Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Connor.
Hi Nina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I felt drawn to the world of aesthetics from early age. The local skincare studio was my hangout spot since I was a teenager. I started getting regular monthly facials an age 16 when I developed mild acne. I remember one of the times I went for a facial and thinking to myself that THIS is what I want to do one day. Fast forward to my move to Chicago at age 23 and my childhood dream coming true when I enrolled in New Age Spa Institute at age 25. I truly enjoyed every part of my training and particularly learning about facial massage. I graduated from my program in 2007 when the country was in the middle of recession. Because of that, my start was really slow considering the fact that monthly facials was not something people prioritized at the time.
In my first job as an Esthetician, I didn’t receive any kind of training or guidance. I was told to sell products and follow protocols. Needless to say, I felt like my passion for skincare begin slowly to decline. I didn’t feel confident of my skills and I had no support system or at least someone I could look after or be mentored and inspired by. My second job was pretty much similar and focused primarily on upselling treatments, selling facial packages and products. I felt disappointed with the industry and to the point of giving up because this was so far away from my vision for myself and my carrier in the beauty industry. That was the time when I took a step back and immersed myself in the fitness industry. I became NASM certified and worked as a personal trainer while learning nutrition for optimal health and well-being. This reset was great for me because I had the time to truly decide what kind of environment and space I wanted to be in order to better myself and advance my experience moving forward in my carrier as an Esthetician. I did extensive research in my area and when the opportunity presented itself, I got hired in an upscale day spa in River North, Chicago.
During the time of my employment there, I finally felt that I was moving in the right direction and was able to rekindle my passion for the industry. I worked with a group of experienced Estheticians and gain enormous amount of experience.
Three years into my employment, I began to notice that I was becoming complacent and stagnant and the growth potential was something that was missing for me. In May 2017, I’ve decided to pursue my solo career and opened my first studio in downtown Chicago and Gold Coast shortly after that.
My business began to thrive and I was considering expansion in late 2019, early 2020. During the global pandemic, I was forced to close my studio in Chicago and move to Austin, Texas where I started my business all over again with a fresh new perspective and attitude. I opened my private skincare studio in Austin in September 2020.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road was not smooth for me in the beginning. The lack of proper training, mentorship and passion I faced in the “real world” really made me doubt the course of my carrier at the time. The challenges I am facing now are mostly business-related because of the fact that I am creative person and looking at charts or numbers is not something I am passionate about. However, having to figure out and overcome challenges on a daily has made me very resourceful and confident in myself and my skills.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I have private skincare studio where I see clients five days a week. I treat all kinds of skincare conditions like acne, hormonal acne and aging. My approach combines western technologies like LED, Microcurrent, and medical plus clinical and organic skincare and Eastern methods for skin and body rejuvenation. I specialize in Facelifting massage, Gua Sha, acupressure. I am particularly known for my Facelifting and Buccal massages and advanced facial protocols.
My philosophy is to treat the skin as a whole and rebuilding/ nourishing the skin rather than tearing in apart.
My treatments are a fusion of deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experiences delivering outstanding results.
I think what sets me apart is my passion for skincare and my quest to always innovate and evolve my work and the value I provide for my clients. I am mostly proud of my first branded beauty tool, the Moon Gua Sha and my exclusive facial pop-ups in Chicago. Also, the beginning of a new chapter for me with the launch of my online platform for skincare professionals, Skin Lab Academy, where I will be focusing on providing training and mentorship for Estheticians. My dream is to innovate the industry with a fresh and elevated approach to business and client satisfaction.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’ve collaborated with local influencers and this is something I have truly enjoyed. I would love to attend different social events where I can provide my services in the future.
My dream is to eventually be in a position where I can sponsor or help women in all ages to pursue their carrier in the beauty industry.
Pricing:
- Face lifting massage with Buccal $150
- Custom facial $200
- Holistic French Beauty facial $180
- Gua Sha facial $170
- Moon Gua Sha $120
Contact Info:
- Email: glowbynina@yahoo.com
- Website: https://www.glowbynina.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/glowbynina?utm_medium=copy_link
