Hi everyone,
As we are transitioning to a new season, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a bit about myself.
🌸 CHILDREN WONDER 🦋
For those who may not know, my full name is Ildiko, but most people call me Ildi for ease of pronunciation. I was born and raised in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, where beauty played an integral role in my personal life from a young age.
My mother used to take me to a renowned facialist with the most flawless skin you could ever imagine. Her touch was as gentle as a butterfly, and she owned a small garden where she would concoct face masks. Sometimes they’d be spicy and tingly, other times soothing. These experiences piqued my interest in beauty.
Gaining entrance into beauty school was quite a challenge, given that there was only one in Budapest, which everyone vied to get into. After five years of intense schooling, I was ready to immerse myself fully in the world of beauty.
✈️ THE START OF THE JOURNEY 🌎
I moved to Austria and fell in love with its natural beauty and quality of life. An opportunity then presented itself for me to move to the United States. Leaving my family behind was nerve-wracking (even thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes). I didn’t speak much English. I did odd jobs to support myself.
One day a client told me about a spa looking for an esthetician, and long story short, I got the job. The experience was enriching, and I learned a lot. However, I yearned for more, which led to the opening of Ildi Pekar Spa in 2007
If you know me, you’ll understand that I’m always seeking ways to enhance treatments and products. My first visit to Saks Fifth Avenue was like stepping into a candy store – Chanel, Dior, and various other brands that were scarce back home were now at my fingertips. However, my excitement was short-lived as my skin began to react negatively to these products.
🌹 THE BIRTH OF ILDI PEKAR SKINCARE 🐝
This led me on a quest for natural products, which proved challenging. Most options contained overpowering scents like lavender and rose. So, I toyed with the idea of crafting my own skincare line (a seemingly crazy idea at the time considering my financial situation and lack of knowledge on how to start). After sharing this idea with clients, one mentioned knowing a beekeeper who was also a chemist. This chance encounter marked the beginning of my journey into creating my own skincare line.
A few years later, I. Pekar was born. It hasn’t been an easy ride, with moments of despair and thoughts of giving up. But seeing what I’ve created fills me with immense pride and keeps me going. I am incredibly grateful for all your support – without it, and the constant encouragement from my family, staff, clients, and friends, none of this would have been possible. I am indeed a very fortunate woman. And the lesson here is to always believe in yourself, even when every chance seems stacked against you. Your dreams are worth manifesting as long as your are ready to accept the challenges and the hard work it often requires. 💖
