10 Questions for Capricious Skin Care Owner Brandi Colton

, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., suite 209, has been in operation since March of 2010. It offers facials, microdermabrasion, waxing, peels, body treatments, lash and brow tinting, lash extensions and make-up services. The business is owned by , a highly skilled esthetician in all areas of skin care, including permanent cosmetics. Prior to opening Capricious Skin Care, Colton worked in the high tech industry as a hardware layout design engineer for 26 years, many of those years as a manager. The business has been recognized by Groupon as one of the best 150 companies in the country. Its hours of operation are 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

Los Gatos Patch: What did you dream of being as a kid?

Brandi Colton: My own boss. I watched how hard my mom worked to support us. She worked for others for a long time, then she started her own business. That's when things really changed!

Patch: How does your personality play into your business?

Colton: I finally have an outlet for my tenacity and my nurturing side! I love to make things happen. I enjoy working hard and then enjoying the fruits of my labor. Owning your own business definitely requires a lot of hard work. I get tremendous satisfaction from making others feel good. This business lets me do both of those things!

Patch: At what moment did you decide to open a business?

Colton: I was looking for a space to rent in an existing shop somewhere so I could earn a living. Just for kicks, I looked at a few empty shop fronts. I peered into one window and I saw it ... My spa waiting to be created! I guess you could call it a vision. I was definitely moved by that experience.

Patch: What inspired you?

Colton: My mom. And myself. The way I was raised, it never occured to me that I couldn't do it. It felt natural.

Patch: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the Town of Los Gatos?

Colton: Fees and restrictions. When I was first getting started, things like licensing fees and signage restrictions were daunting. Since then, I've come to appreciate the necessity of these requirements if you want to run a business in such a special area, and I have clearly benefitted from it. But that was tough.

Patch: Describe the best thing about owning a business in the Town of Los Gatos?

Colton: Even though it is situated in such a densely populated valley, the Town of Los Gatos still has that small town feel and sense of community. The locals who come in are warm and friendly. The people who travel from other towns to visit the spa are equally drawn to those qualities. We all come together nicely, and it feels good.

Patch: What is one thing you would never change about your business?

Colton: The way we treat our clients. I am continually blown away by the sense of family. We treat each and every client like a dear friend. And we mean it. We want every person who comes through that door to leave feeling cared for and special. I certainly feel that way after every encounter. It's a great way to spend my days.

Patch: What is your business' greatest asset?

Colton: My staff. We love each other. I do all I can to nurture them personally and professionally. We have impressive stability and longevity in an industry where people tend to move around a lot. We're like family.

Patch: What is your favorite spot in town?

Colton: The Farmers Market! I love flowers and I love to cook! I get the most amazing flowers for my home and business. It makes me happy to see people enjoy the simple things in life, like beauty and good food.

Patch: What's one thing the community should know about you?

Colton: I guess that would have to be how much I benefit every day from the people that come through my door. I never could have dreamed how gratifying and fulfilling this line of work would be. It feels like a dream come true, and I am truly grateful.