Today we’d like to introduce you to Susie Villarreal.
Susie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Susie’s journey from a licensed esthetician to an esteemed esthetics instructor in South Carolina is truly inspiring. Despite facing life’s twists and turns, Susie never gave up on her dream of opening a spa in Springfield, Georgia. Became a licensed Aesthetician in 2016, not knowing what was to come. At the age of 50 thru 53, I started a new career, divorced, covid happened and then diagnosed with Ameloblastoma of the lower jaw. It is a slow growing tumor that originates in the tooth enamel. I was informed by my medical team that I would lose my lower jaw, but would not require chemotherapy or radiation. That meant I get to keep my own skin. We hit the ground running with my surgery. My lower jaw was completely removed and replaced with my fibula and titainium. It was a process of three major surguriesf (total of 40 hours in the OR), ICU stays, tons of dental visits and after 4 years), I AM COMPLETE! While recovering between each of the three surgeries, due to the covid epidemic, I took a hiatus from the industry and went back to an office job. I managed a large real estate office. While working in real estate, I ran into old friends who were looking to open a Medical Spa. Daniel Merritt and Matthew Lipman invested in my vision and now here I am today. A partner in La Vida on Lauerl Med Spa.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It wasn’t very easy from 2021 to 2024. The struggles were medical set back, infection and surgeries to correct alignment of my new jaw. Getting accustomed to looking at the new face is still tough, even today. I can’t put clothes on to cover the scars. I had my old face for 53 years and learning to look at the new one and know that it is me has been tough. It is just a physical issue, yes, I am alive, but a did grieve the loss of the old me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
La Vida on Laurel is Springfield’s first medspa, providing a serene haven for relaxation and wellness. Our tailored treatments and inviting atmosphere invite you to the fully embrace ” Life on Laurel “. As a woman owned and veteran owned establishment, we take pride in offering exceptional service and a warm, inclusive environment for all.
We offer neurotoxin injections, fillers, PRP derma filler, microneedling and all of the typical spa features outside of medical treatments. Our spa atmoshere focus’s on relaxation first and formost, then we work our magic as we get to know you and your needs. Treatments are affordable, we don’t have big city cost’s to charge big city prices and that is a benefit to our clients. We offer ZO skinhealth and Eminence Organics skin care lines as well as adding Oncology skin treatments in January of 2026!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I was able to laugh my way through my struggles, I got up everyday thankful that I had my health. My only option was to move forward..I don’t see laying around and feeling sorry for myself as benefical, I see it as a weakness, I refuse to be weak because other’s depend on my strenght.
Pricing:
- Custom Facials start at $100
- Microneedling $300
- Massages start at $90
- C02 Laser starts at $435
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lavidaonlaurel.com
