Maria Freed

I’ve had a long history of choosing jobs that involve helping people. It seems to have been a passion of mine from early on in my life. From volunteering as a teen with the Marin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, to retail sales, to a summer seasonal firefighter position, and finally, a 16+ year career in emergency dispatching, I’ve enjoyed working to help others. I am a people-person by nature, and have also always liked meeting and getting to know people from various backgrounds.

“After a major, unexpected loss in my family’s life several years ago, I was compelled to find a profession that would allow me more time with my two young children, and simultaneously bring more peace and balance in my life. It was then that I sought out the path to a career in esthetics. From my very first day in beauty college, I knew I had chosen the right profession: esthetics would combine my love of helping people, along with utilizing my creative side, as well as my long-standing interest in science.

Truly, the best part of my job is getting to meet new and interesting people all the time! And since I get to spend more than just a few minutes with them, I get the opportunity to know them a little better with each visit, and they tend to become friends, if not like extended family. I love that I get to help teens with their acne, teach 20-somethings how to prevent wrinkles, to help stressed-out women (and men!) feel relaxed and pampered, and educate people of all ages about what products and ingredients will help them improve their skin. I really can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing!

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family and friends, as well as volunteering
with the Junior League of Napa Sonoma and Cotati-Rohnert Park Project Grad. I just completed
my first and second years on the Board of Directors for these organizations, and it has been a
very rewarding experience with each of them. Being outdoors makes me truly happy: hiking,
beach combing, biking, camping, travel, etc. I also love fitness and weight training, baking, fine
dining, movies, live theater and concerts, SF Giants games, and I’ve recently taken up salsa dancing!