Celebrating Five Years of Confidence and Community: A Reflection with Rachel Leoni
Location: 661 Columbia St Unit 103
Hours: Mon-Sun: 12 pm - 10 pm
We sat down with Rachel Leoni as her business Vita Felice celebrates five remarkable years in downtown New Westminster, she reflects on her journey in the beauty industry with warmth and gratitude.
“Even though I’m in the ‘beauty’ business, I don’t define beauty. Everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way. Sometimes, people just need a little confidence boost to feel comfortable in their own skin—and that’s when true beauty shines from within. And that’s what I do: confidence-boosting treatments.”
Proud Milestones
Rachel's journey hasn’t been without its challenges. "More than anything, I made it! I want to hug and thank every single client who has been a part of this journey. The first two years were tough—I was a newbie navigating the challenges of self-employment. But then I found this location, and it felt like home."
Despite the hurdles of COVID, inflation, and a recession, Rachel's dedication has only grown stronger. "Through it all, my incredible clients have stood by me, trusting me, and coming back time and again. My clients have been more than just customers; they've been my community, my support, and my inspiration. I can’t express enough how much they mean to me. So it's really 'WE MADE IT!'"
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Rachel envisions her business continuing to evolve in response to the changing landscape. "The cost of living remains high, and as a provider of non-essential services, the outlook isn’t fully optimistic. Yet, I stay true to myself, connecting with my clients beyond the role of a technician." She’s excited about stepping into an educator role, sharing her knowledge and passion while also exploring new avenues, such as offering support for burn survivors through skin needling.
Exciting Upcoming Projects
Rachel has exciting plans in the works. "I recently upgraded my microneedling device and it's on introductory promotion! I'm also planning to introduce hydra facial services later this year and skin tightening treatments next year. Stay tuned for more updates!"
Community Engagement
While engaging in physical events can be challenging as a solopreneur, Rachel is eager to collaborate with complementary service providers and medical professionals in the community. "I’m open to partnerships that enhance what we can offer to our clients and enrich the community experience."
Embracing New Trends
With a keen eye on industry trends, Rachel is particularly excited about hydra facial. "I can’t wait to bring it in!" she plans to implement soon, so keep your eye peeled for this new service "Fingers crossed!".
Building Customer Relationships
Rachel emphasizes that staying true to herself is vital for maintaining strong relationships with her clients. "I stay grounded, remain grateful, and never take anything for granted."
A Vision for the Business Community
In the future, Rachel hopes her business will become more visible within the downtown New West community. "It’s challenging for invisible micro businesses like mine to be acknowledged, but I aim to make changes so we feel part of the community."
Celebrating the Milestone
To celebrate her five-year milestone, Rachel plans to host weekly giveaways throughout November in collaboration with local businesses. Each week, two sponsors and Rachel’s business will give away $50 gift certificates or products. "This is my way of giving back while increasing exposure for fellow local businesses."
To enter the contest, participants can like, follow, and share/tag. Clients with appointments that week will also be entered into the draw. A new contest will be posted every Sunday, running until the end of Wednesday.
Confirmed sponsors include:
- Bosley’s
A Heartfelt Message
As Rachel reflects on her journey, her message to her clients and supporters is simple yet profound: "I'm incredibly grateful. I couldn’t have come this far without the love, support, and trust of my amazing clients."
Join Rachel in celebrating five years of beauty, confidence, and community in downtown New West!
Follow Vita Felice on Instagram and book an appointment on their website!
