An Immigrant Esthetician’s Journey from $50 to a Multi-Award-Winning Spa and a Partnership with a Skincare Powerhouse
At L+A, we’re honored to feature passionate professionals who are helping shape the future of skincare, and this month’s spotlight is truly extraordinary. In partnership with our Diamond Sponsor, M.A.D Skincare, we are thrilled to introduce April’s Featured Skincare Professional: Eva Sztupka-Kerschbaumer—a trailblazer, educator, and the heart behind esSpa Kozmetika Organic Hungarian Skincare.
Thanks to M.A.D Skincare for sponsoring this article so that we may share Eva’s inspiring story of success.
If you’ve ever crossed paths with Eva at industry events like IMCAS in Paris or IECSC, you know that her story is unforgettable. With a powerful blend of resilience, business savvy, and authentic care, Eva has built one of the top-performing spas in the country—all with M.A.D Skincare as a foundational brand.
From Budapest to the American Dream
Eva’s journey began in 1996, when she sold her grandmother’s jewelry and used the money to buy a one-way ticket from Budapest to New York City. With no family, little English, and only $50 to her name, she navigated her way—thanks to the kindness of an Amtrak conductor—to Pittsburgh.
She spent that $50 on a cab ride and a hamburger, then got to work building a new life. “I learned English by watching reruns of Gilligan’s Island,” she says with a laugh. “It was survival—and a crash course in American culture.”Eva found work in a local salon, and over the next few years, she pursued her passion for wellness and skincare. By 2002, she opened esSpa Kozmetika Organic Hungarian Skincare, creating a sanctuary that merged her Hungarian roots with the luxury of the American spa experience.
A Spa Like No Other
What makes esSpa so unique? It’s the perfect blend of clinical results, holistic healing, and high-touch beauty services. With a 7,000 sq. ft. Green Certified facility, 15 treatment rooms, and over 33 employees, esSpa delivers more than 17,000 treatments annually.
“We offer holistic treatments. We offer advanced clinical services. We offer beauty-based services. So what do I focus on? The answer is yes, yes, and yes,” Eva explains. “My talent is combining all of these segments to deliver something truly unique—something you literally can’t find anywhere else, especially not at our price.”
Inspired by her upbringing in Communist Hungary—where spas were a vital part of life—Eva brought that mindset to Pittsburgh. “In Hungary, spas were on every corner. They weren’t a luxury. They were a way of life for everyone—men, women, children. That’s what I wanted to recreate here in America.”
M.A.D Skincare: The Backbone of Her Business
Since day one, M.A.D Skincare has been a core part of esSpa’s operations. “We literally use every M.A.D product in our treatment rooms,” Eva shares. “From the cleansers and the new Four Fruit Enzyme Exfoliating Mask that starts the treatment, to the Photo Guard SPF 50 Self-Adjusting Foundation that finishes the facial.”
M.A.D Skincare is the secret behind Eva’s ability to deliver fully customized treatments without compromising on efficacy or client comfort. “We do over 70 individual treatments a day. We’re open seven days a week—including Sundays and Mondays. So we need ‘bulletproof’ products that deliver results—every day, for every client.”
Her favorite part? The flexibility. “We create ‘M.A.D Cocktails’ to enhance the results for our clients without worrying about irritation or cross-use issues. That’s a big deal in this industry,” she adds. “You can’t always say that with other brands.”
The Results Speak for Themselves
It’s not just Eva who sees the benefits—her clients do, too. With over $530,000 in M.A.D product sales through her boutique, the proof is in the performance. “Our clients love the results they get from their treatments, and they continue the journey at home with M.A.D.”
esSpa’s top-selling M.A.D products include:
- Delicate Daily Moisturizer (a standout bestseller)
- Redness Rescue
- Breakout Control Moisturizer
- Youth Transformation Age Corrective Serum
“These products aren’t just sitting on our shelves,” Eva says. “They’re being bought and used—and repurchased again and again. That means clients are seeing real results.”
Real Skincare, Real Trust
M.A.D’s integrity and transparency are also major reasons Eva remains loyal. “We’ve been to their manufacturing facility in New Jersey. We’ve seen the raw materials, the filling lines, the process,” she says. “M.A.D isn’t just buying product in bulk and slapping a label on it. It’s made with care—and that makes a difference.”
And when it comes to support, M.A.D excels. “I can call, text, or email the President of the company and get a response immediately. That doesn’t happen with most skincare brands.” Eva says this level of trust is what helps her team confidently recommend home care to clients. “Our clients know we’re not just making sales. We’re offering solutions. We’re educating. That builds loyalty. M.A.D delivers the kind of skincare products estheticians trust—formulas that are results-driven, adaptable, and reliable.”
Training That Goes Deeper
As the first M.A.D Skincare Trainer, Eva has played a key role in helping the brand reach professionals across the globe. She has represented M.A.D at countless trade shows and education workshops, delivering real-world insights and advanced treatment protocols.
“No one is more knowledgeable about ingredients and formulations than M.A.D President, Michael Contorno,” she says. “He took M.A.D into esthetic schools, which was genius. That’s how you build trust—by educating professionals from day one.”
Her experience with other brands makes her appreciation for M.A.D stand out even more. “The training offered by M.A.D is top tier. I’ve received training from startups and international conglomerates alike—M.A.D is unmatched in its class.”
Customer Service That Sets the Standard
“There is no better customer service provided by any other skincare brand than that delivered by M.A.D Skincare. PERIOD,” Eva says emphatically. And she means it.
The brand’s dedication to professional partnerships—especially its refusal to sell direct-to-consumer—is one of many reasons Eva believes M.A.D truly supports the esthetic community. “They care about our business. And that’s rare.”
What’s Next for Eva + esSpa?
Despite her incredible success, Eva isn’t slowing down. “This year is on track to be our best yet,” she says. “We’ve grown every year since opening—except during the government shutdown—and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Her team of 33 includes licensed estheticians, massage therapists, nail techs, guest service reps, and even a Director of Marketing. Together, they’ve created an atmosphere where guests feel valued, pampered, and empowered.
esSpa continues to win awards and accolades—including Best Family Spa from Travel + Leisure and The 3rd Best Spa in America by The Industry Source—but Eva remains grounded.
“My job is to put the client first. Always,” she says. “That’s what drives our success. That, and a great product partner like M.A.D.”
About M.A.D Skincare
M.A.D Skincare is a Diamond Sponsor with L+A and a leader in science-driven skincare. Known for their maximum active ingredient concentrations and superior formulations, M.A.D delivers real results for real clients. Learn more at M.A.D Skincare.