part of has one simple mission: to help people. Whether it’s through fashion, skincare, or aesthetics education, I want to continue being part of businesses that help people feel more confident and empowered," she says.

The company also hit their highest sales in Q1, which is "a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication of the entire team. It feels amazing to see the business grow and to know we’re making a real impact," she states. "My hope is that we are changing the beauty world by making sure clients know our space is 100% inclusive and we will meet them wherever they are on their skincare journey. I understand how spas can be intimidating, I have felt it in my past and that was a huge part of laying out our store and strategy for hiring was make sure every aspect and element feels approachable in every way. I love what I do, I love the brands we are building and that excitement and mission to build our clients confidence through affordable accessible skincare keeps me motivated daily!"

She adds, "I truly believe in 5-10 years FACE FOUNDRIÉ will be in countries around the world making our clients feel amazing in their own skin."