Going Solo and Building It Right: The Verve Acne & Skin Clinic Story

Sydney Shaw had been working in aesthetics for over seven years inside med spas, day spas, and high end clinics. She knew the industry inside and out. She knew what her clients needed. And she knew that she could do it better on her own. So she took the leap and decided to go solo.

She launched Verve Acne & Skin Clinic in Portland, Michigan with a clear vision: a space that was equal parts luxurious and results-driven. Not a day spa and not a med spa. A mix of both. "Where relaxation meets results." She had stunning branding, a strong eye for aesthetics, and more ideas than any employer had ever let her run with.

All she needed was the website to hold it all.

A phone displays a fashion ad while a hand writes beside it on a gray surface.

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Fashion collage with black heels and a handbag on a shopping app page

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Woman in a white dress standing by display screens in a bright studio, showcasing a web layout.

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The Problem

Sydney's intake form said it plainly:

"I have no idea where to start. I want to sell products online but don't have the time to set up my shop. And I know what I want but have no clue how to create it."

She needed a tech partner who could take the vision she had fully formed in her head and actually build it so she could focus on her clients, her clinic, her family, and getting her nursing degree. (Who runs the world? Girls)

Things that were important to her:

Attract clients and share visuals to draw them in
Easy booking
Share more about herself and showcase her work
eCommerce shop with password
Pre & post procedure instructions

We kicked off on June 2, 2025 and Verve launched on August 20, 2025.

Black flared pants and shiny heels on a white studio background, with a handbag chain visible.

Woman in a white dress holding a skincare bottle while another tattooed hand points to her shoulder

Woman in black suit standing beside a medical cart, holding a blue cable.

Skincare products on a speckled countertop, including cream jar, serum dropper, and tube.

Assorted makeup and skincare products arranged on a textured surface with a black pouch and packaging.

Woman applying eye makeup with a pencil, smiling in a close-up black-and-white portrait.

Person in black pants and heels reclining on a chair, holding a black-and-white magazine.

Woman in black suit and sunglasses holding a champagne bottle and glass, smiling on a white background

Woman smiling in a mirror, posing in a dark outfit beside a large oval mirror.

Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a vape beside woven beach bags on sunlit concrete

Blue jeans, a seated person, and four skincare tubes on a sunlit floor.

Smiling woman in black blazer holding a tray with white skincare products and jars

The Build

Sydney had incredible branding and photography from the start. We set out to create an elegant, editorial site that finally matched it.

Pages We Designed & Developed:

Home — We created a first impression that immediately communicates luxury, credibility, and makes shopping easy
About — On this page we highlighted Sydney's story, her before/afters, and her multiple credentials
Services — We focused on a clear, beautiful lay out, and made it easy for new clients to navigate
Shop — A fully built out e-commerce experience
Ingredient Checker — A custom tool we created that adds real value for her acne and skin health clients
Contact — We set up FAQs for SEO, hours, Google map, and a form to get in touch

The details that made the difference:

Sydney carries professional grade brands including ZO Skin Health, Colorescience, Anfisa Skin, Epicutis, Face Reality, and Hydrinity. Each brand comes with its own story, its own rules, and its own reason to trust it. We decided to build brand specific sections directly into her product pages so that when a client lands on a Colorescience product, they see a curated section explaining what Colorescience is and why Sydney carries it. It gives your product pages a little extra oomph and promotes even more trust with visitors.

We also help Sydney solve a real business constraint: ZO Skin Health doesn't allow direct online sales, so we built a workaround with a "Request This Product" button that routes clients to a Google Form order submission. Clean, professional, and compliant with brand guidelines!

Skincare product collection collage with phone mockup, creams, serum, and model in sunglasses on a white background

The Real Win

A year after launch, Sydney came back to us ready to invest more time in her site. She signed on for our monthly support retainer and that's when everything started clicking. With consistent updates on her site, her shop, and her online presence, the store we built is getting better results than ever before.

A beautiful website isn't just a launch, it's a living thing. Just like a plant, the more attention you give it, the better it will perform.

Three laptop mockups stacked vertically, each showing a different fashion website design.

What Sydney Said

"Working with Dope Magic Co has truly been one of my best business decisions. Joelle is incredibly kind, patient, and professional. She has been a saving grace with monthly website updates as well as building out my entire e-commerce and website platform. I am very 'picky' and detail oriented and she always takes her time perfecting my vision."

Thank you Sydney, we love working with you! 🤍

The Takeaway

Sydney needed someone to build the infrastructure behind her vision. The shop, the systems, the workarounds for tricky brand restrictions, and the tools that serve her clients when she's not in the room. We're grateful to be part of her story.

If you can relate to Sydney's story, we'd love to work with you. Our job is to take the ideas in your head and turn them into digital resources that will help you grow for years to come.

Ready to build something that works with your life, not against it? Apply to work with us

Earnings Disclaimer: Dope Magic Co may report earnings and income statements from time to time. These statements are an estimate of what you could possibly earn and should not be considered a guarantee that you will get the same results. There is no guarantee that past earnings can be duplicated in the future. Dope Magic Co cannot guarantee your future results or success. The use of the information, products, and services of Dope Magic Co is based on your own actions and you agree that Dope Magic Co, its advertisers, affiliates, or sponsors are not liable for the success or failure of your business. Read more on our disclaimers.

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Joelle Riding • May 20, 2026