Today we’d like to introduce you to Fran Catterton.
Fran, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I never expected esthetics to become my career.
After graduating high school in 2002, I wasn’t sure what path I wanted to take. I was taking classes at community college while trying to figure out what I truly wanted to do. My stepsister had attended Spa Luna, a holistic esthetics school in Maui, Hawaii, and I decided to take a chance on something completely different. At 17 years old, I moved to Maui and enrolled in the program, thinking it would give me time to figure out my future. Instead, it ended up changing my life.
I returned home on my 18th birthday and began working at Morgan Gerard Salon & Spa in Annapolis. While waiting for Maryland’s licensing process to reopen, I started as a housekeeper and shampoo technician. The owners quickly recognized my ability to connect with clients, and once I became licensed in 2003, I was promoted to esthetician and given my own treatment room.
I spent the next thirteen years building relationships, growing my clientele, and learning the ins and outs of the beauty industry. Looking back, those years were an education in both esthetics and business. They taught me the importance of client relationships, consistency, and creating an experience people genuinely look forward to.
In October 2016, I opened Pretty Parlor, a private studio in Annapolis. The decision came after years of encouragement from my clients and a desire to create an experience that felt more personal and intentional. I realized people weren’t just coming in for treatments, they were coming in for connection. Many of my clients have been with me for years, and some have become like family.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that Pretty Parlor has grown almost entirely through word-of-mouth referrals. I’ve never been a hard seller. My philosophy has always been simple: be honest, care about people, and recommend what is truly best for them. When people trust you, everything else follows.
Over the years, my clients have inspired more than services, they’ve inspired businesses.
BLOKT was born after a frustrating experience with a powder sunscreen that exploded in my purse. Around the same time, I was hearing stories from clients whose husbands had been diagnosed with melanoma, often in areas like the nose, ears, and hairline where sunscreen is easily missed. Living in Annapolis, where boating, golf, and outdoor activities are a way of life, I saw an opportunity to create a better solution and make sun protection easier for people to use consistently.
FACE Collection LLC serves as the umbrella company for my brands and projects. FACE represents the initials of myself and my nieces and nephew. Fran, Ava, Camrin, and Elli, which makes every venture feel personal and connected to family.
Another client inspired Trans.Form Skincare. Her child was transitioning from male to female, and she shared how dramatically hormone therapy was affecting their skin. At the same time, I was experiencing my own hormonal changes and hearing similar concerns from clients. It became clear that there was a need for skincare that supported people through major hormonal transitions, regardless of the reason. That idea became the foundation for Trans.Form.
Perhaps the accomplishment I’m most proud of isn’t a product or even a business, it’s the community I’ve built. I lost my mother at a young age and no longer have my grandmothers in my life, but I’ve been fortunate to spend my career surrounded by incredible women. Many of my clients are successful business owners, professionals, mothers, and mentors. I often joke that I learn as much from them as they learn from me. Their wisdom, encouragement, and friendship have shaped me in countless ways.
Five years from now, I hope to be traveling more, consulting with luxury spas, and continuing to grow the brands under FACE Collection LLC. I see BLOKT in stores across the country and Trans.Form continuing to serve people navigating hormonal changes and skin challenges.
Most people are surprised to learn that despite spending all day talking to clients, I’m actually very introverted. After work, you’ll usually find me at home with a puzzle, a creative project, or an episode of The Golden Girls. I also have a habit of constantly dreaming up new business ideas, which keeps life interesting.
Looking back, I’m grateful that I didn’t have everything figured out at 17. Taking a chance on a small esthetics school in Maui led me to a career I love, a business built on trust, and opportunities I never could have imagined.
Looking back, I’m grateful I took a chance on myself before I had all the answers. What started as a move to Maui at 17 became a career spanning more than two decades, a business built on trust, and relationships that have enriched my life beyond anything I could have imagined. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that success comes from showing up consistently, caring deeply about people, and staying open to opportunities you never saw coming.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all, but I think that’s true for most entrepreneurs.
One of the biggest challenges was leaving the security of a salon where I had spent over a decade building my clientele, reputation, and confidence. Opening Pretty Parlor meant walking away from a steady paycheck and betting on myself. Even with the encouragement of loyal clients, there were plenty of moments when I questioned whether I was making the right decision.
I’ve also learned that not everyone will celebrate your success. As much as the beauty industry can be supportive, it can also be competitive. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of trusting my instincts, setting boundaries, and focusing on the people who genuinely support what I’m building.
Like many small business owners, COVID tested me in ways I never expected. Navigating shutdowns, uncertainty, and constant changes forced me to become more adaptable and resilient. It reminded me that business owners often have to make difficult decisions without having all the answers.
More recently, creating BLOKT and Trans.Form introduced me to an entirely new world. Developing products sounds exciting, and it is, but it’s also filled with challenges. Manufacturing, trademarks, patents, packaging, product design, and sourcing were all things I had to learn as I went. One of the most frustrating parts has been trying to bring a vision to life exactly as I see it. There were moments when I felt like my ideas weren’t being fully understood, but those experiences taught me patience, persistence, and the importance of advocating for myself.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that growth rarely happens when you’re comfortable. Every major opportunity in my life started with uncertainty from moving to Maui alone at 17 years old, to opening Pretty Parlor, to launching my own brands. If I had waited until I felt completely ready, I probably never would have done any of it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Pretty Parlor?
Pretty Parlor is a private esthetics studio in Annapolis, Maryland specializing in customized skincare treatments, lash services, waxing, spray tanning, and beauty services tailored to each client’s individual goals. I’ve been a licensed esthetician since 2003, and after more than two decades in the industry, I’ve learned that the most important part of what I do isn’t just the treatment, it’s the relationship.
What sets Pretty Parlor apart is the experience. Because I work in a private one-on-one setting, clients receive personalized attention in a relaxed environment where they can truly disconnect from the outside world. Many of my clients have been with me for years, and some for decades. Those relationships are the foundation of everything I’ve built.
I’ve never believed in high-pressure sales or chasing trends. My philosophy has always been simple: be honest, educate clients, and recommend what is genuinely best for them. When people trust you, they come back, and they tell their friends.
I’m especially proud that Pretty Parlor has grown almost entirely through word-of-mouth referrals. In a world driven by advertising and algorithms, I consider that one of my greatest accomplishments.
Beyond Pretty Parlor, I am the founder of FACE Collection LLC, the umbrella company for BLOKT and Trans.Form Skincare. FACE represents the initials of myself and my nieces and nephew—Fran, Ava, Camrin, and Elli—which makes every project deeply personal.
BLOKT was created to make sunscreen reapplication easier and more convenient for active lifestyles, while Trans.Form Skincare was inspired by clients navigating hormonal changes and looking for skincare that truly addressed their evolving needs.
At the heart of everything I do is helping people feel confident, comfortable, and cared for. Whether someone comes to me for a facial, lash appointment, skincare guidance, or simply an hour to relax, I want them to leave feeling better than when they arrived.
More than any product or award, the accomplishment I’m most proud of is building a business based on trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships. After more than 20 years in this industry, many clients have become like family, and that’s something I never take for granted.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The easiest way to work with me is through Pretty Parlor, my private esthetics studio in Annapolis, Maryland, where I offer customized skincare treatments, lash services, waxing, spray tanning, and beauty services in a one-on-one environment. New clients are always welcome, and referrals are one of the greatest compliments I can receive.
People can also support my growing brands under FACE Collection LLC. BLOKT was created to make sunscreen reapplication easier for everyday life, while Trans.Form Skincare was developed to support individuals experiencing hormonal changes and the unique skin challenges that often come with them.
As both brands continue to grow, I’m always interested in connecting with retailers, beauty professionals, wellness businesses, luxury spas, and strategic partners who align with our mission. I enjoy collaborating with people who are passionate about innovation, education, and creating products and experiences that genuinely improve people’s lives.
For readers who simply want to support what I’m building, follow along on social media, share my businesses with friends and family, leave reviews, and shop small whenever possible. Every referral, recommendation, appointment, and purchase makes a bigger impact than most people realize.
You can learn more, book services, or connect with me through Pretty Parlor, BLOKT, and Trans.Form Skincare online. Whether you’re a client, collaborator, retailer, or supporter, I’m always excited to meet new people and build meaningful relationships.
Pricing:
- Custom facial treatments starting at $125
- Lash Lift and tint $140
- Custom spray tans $60
- Eyelash extensions starting at $300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://prettyparlor.schedulista.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprettyparlor
