Lisa Gourley
Lisa Gourley is a licensed aesthetician and medical assistant with over two decades of experience in skincare and medical aesthetics. She currently serves as Lead Aesthetician at Face to Face Med Spa in Rocky River, Ohio, where she specializes in advanced facial treatments, including chemical peels, DiamondGlow, dermaplaning, and Hydrafacial services. Lisa is passionate about combining technical expertise with compassionate care, ensuring each client receives personalized attention and exceptional results.
Her career began in retail cosmetics and cosmetology, eventually leading to a licensed esthetician credential in 2004 after training at Manhattan Hairstyling Academy. Over the years, Lisa has managed a variety of beauty and skincare ventures, including running her own makeup business and operating a medical spa for eight years. She has also held leadership roles such as general manager at Bare Essentials, where she honed her skills in client relations, staff management, and business operations.
Lisa complements her esthetician training with medical knowledge as a certified Medical Assistant from Valley College, enabling her to provide comprehensive, clinical skincare services. Beyond her professional practice, she mentors and trains new estheticians as her medical spa expands to additional locations. Committed to long-term client relationships and community involvement, Lisa has participated in local women’s groups, Chamber of Commerce initiatives, and nonprofit work supporting children with cancer.
• Certified Medical Assistant
• Licensed Aesthetician
• Chamber of Commerce
• Special Faces
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, persistence, and the guidance I received from mentors early in my career. Building and running a business as a single mother has been a defining part of my professional journey, and cultivating strong, lasting relationships with my clients has been central to achieving meaningful impact.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering this industry is to be prepared for a role that is both challenging and rewarding. Being an esthetician involves much more than applying products—it requires clinical skill, sales acumen, and the ability to care for someone else’s health and well-being. Your hands are your most important tools, so it’s essential to protect and value them. Equally important is building trust and calming clients who may feel nervous; people can sense if you’re not confident, so bringing calm and assurance to every interaction is key. Above all, put your heart into every service and invest in providing knowledgeable, meaningful care rather than quick fixes.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now has been navigating pandemic-related business disruptions, along with licensing limitations that restrict opening certain medical services without RN or NP credentials. At the same time, there are exciting opportunities in the growth of medical aesthetics, which allows us to build stronger client trust and create meaningful roles for training and mentorship as practices expand.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are care, dedication, and trust. Staying curious and committed to continuous learning has been central to my growth, especially as a single mother running my own business. I take great pride in building lasting relationships with my clients and maintaining a family-first approach in everything I do.
Locations
Face to Face Spa
Rocky River, OH 44116