International Women's Day: 4 Beauty Leaders Reveal Their Journeys to Success
We’re celebrating International Women’s History Month all March long, honoring the incredible contributions women have made to history, culture, and society.
International Women’s Day on March 8 is the perfect opportunity to spotlight the trailblazing women in the beauty industry who have built successful businesses while overcoming challenges along the way. This year’s theme, “Moving Forward Together,” highlights women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership—shaping the minds and futures of generations to come.
From Repêchage’s vice president, Shiri Sarfati, who grew up learning the ins and outs of entrepreneurship from her mother, founder Lydia Sarfati, to Lois Christie, owner of Christie & Co. Salon & Spa, who turned a $1,500 loan into a beauty empire, meet four celebrated women shaping our industry below.
Meet the Visionaries
Shiri Sarfati
Executive Vice President, Repêchage
What inspired you to dive into the spa industry? I was born into the spa industry—my mother founded her company when I was a baby. From a young age, I was fully immersed, attending trade shows on Sundays and spending my days off working alongside her, from stamping envelopes to working the front desk at our Manhattan spa. I always wanted to be around the business and help my mother in any way I could. Later, I traveled the world with her, visiting international distributors and clients—27 countries by the time I was 25. It gave me a deep appreciation for the global impact of her work and invaluable lessons in international business.
What's the most powerful piece of advice you've received from another woman that shaped your business approach? My mother always said, “Prior proper planning prevents poor performance.” She was a young mother and an entrepreneur, and she always said the only reason she was able to “juggle it all” was that she had to be as highly organized in her personal life as she was in her business. It’s the only way to achieve work-life balance. As a mother of two boys, you really have to write everything down and create a schedule so everything keeps moving at home and in the office.
How do you balance nurturing your business with nurturing yourself? Any self-care non-negotiables you swear by? My daily skincare routine. As long as I can remember, I always had a routine—even as a child, my mother taught me how to cleanse properly, gently exfoliate, hydrate, and protect. When it’s routine, you never stop to think about it. It doesn’t feel like a chore, and there is not a moment that you will be too exhausted not to do it. This is something I love sharing with my clients—creating easy routines that work for them and sticking to them.
If you could time-travel and give your younger self one piece of wisdom, what would it be? Don’t stress out as much about the future. In my 20s I worried about everything—about whether I would meet my husband, would I have a family, would I be successful. I wish I could tell myself to enjoy the moment more and be more present.
How do you create a space that empowers your clients and your team of women? In any team, you have to make sure you are clear about your expectations. Celebrate successes and also push your team to do better each and every day. We work in a fast-paced environment, and it's still very much entrepreneurial, so we all are leaning on each other to move projects forward. But we also have each other's backs if we need to.
It goes both ways—my team supports me, and I do the same for them. The same applies to my clients. Whether they need me at an event, to help promote a new treatment, or for guidance on social media and email marketing, I go above and beyond to teach, share, and support them. We’re more than product manufacturers—we help our clients thrive through advanced education. With a degree in Cosmetic and Fragrance Marketing and experience as an adjunct professor, I’m always happy to share that expertise with my spa clients.
What's your vision for the future of women in the beauty and wellness industry, and how are you helping to shape it? Women have always shaped this industry, but now they have a voice. They are in the C-suite and on the boards. They are leading the way, and it's exciting. It wasn’t always that way. I saw how my mom fought hard to get there, and I don’t take it for granted.
Kristen Pechacek
President & CEO of MassageLuXe
Kristen Pechacek drives MassageLuXe's expansion as President and CEO, pushing the spa franchise beyond 100 locations this year. Named among Entrepreneur magazine's top 50 Game-Changing CMOs in 2023, among other accolades, her path winds from NFL marketing with the Minnesota Vikings to overseeing 5,000-plus locations at Self Esteem Brands before stepping into the wellness industry's spotlight.
What's the most powerful piece of advice you've received from another woman that shaped your business approach? You don’t have to have all the answers. Fall forward, face it until you make it, and keep striving to make a difference. I used to say, “Fake it until you make it,” but there is no faking here. We were meant to be doing what we are doing. “Face it until you make it” is a way better approach! Growth comes from taking bold steps and learning along the way.
How has partnering with female-founded brands like Repêchage influenced your business vision? Repêchage has been an incredible partner, and Lydia is an inspiration to everyone she meets. Working with female-founded brands reinforces the power of collaboration—when we uplift each other, we create lasting impact and achieve greater success together.
How do you create a space that empowers not just your clients but also your team of women? By being authentically myself. Creating psychological safety within my team means breaking down walls, embracing individuality, and encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones. That’s where real growth happens.
What's your vision for the future of women in the beauty and wellness industry, and how are you helping to shape it? My vision is for women—and everyone—to push past fear and just go for it. I serve on a board that helps high school students plan their careers early, encouraging them to take that next step with confidence instead of hesitation. Too often, people talk themselves out of opportunities before they even begin, and I want to change that.
Lois Christie
President Christie & Co., Salon & Spa
Lois Christie transformed a $1,500 loan into Christie Salon, a beauty empire now employing over 70 beauty professionals and recognized as “Best of the Boro” for more than a decade running. As the first female president of prestigious Intercoiffure America Canada, she revolutionized industry standards while collecting accolades from Mayor Mike Bloomberg and humanitarian awards for her Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Her remarkable journey from ambitious dreamer to celebrated business leader continues to inspire women entrepreneurs across New York and beyond.
What is a challenge you faced as a woman in business that unexpectedly became your superpower? Because I was one of the first women to build a very large successful salon, I became a legend in the beauty industry. I have been acknowledged by the “power women of New York” for many years, which led to me being an influence and inspiration for young women.
How has partnering with female-founded brands like Repêchage influenced your business vision? Lydia Sarfati and I became friends many years ago when I was the first female president of Intercoiffure America Canada, the most prestigious salon organization worldwide. At the time, Lydia was President of CIDESCO Section USA, the gold standard in skincare. Together, we helped transform the salon and spa industry, introducing new ideas to salons and spas everywhere. To this day, Repêchage—along with Lydia, Shiri, and their team—continues to support our salon not only with exceptional products but also through ongoing education, ensuring my team stays knowledgeable in both business and industry trends.
What is your vision for the future of women in the beauty and wellness industry, and how are you helping to shape it? The beauty and wellness industry is growing and changing so fast now, with more women stepping into leadership roles and breaking boundaries. Change is good; it unlocks the door to growth and excitement. Be dedicated and show up even if you don’t want to. Remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining who we are. I am still learning to change and lead by example.
Alice Wang
President, La Queen Aesthetics
Alice Wang brings over 20 years of beauty industry expertise to her practice, where she transforms clients through the pursuit of healthy, radiant skin. Her skincare journey began at 16—a passion that eventually led her to open her own spa eight years ago. Specializing in personalized care, she assesses each client's unique concerns, crafting customized solutions, and continues to educate, empower, and transform skin one client at a time.
What inspired you to dive into the spa/salon industry, and how has owning a business that helps others feel beautiful changed your definition of beauty? I started learning beauty at 16 and became an esthetician, and from the beginning, I knew this was more than just a career—it was a calling. Owning my spa for the past eight years has deepened my understanding of beauty. I now see beauty as confidence, health, and self-care rather than just appearance. It’s about feeling comfortable in your skin.
How do you create a space that empowers not just your clients but also your team of women? I believe in creating an environment of learning and growth. I encourage my team to develop their skills and remind them that their work has the power to change lives. When they feel empowered, they pass that confidence on to our clients.
What’s one beauty “rule” you love to break, both in your business and personal life? One rule I challenge is that beauty has to be complicated. I believe in simplicity—sometimes, the best skincare routine is not about using many products but using the right ones consistently.
How has partnering with female-founded brands like Repêchage influenced your business vision? Repêchage is a company that I deeply admire and continuously learn from, both in terms of professional skincare expertise and business leadership. Their commitment to innovation and excellence inspires me, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with them. Working with Repêchage has not only enhanced my knowledge but also strengthened my vision for delivering the best to my clients.
What’s a challenge you faced as a woman in business that unexpectedly became your superpower? The beauty industry is competitive. As a woman, I’ve had to prove myself, but my dedication and deep understanding of skincare have become my biggest strengths. Clients trust me because they see my passion and expertise.
