Kristal Manning, a 2011 graduate of the Elizabeth Grady School has learned to balance her first love, family, with her second, helping others through the art and science of esthetics. Kristal is the founder and creator of Daily Comfort, a natural and organic skin care line.
We wanted to catch up with Kristal and ask her a few questions about her business and what has brought her to this point in her career. Here are five questions with Elizabeth Grady Graduate, KRISTAL MANNING.
Following graduation, what was your first professional stepping stone?
While attending school I worked as a receptionist at a local spa. After graduating, I was able to hone my craft working as a licensed esthetician at the Elizabeth Grady salon in Framingham before relocating to North Carolina.
What led you to develop your own skin care line?
The events leading up to developing my own skincare line sometimes feel like fate. I was working for myself as an esthetician in North Carolina and loved what I did, but I knew I wanted to do more. I’ve always loved to create my own healthy recipes and have always been interested in a more natural lifestyle. When I became pregnant with my first child in 2015 I began investigating and researching exactly what was in all of the products I was using. So, I decided to do some research on how to make my own skincare from scratch.
What are some of the most important lessons/parts of your esthetics program that in retrospect have been the most important in your current success?
One of the most important lessons from my education at Elizabeth Grady is that an esthetician can provide clients with valuable information as to the proper health care of their skin. Education is key! The more I know, the more I can help people! I have transformed people’s skin simply because I understand the skin, how to identify the problems, and how to create solutions. I could never have helped so many people had I not been passionate about learning or had such wonderful teachers to guide me.
What part of your story would you most want to share with someone thinking about pursuing an esthetics education?
I went on a tour at Elizabeth Grady because my friend wanted to go and didn’t want to take the tour alone. I thought maybe I could take a makeup course there and possibly work at a kiosk in the mall as a makeup artist. When I took the tour of the school, I immediately knew I needed to be at that school as an esthetics student. 
My point is, don’t limit your possibilities. Don’t let your own fears or other people’s perceived limitations of you determine your destiny. Don’t waste your God-given talents because you’re afraid. The only thing you should ever be afraid of is not seeing how far you can go.
What are a few non-skincare things you like to do when you’re not working? What do you enjoy about them?
When I’m not working, I love to be by the water to ground myself and breathe. I have three small children and they are the light of my life. Being by the ocean with them and my husband is my happiest of places.
Kristal was interviewed by NBC12 in North Carolina about her products for women with cancer.
Kristal’s Skin Care Line, Daily Comfort, was featured on Fox 8 News in North Carolina.