At a cozy spa on Utah Avenue, clients arrive to push pause on the frenzied world outside. They find it at Cloey’s Skinporeium, under the care of a polite and talented esthetician named Cloey Roper, a young businesswoman with great promise for a long career ahead.
“I, first of all, enjoy what I do, and I’m confident in it,” says Cloey. “I’m doing something that I love, and I am comfortable in my element.”
Cloey graduated from Payson High School in 2009, and spent the following year searching for a career that would be a good fit. Having been raised in a family of small business owners, owning her own shop had an appeal.
“At the time, it kind of seemed like the natural thing to do,” she said.
The trade of an esthetician seemed to be a perfect fit. “I’ve struggled with acne for most of my life,” she said. “Skincare was always something that I’ve had to do.”
Before opening her spa in 2010, Cloey enrolled and completed a program certifying her as a Master Esthetician from ACAYDIA School of Aesthetics, located in Provo. She received training, too, and became fully certified to perform permanent cosmetics.
Cloey’s Skinporeium has since grown into an invaluable part of a harmonious group of businesses operating inside Commercial Place complex, a building at 145 East Utah Avenue that is shared by The Payson Chronicle, Permanent Cosmetics by Trudy, a business owned by Cloey’s mom, Trudy Taylor Barrick, and aunts who each have their own businesses to run. These are Joe Coffee & Espresso, owned by Cloey’s aunt, Colette Wing, and a hair salon, Curl Up & Dye, that first opened decades ago by Sue Brown Taylor, Cloey’s grandma, which continues today under the ownership of Cloey’s aunt, Buffie Quist.
Historically, the Commercial Place housed Snow White Dry Cleaning, a business owned by Cloey’s great-grandpa, the late Wallace Brown. Then there was the old millinery of the late 1800s, just a few blocks away on Payson Main Street, where Cloey’s great-great-great-grandmother, Clyde Wilson made her mark as one of the community’s first businesswomen. Later, the millinery would evolve into a high-end dress shop owned by Cloey’s great-grandmother, the late Kathryn Brown, leaving little doubt that business runs in the family’s veins.
“I think I’ve been fortunate, having a lot of influences,” said Cloey. “They’ve been supportive and helpful. I think it’s cool that I get to be here with my aunts, my grandma, my mom. I think I am lucky that I do have so much family here. We’re all friends.”
Friendliness extends into the atmosphere her spa. The walls, painted in soft olive green, are complemented by calming greenery and wispy white lace curtains, providing a welcoming feel. Her tools of the trade are neatly stored inside, waiting the next client to step in, kick back, and enjoy restorative respite, regardless of time or reason for their stay.
“I think that there are a lot of people who don’t take advantage of making time for themselves and I have seen it transform them,” she said.
The transformation comes through any of the “head to toe skin care” services at Cloey’s Skinporeium. These include a variety of facials, microdermabrasion treatments, chemical peels, back treatments, manicures, pedicures, eyelash extensions and fills, and eyelash and brow tinting.
Mattie Nielsen, of Payson, is there part-time, lending her talents to the business’s work of treating and transforming clients.
Cloey admits that running a business can be challenging. Business owners have responsibilities that requires consistent attention. Nonetheless, “It’s been fun,” she remarked. “My favorite part has been meeting people. A lot of my clients, I consider family now.”
