Meet Ariel Herrera-Molina: licensed esthetician, Reiki practitioner, and proud spa owner in upstate New York. Ariel, the mom and star of today’s show, gave birth to Nova Elizabeth Herrera-Molina on November 12.

Before we ask Ariel about pregnancy and equitable maternity—which is the next podcast episode, part 2—we’re talking all things holistic skincare and justice and beyond.

In this installment, we chat about DEI in the spa industry, specifically amidst the current sociopolitical climate in the US, tension in public spaces, and the Trump administration’s initiatives to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.

Ariel touches on her vast experiences in the aesthetics field as a person of color: from feeling like an outsider to workplace discrimination and finally to entrepreneurship. We discuss the lack of education and training on diverse skin types, the “facade” of the spa industry, and the economic barriers preventing BIPOC professionals from launching skincare brands.

The episode closes with reflections on legacy and Ariel’s transition into motherhood.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ARIEL

Follow along Ariel’s spa at @arielpopspimples for the entrepreneurial journey as her spa, staff, visions and baby Nova grow! ♡ You might catch a rebrand and location change comin’ up this year.😜

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