Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristie Lee Laskes.
Kristie Lee , please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
While going to college, I became a Mary Kay Consultant. I loved sharing the product with people, but the best part was how people felt when they left. They felt great! And at that point, I knew I needed to go to esthetic school. I graduated from Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics in 2004. Pretty much everyone leaving school has dreams of opening their own salon and I was no different. I worked in a few salons before deciding to make my dream a reality and opened Nkd in May of 2011. I opened my little one-room business in my friend’s hair salon. I worked 6 days a week and 8-12 hour days. I hired my first part-time employee a year later. When she came to me wanting more than one day to work, I was on the hunt for a bigger location.
In March of 2015, I opened Nkd where it currently is today. Last year, after coming back from maternity leave, I expanded to the 2nd floor of our building. I went from just me, providing waxing, lashes and makeup services to 6 estheticians, 4 hair stylists, 2 receptionists and a massage therapist providing hair, skin care, threading, spray tan, massage, and microblading in addition to waxing, lashes, and makeup. If you asked me when I opened, where I thought I would be today, I never would have thought…THIS!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are so many directions I could go with this question…..
It wasn’t easy working the hours I worked and trying to put together a build out and design of the new location. As well as dealing with building inspectors and knowing what licenses I needed with the board of cosmetology. Not easy going on just me, the self-employed esthetician to being a boss. I am still implementing new rules and regulations with employees and salon functions. Learning when to delegate and not feel like I need to do everything. Remembering that I have surrounded myself with amazingly talented ladies that have strengths in areas I am weak in and knowing when I need to remove myself from a situation or project so they can make it better than I could of.
My biggest challenge, by far, work/life balance. Having my amazing daughter a year and a half ago has definitely helped with not working all the time, but I feel sooooo behind with everything! When I am at work I struggle with time with clients versus business owner duties and is available to staff. When at home, I struggle with doing work and housework over spending time with my husband and daughter. Or just having “me time”.
Nkd Waxing, Lashes & Makeup – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
When I started out, I named Nkd Waxing, Lashes & Makeup just that… because those are the services I specialized in. I was overdoing facials and nails, but as I expanded and with each new team member came more services because they specialized in them. I don’t expect anyone to do anything that they don’t enjoy because the client will notice that. So Nkd went from specializing in waxing, lashes, and makeup to adding skincare, spray tanning, threading, massage, and hair to that list. I am most proud of going from a small one-room operation to two floors of awesomeness with the best ladies around as part of my team! (Although to us, it’s our Nkd family.) What sets us apart…I feel like you can always hear someone laughing, therefore putting a smile on your face. We truly want what’s best for our clients.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
It’s not necessarily about how much is in the bank account, its about constantly adapting, growing, and positively impacting my staff, clients and community.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1 Kelley Square
Worcester, Ma 01610 - Website: www.nkdworcester.com
- Phone: 508.757.1000
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/nkd_beauty
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/nkdworcester
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/nkdworcester
Image Credit:
Mike Hendrickson, Justin Hammond
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