In 2006, I entered the aesthetics industry with a simple plan: to offer special occasion makeup alongside hairstylist extraordinaire, Natalie Trease, while attending college.

She handed me her business card and the next day I had an interview at her medspa. I quickly advanced into a leadership role as both an aesthetician and laser technician— the intersection of artistry, clinical precision and compassionate care. Inspired by this path, I also changed my college major to gain a deeper understanding of the business side of the industry and how to build something meaningful with it.

After earning my degree from Oklahoma State University, I launched my career at a prestigious spa in Chicago, where I split my time between the treatment rooms and the buying and visual merchandising team.

As a buyer, I was responsible for trend research, inventory selection, supplier negotiations, budget management, and maximizing profits by curating niche products that resonated with our clientele. Once new products arrived, I translated strategy into visuals—creating merchandising renderings that became displays, designed to be both visually striking and psychologically appealing.