Glow Roc Spa seeks to create a sanctuary for Black beauty

Channel Sabado is a Black business owner in Rochester who has been making waves in the beauty industry since 2010. Her passion for skin care and beauty led her to obtain her aesthetics license, but she discovered that finding a space that catered to the needs of the Black community was challenging.

With a lack of professionals knowledgeable about Black skin in the area, Sabado struggled to find a home for the quality services she could provide her community. This struggle eventually led her to take a break from aesthetics, during which time she ran into a Black spa owner who needed help with marketing her business.

When the spa owner expressed a desire to target a different demographic, Sabado’s passion to advocate for Black skincare led her to leave that job and start her own business. In 2019, she started Glow Roc Spa in partnership with a small local boutique. The following year, in 2020, business came to a halt due to the pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, Sabado received numerous calls and messages from clients asking for virtual educational skincare tips. The demand for skincare education among the Black community was high, and Sabado found herself booked up for months once the stay-at-home orders were lifted and it was safe to report back to work. She moved into her own space and hired two employees to meet the demand and take on even more clients. She was thrilled to be able to educate her community about their skin and provide luxury spa services tailored to their needs.

Glow Roc Spa offers various services, including skincare education, massages, waxing, facials, body treatments, makeup and photography services, and more. Sabado’s goal is for each client who enters the spa to have an unforgettable experience. She asks her clients to take off their shoes and provides them with a robe, slippers, and a beverage and/or sweet treat. Before each service, she allows her clients 15 minutes to relax and unwind from their busy day.

“Everyone needs a moment,” she says.

Sabado has also partnered with other small businesses in the area by using their all-natural products in her spa. She has found that all-natural products work best on Black skin, and her clients appreciate the care she puts into selecting the products she uses. Her commitment to providing quality services to her community has earned her recognition, including the title of second-place winner of the She Means Business program.

Sabado’s journey in the beauty industry has been one of perseverance and dedication to serving her community. Her struggles to find a space that catered to the needs of the Black community inspired her to create her own, and her commitment to providing quality services and education to her clients has helped her business thrive. Glow Roc Spa is a testament to her passion and commitment to making a positive impact on her community.

“Why can’t there be a spa for ALL, INCLUDING people of color? Glow Spa is that spa!” Sabado says. “We are dedicated in providing full luxury services and an amazing experience.”

Jessica Flood is an Account Manager at LáLew Public Relations.

LáLew Public Relations, LLC is partnering with the RBJ on a monthly feature spotlighting Black and brown businesses. To suggest a business, please visit www.lalewpr.com and click on submit your story.