Meet Prisilla Griffin
an interview as told to Michelle Bryant
Prisilla Griffin, born in Sulphur, Louisiana, the oldest of three children to an Air Force Military family, is the owner of Red Carpet Day Spa located in Berkeley County, South Carolina. She has been in business since August 2013.
Prisilla got into Esthetics in 2007 as a means of releasing herself from feeling trapped in a toxic relationship. A young mother of three boys, she knew she needed to get rid of that association. A child of a violent and domineering father, Prisilla often witnessed his abuse to her mother and stayed home after graduating from high school in 1992 to protect her. It was despite her own abuse that Prisilla pampered herself as a means of self-healing, to boost her self-worth and self-esteem. Enjoying the pleasures, motivation and encouragement of pampering herself, she enrolled in Miller Mott’s nine-month esthetic program. She got an apartment with her three boys and worked two jobs while attending school. Though exhausting, she knew that school and training were her answer to prayer as she felt there were many women who would want to be pampered. In 2008 Prisilla graduated and took her state boards. Although she did not pass her boards after the first few attempts, she never gave up. She passed her boards in 2011 and was told she scored the highest grade of her class on her boards.
With license in hand, and ready to tackle the work force by storm, Prisilla soon discovered that work in her field was scarce, and so for five years, she worked various jobs to provide for her boys. Many times she doubted herself, her decision, and whether this was truly the right path for her.
Prisilla is the first person in her family to graduate from college. As an esthetician, or skin care therapist, her license and training allow her to do facials, waxing, body treatments, microdermabrasion, paraffin waxing, chemical peels and microcurrent, which is a non-surgical form of a face lift, and much more. In addition to being a make-up artist, she does lash extensions, foot detoxes, foot scrubs and more.
Much of her referrals of clients and the testimonies she receives from those she serves boosts her confidence in her abilities, trade, and her calling. She considers herself a true servant and says she is fulfilling her passion because of the struggles she overcame to achieve her goals and her dream.
Red carpet day spa’s name is derived from her domestic violence background. Wanting to offer the “red carpet treatment” to clients of all walks of life, including but not limited to domestic violence victims, is her passion. Her clients, both male and female, range from ages 16-80 and are from all nationalities.
Today she works full time in her business and offers treatments on Saturdays by appointment only. She participates in various vending events and fashion shows, and has been known to offer free services on occasion to lift spirits and raise self-esteem. She is very involved with her church, is raising her two teenage boys, and has one serving in the US Army.
When asked what keeps her motivated and encouraged, Prisilla informed us that after the death of her best friend and investor, she had no idea how she would continue, and states that it is through her children and belief in Christ that she has been able to overcome many obstacles. She reminds herself often of a quote by Mary J. Blige often that says, “You can’t keep a good woman down.” Looking ahead, Prisilla hopes to open her own resort and offer red carpet enhancements and pampering services to her clients, in addition to housing up to three families on her premises, who currently are escaping a domestic situation.
Currently Prisilla is open from Wednesday through Friday from 10 to 5 and by special appointment on Saturdays.
To schedule your pamper session or gain more information about Red Carpet Day Spa, visit them online at www.redcarpetdayspa.com. Check out her special offer on page 7 of this issue.