Today we’d like to introduce you to Callie Simmons.
Hi Callie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my journey in the beauty industry doing bridal makeup and lash extensions in Boise, Idaho, and quickly fell in love with helping people feel beautiful and confident.
My path into skincare became much more personal when I began struggling with my own skin. After visiting dermatologists and multiple estheticians without finding the answers I was looking for, I realized how deeply our skin can affect our confidence. At the same time, I was seeing many of my own clients turn to makeup to cover and hide their skin rather than feeling comfortable and confident in it.
That experience inspired me to continue my education and become a Master Esthetician. I wanted to help people truly understand and transform their skin—not just cover it up.
From that passion, The Skin Esteem was born. I began specializing in corrective skincare while continuing to advance my education and eventually found another passion: educating other professionals and helping them master their craft.
My career has taken me through multiple states, including Idaho, Nevada, and now Oregon. Working with a wide variety of skin types, concerns, and diverse clientele has helped shape the esthetician and educator I am today.
When I moved to Medford, Oregon, my business began growing rapidly. I also recognized a need for more education, collaboration, and opportunity within the beauty and wellness industry here in Southern Oregon. Over the past four years, what started as The Skin Esteem has grown into Esteem Wellness & Spa, now home to 15 incredible women who are each mastering their own craft within the beauty and wellness world.
What began as a desire to help people love the skin they’re in has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined. It has been an honor to educate other professionals, create opportunities for women in our industry, and be a positive role model within our community. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built and excited to continue growing, learning, and helping others feel confident in themselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think that’s what makes the journey so meaningful.
Building a clientele as an outsider in a small town was challenging on its own, but I was also learning how to own and operate a business while being a mother and foster mom. In the five years I’ve lived in Southern Oregon, I’ve welcomed 10 foster children into my home and ultimately adopted two of them—all while building my business from the ground up.
I would love to say I had a magic financier or a huge support system funding the dream, but the truth is much less glamorous. I had incredible clients who believed in me, a community that supported me, and a willingness to figure things out as I went. There were days I was remodeling the spa with my own hands while wearing a newborn foster baby strapped to my chest, and then turning around and seeing clients.
The last few years have taught me just how important community is. My clients, coworkers, friends, and the people who continued to show up for me through every high and low have played such a huge part in where I am today.
I hope my story shows other women—especially mothers—that your dreams don’t have to disappear when life gets complicated. Sometimes you build them between diaper changes, school drop-offs, foster care appointments, and running a small business. It may not be the easiest road, but you can still create something you’re incredibly proud of.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
One of my proudest accomplishments has been bringing the first Korean Head Spa experience to Southern Oregon. It has grown tremendously, allowing us to employ five incredible women and now offer group experiences for up to four guests, combining scalp treatments, facials, and massage.
That growth has also allowed Esteem Wellness & Spa to become a home for eight independent beauty and wellness professionals to build and run their own businesses in a supportive, safe environment.
What sets Esteem apart is that we’re about more than beauty—we’re about confidence, community, wellness, and creating opportunities for women. When you support Esteem, you’re supporting local women, mothers, and entrepreneurs right here in Southern Oregon.
What were you like growing up?
People are often surprised to learn that, despite my bold personality today, I grew up extremely shy. I found my confidence through performing and immersed myself in musicals, pageants, and singing. I eventually performed with the Boise State choir, sang at Boise State games, and competed in the Colgate Country Showdown.
Looking back, those experiences really helped bring me out of my shell and taught me how to be comfortable putting myself out there—something that has played a huge role in becoming the business owner and educator I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Esteemwellnessmedford.com
- Instagram: @theskinesteem
