How a Former Lithuanian Model Became a Business Owner in Barcelona

Mante Silva on Vocational Education, Upskilling, and Excellence

We live in a world where academic paths are often glorified and vocational education doesn’t receive enough credit. Lithuanian-born, Barcelona-based Mante Silva’s story is one such example; the former model-turned-esthetician found her true calling in skin health after years of photoshoots, and completing a university degree she wasn’t passionate about.?

This interview with Mante is an inspiring read if you’re looking to pursue vocational education, educate clients with targeted content, or open your own (beauty) business. In this article, she shares what motivated her to take the unconventional path and open a beauty spa, the hurdles she faced along the way, and how she continuously invests in upskilling to excel in her craft.?

Tell Us About Yourself, Mante

I grew up in Lithuania with strong female role models around me - My grandmother is a microbiologist and my mother is an esthetician who runs her own salon. You could say I grew up in the world of beauty and make-up since I observed the treatments and services my mother offered to clients! I did some modelling after high school, which gave me the chance to travel but I badly wanted to pursue cosmetology.?

At that time, my mother told me “don’t get into the beauty business; there’s no consistent income and you’ll have to work hard”. I listened to my family’s suggestions and enrolled in a degree in furniture design. I knew I’d never work in that field even before graduating - it was simply too boring for a creative person like me - but I completed the degree anyway.?

It was only after moving to Spain and meeting my husband that I decided to go for what I truly wanted. I returned to Lithuania for a while and took vocational training and courses in cosmetology and make-up, working with my mom in her salon at the same time. That hands-on experience gave me the time and opportunity to put my knowledge into practice and specialise in skin health. I kept reading more books and taking courses on the side to grasp how it’s related to our overall health, lifestyle, and hormones.??

I came back to Spain and started working at hotel spas to offer a range of skin treatments after this.?

What Made You Open Your Own Business Despite Having a Great Career?

I knew I wanted to work independently from the beginning - I saw my mom run her beauty business and the freedom it gave her. And I have a strong opinion on what’s right or wrong, which was a bit of a struggle for me as an esthetician working for a spa attached to a hotel. This had its pros and cons.?

I got to work with many celebrities and learnt a great deal within a short time. However, I wouldn’t push clients to buy a product that didn’t work or was about to expire soon just because it earned us a commission. I’m an honest person and this goes against my ethics.?

It took me a while to become an entrepreneur due to a variety of factors, though: I was an immigrant in a foreign country, was conscious of my accent, and I didn’t trust myself enough. Despite all of this, I knew I wanted to be the best in my line of work. These jobs at hotel spas helped me learn all about the standards in place for hygiene and customer care, and protocols regarding client confidentiality.?

I also understood how the market for beauty treatments operates, how to market and invest in services, and how to maintain professionalism. I took the time to understand how each ingredient affects the skin, and to try out a range of products on myself (I still do this before I sell any product to my own clients!)?

Unlike big businesses, my budget for investing was limited. I started out by renting a room in different salons to offer my treatments privately (renting a property in Barcelona can be costly!) That experience made me badly want my own place - where I could work according to my own preferences and offer more services to clients. I made it happen some years down the line with the help of my partner Andrea Funari, and am proud to say that Barcelona Beauty Urban Spa celebrated its 2-year anniversary in March 2024!?

It took me a while to become an entrepreneur due to a variety of factors, though: I was an immigrant in a foreign country, was conscious of my accent, and I didn’t trust myself enough.

Do You Believe Growing Up in Lithuania Shaped Your Entrepreneurial Mindset and Area of Focus? What About Working in Barcelona?

Yes, absolutely. Although Lithuania has only around 3 million inhabitants, the standards for beauty, self-care, and dressing are quite high. Growing up there, I observed how you had to specialise in something to be able to survive and make a name for yourself. That influenced me to not just offer skin treatments but also educate clients on the mind-body-skin connection when working with them.?

My personal experiences played a big role too; my husband is Brazilian and my children are of mixed race. And when I came to Barcelona after my cosmetology courses, I saw how ethnically diverse the place is. I knew that one-size-fits-all treatments would not work here, so I educated myself on skin types and the common ailments and characteristics associated with them.??

I didn’t want to be afraid if a client came in to ask for help or get stuck while treating them. Anyone can sell you a face wash or apply a mask on your face. Explaining why a product or treatment is beneficial, how it’ll affect your skin in particular, and what's going on inside your body by examining the skin are skills I have worked hard to develop. I think that definitely has to do with where I was raised. I am inclined to go the extra mile.

Does your Diverse Background Generally Attract Lithuanians or a Mix of Nationalities to Your Spa?

A mix of both. Because I speak my native tongue, I get lots of Lithuanian clients (there is a large community in Barcelona). I also attract a lot of international clients since I speak English, and some local clients too.?

The local clientele - not necessarily from Catalonia - usually comes in at a later stage, like in their fifties or when it's too late because preventative measures were not taken. They have had overexposure to the sun, often smoke, have a poor diet, and they want one treatment to look 10 years younger. It’s not possible. I usually tell them they might need plastic surgery since I can't reverse such deep skin damage.?

Contrary to foreign clients, the expectation from local clients is based on immediate problem-solving instead of long-term preventative care. The skin is a mirror and we cannot treat it like that, unfortunately.?

I didn’t want to be afraid if a client came in to ask for help or get stuck while treating them. Anyone can sell you a face wash or apply a mask on your face. Explaining why a product or treatment is beneficial, how it’ll affect your skin in particular, and what's going on inside your body by examining the skin are skills I have worked hard to develop. I think that definitely has to do with where I was raised. I am inclined to go the extra mile.

Your Instagram Content is Quite Focused on Educating Clients. How Do They Respond to This??

Yes, on Instagram, I share how my treatments are benefitting clients while educating my followers too. It’s the same for anyone who books a treatment with me at the salon. Before I start any treatment, I ask the client a set of questions to determine their needs, and estimate how much they want to know about their skin health. Sometimes, I feel they just want to relax instead of communicating, and that’s okay because I adapt to everyone’s needs.?

I recently had a client whose skin showed signs of an intolerance to sugar. I asked her if someone in her family has diabetes to which she said “yes”. I explained that her skin responds to sugar in a certain way, and she wanted to learn more immediately.?

Some clients get scared since I'm not a doctor but I give suggestions in a friendly manner. It's not my job to judge someone’s lifestyle, so I usually say “If you're smoking a lot, try to take extra vitamin C to fight free radicals”. My job is to help clients get the maximum from their (skin) health.?

Our skin is just a reflection of what is going on inside the body - it shows us stress levels, and damage from smoking, sugar intake, and hormonal changes. I don't believe in quick fixes for deeper issues and often suggest that people let themselves heal without forcing anything on the body. Healing can take months depending on the situation.?

What’s Your Opinion on Beauty and Skincare Trends??

Skincare and beauty trends must be followed cautiously. I know people are curious and want to try new things because of testimonials and reviews but it all depends on your skin type.?

For example, Asian skin is usually oilier and doesn’t age so fast but it needs less emollients, whereas European skin ages faster and may need heavier products. In other words, choosing a 10-step skincare routine that’s not made for your skin type may do you more harm than good - despite being a hype on TikTok or the fact that it’s promoted by an influencer.?

I would also add that your lifestyle and where you live makes a big difference. Pollution, wind, heat, and sun exposure all make a difference to your skin health, and you’ll have to look at your diet and sleep too.?

I’m not saying only salon-grade products are good; even basic drugstore products can be ideal as long as they don’t contain harmful ingredients and suit your needs.??

How Would You Encourage People Who Want to Choose a Vocational Path But are Scared??Is Upskilling Important?

I would say to go for it no matter what anyone says. Life is like a melting ice cube; do you really want to spend it in a job you don’t like only because it pays well? The car, the flat, and the money may not make up for the inner satisfaction you seek.?

If you want to be the best in your field you’ll have to work hard for it. You cannot be 50% in. You’ll need to dedicate 100% of your time and energy to become the best. And the satisfaction and income will follow because you put the effort in. The universe is generous like that.?

Yes, people may look down on what you do for a living but don’t let it affect you. In Spain, for example, vocational careers are not seen as a real career choice. This still happens to me. I believe it’s because people underestimate how much effort it takes to hone our craft.?

You’ll have to invest in yourself and my advice is don’t stop after your vocational course ends/you’ve opened a business. Keep upskilling by reading books, taking courses, and attending seminars and industry events. You have to know what the trends are and what the latest technology in your field is to stand out. I proudly hang my certificates in the spa to illustrate the excellence I stand for and the commitment to upskilling myself.?

Moreover, stay curious and ask for help when you need it from people who have more experience/are more knowledgeable. Pretending you know everything will work adversely, and gaining knowledge in your field is necessary for success.?

Last but not least: don’t wait too long. I wish I had gone to medical school to study dermatology years ago, for example. My focus is on providing for my children now and I don't have that luxury anymore. Go for your dreams when you can ??

Yes, people may look down on what you do for a living but don’t let it affect you. This still happens to me and?I proudly hang my certificates in the spa to illustrate the excellence I stand for and the commitment to upskilling myself.?

#diversity #upskilling #vocationaleducation #women #careers

Raksha Daryanani is a freelance journalist, ghostwriter, and editor. She helps people bring their experiences and ideas to life via articles, stories, speeches, and books. She also publishes a weekly Substack newsletter on becoming more aware, building a habit of reflection, and appreciating the beauty of life. Sign up here or DM to find out how she can write for you.