Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Daugherty.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve had an interest in aesthetics and skincare from a very young age. I remember sneaking my older sister’s Dermalogica Skin Care and mixing up DIY face masks and sugar wax recipes I found in her beauty magazines. Who knew this would spark an interest that would ultimately lead to where I am now?
I began my aesthetics career in my early 20’s working in a MedSpa assisting a physician with Cryotherapy and Body Contour Treatments. I loved every minute working with patients to support them while working toward their body goals. Seeing patients walk in for the first time, self-conscious and embarrassed by their appearance; then with each appointment thereafter, they stand a little taller, smile a little wider and slowly begin to feel more confident in every aspect of their lives; truly energized me. I wanted to spread that confidence to everyone each and every day.
In my mid 20’s, I developed cystic acne that I was unable to treat on my own, so I began to visit different spa’s in my area for treatment. Every esthetician had different advice, different treatments and finally, I realized most were just trained push retail, and providing clients with results was not a priority.
After wasting a lot of money and time with no relief for my skin, I decided it was time to figure this out on my own. I enrolled in esthetics school and began learning everything I could. I did a lot of independent study, took every certification available to me as a student, learned the correlation between healthy skin, body and mind, and that my particular skin ailment was a result of a hormonal imbalance. I immediately customized my own nutrition, exercise and skincare program and for the first time in years, my skin began to heal. After this revelation, I knew my path would entail spreading this knowledge to help others like me truly heal their skin conditions instead of masking the issue.
After becoming licensed, I accepted a job at a corporate spa. It did not take long to see the forceful practices of this company pushing retail on clients to increase sales instead of customized treatments and products to client’s unique skin needs. I knew immediately it was not the place for me, and if I was going to truly help others, I would need to open my own spa with my own values.
I discovered a beautiful office next to a nutritionist. It was the perfect opportunity for my vision, so I took the leap and opened my own spa. I made it my mission to provide results-driven skin care treatments, using only medical-grade, FDA-approved products and equipment to ensure my clients attained the results they were seeking. Partnering with a nutritionist allows me to truly give each client the education and tools needed to find relief for skin issues and achieve beautiful, healthy skin from the inside out.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Getting started in this industry came with its fair share of challenges. Right from the start, I enrolled in a school that changed their schedule the week before I was scheduled to start classes, making it impossible to attend with my parental and work responsibilities. I then enrolled at a different school that would better accommodate my schedule. Unfortunately, this school had enrolled a full esthetics class without an esthetics instructor, so it was up to us as students to teach ourselves the curriculum, and most of us had to spend several thousand more (on top of our tuition) attending outside certification classes to ensure we were knowledgeable and confident before treating clients.
Shortly after making the decision to go solo, the COVID shut down happened, and I had to close my doors before I could even take my first client. Although devastating, it was a blessing in disguise. It gave me the opportunity to meet and train with a medical team on injectables and other medical aesthetic procedures and because of that time off from treating clients, I’m now able to offer my clients a total body MedSpa experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Kelly Daugherty Aesthetics is a boutique MedSpa in downtown Belton, Texas that specializes in licensed, nonsurgical aesthetic procedures. We are constantly adapting to the latest treatments on the market that are tested and proven to provide the most effective results and require minimal downtime. When it comes to glowing, youthful skin, we understand the connection between healthy living and quality of life and work closely with our in-house nutritionist to create the perfect balance for our clients. When we have our health, we have everything, but when we have healthy beautiful skin, we can take on the world with confidence and grace.
Because I’ve personally battled chronic skin conditions, I know the impact skin issues can have on your self-esteem and overall quality of life, so I strive to educate myself daily and attend regular trainings with leaders of our industry to provide my clients the most effective treatments available.
I’ve recently launched my own medical grade skincare line; Helios Apothecary, with only high-quality ingredients that I’ve personally researched, tested and have proven to give my clients the results they are seeking. Because of the strength and efficacy of our ingredients, Helios Apothecary is only sold in spa after in person consultations and treatments to ensure products that are prescribed to clients are safe for their unique skin and will provide the results they are wanting. You can view products and learn the story behind Helios Apothecary at www.HeliosApothecary.com
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
This industry can be tough to get started in and finding a reputable mentor can be a challenge. My advice for someone wanting to begin a career in aesthetics would be to first and foremost get their license from an accredited school with positive reviews. Then attend reputable trainings and certifications in the areas that interest you, so you are constantly exposed to highly trained educators that are knowledgeable in their topic and will steer you in the right direction professionally. You should also attend social and promotional events at spas in your area to meet others with similar interests and career goals. This allows you to experience different spa environments, network and show your support for estheticians and spas in your area.
Pricing:
- Facials: Starting at $85
- Botox & Xeomin Starting at $10/Unit
- Dermal Filler Starting at $550/Syringe
- PDO Thread Lifts Starting at $900
- VI Peel Starting at $250
Contact Info:
- Email: KellyDaughertyAesthetics@gmail.com
- Website: www.KellyDaughertyAesthetics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly.daugherty.aesthetics
- Facebook: https://pages.facebook.com/KellyDaughertyAesthetics/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kelly-daugherty-aesthetics-belton
Image Credits:
Kirby Bailey with MXR Media
