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raspberries in her yard and , after washing them , put them on her mother ’ s face . One of the first products Florian made was a raspberry extract . She noticed that helping heal other people “ was really a thrill for me .” After working as a model , she transitioned into a career in skin care with guru Aida Grey in Beverly Hills . After 10 years , Florian needed a break , so she quit . But that was just the start of her exciting journey .
If you can believe it , Kerstin Florian International started with a random phone call from a former client . Florian was living in Laguna Beach with her husband and young daughter , and they had a spare room available . When Florian spoke with this woman , she badly needed a facial , and Florian — unemployed and with nothing better to do that afternoon — invited her to her home to get one in the spare room . That former client told one of her friends about her great experience , and that friend told a few more people . Soon enough , Florian had so many clients coming to her house that her husband said ,“ I can ’ t stand this anymore . You have to find a place to do your work .” Florian was making her own products and keeping them in the fridge . Her husband didn ’ t know whether to eat them or put them on his face .
Florian found an architect , obtained a permit from the city and soon she had her office . In 1978 , she founded Kerstin Florian International . She worked her way up to 26 employees and kept building her business from there .
Florian , despite all of the accolades , still thinks about some of the people who would come to her house week after week for treatments . She takes pride in helping anyone and everyone with their skin care routines and teaching people how to care for themselves . She believes outer beauty is a reflection of inner health .
“ We always talk about how we have to give , give , give ,” Florian says ,“ but we need to give to ourselves first . And once you have , you are willing to share it with others . And it ’ s no effort . It ’ s just love , pure love .” n
30 PULSE ■ JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021