Exploring Life & Business with Katerina Summers of FACE SŪBLIME

And my mom had shared with me some stores form the part, which I was young and couldn’t remember it all, she said that every time after a long, stressful day, when she would come back “home”, (we were living in 100 sq. ft. under staircase space, and sleeping all in one space with me and my sister), she said I would brush her hair with my little fingers and help her fall asleep.

I was influenced with how much Hong Kongnese women were into taking good care of their skin, the beauty aspect of it, the drinking water, hydrating their skin, applying sunscreen, drinking plenty of water (that’s how I learn to always carry a bottle of water with me) and my mom recognizing that I was so interested in all of the aspects at of wellness, recommended maybe looking into becoming an esthetician, she heard about this well-known throughout Asia, French Academy in Hong Kong, called Frédérique Academy, and thought we should tour the facility.

August of 2004 we went to ask questions and tour in the campus. And we found out that they are accepting new student for their next class in September and also that I was actually able to afford it, since when I was still at school I was already working, my first job was helping to stick expirations dates onto candy boxes when I was 13-15 years old, and then I worked at a restaurant from when I was 15 to 17 years old, and my mom saved the money for me, so I was able to pay for this school. I always was eager to be independent and try and help my mom as much as I could, for all that she has gone through.

In September of 2004, I started my course in Esthetics then soon after joined another course for Holistic Body Massage, I was at the top of my class. Again we had 9 students and all of us were from different countries, Bridget from Switzerland, Valerie from Philippines, Lisa from UK, and more.

I remember when the time came to prepare the case studies for out final examination step and I didn’t have a computer or printer, and it was also hard for me to learn the English terminology in anatomy and to also write it, but I was studying days and nights, had posters all over the apartment, but when I had to write my case studies, our apartment neighbors learned that I need some help, they let me borrow their computer and printer, which was such a relief, as writing by hands dozens of papers was not an easy task, when I had to get 5 case studies each for both courses.

I graduated with 6 Diplomas and was invited to join three months internship at a UK-based flagman ship Spa in Hong Kong by Elemis. And that’s how it all started!

I was hired, and I was only 19 years of age!!!! I couldn’t be prouder of myself. I was so excited to have the opportunity to work in such a beautiful place, I started as their grand opening team, we went through 9 full weeks of training by ESPA, it was one of the most memorable training experiences I have yet attended and it inspired me to want to become a great Trainer /Educator myself. For that, I knew I had to gain experience.

So in 3 years’ time, I challenged myself to apply to Four Seasons Hotel Spa in Hong Kong, apparently, I was known for my work ethic and while working at the ESPA I was featured in ELLE travel magazine and South China Morning Post, so the Spa Director knew who I was when I applied, and I worked with the Four Seasons Hotel Spa for 3 years, while there I had an opportunity to travel for work and leisure and took dozens of courses in massage, such as Thai massage in Bangkok Thailand, TuiNa in Shanghai, Guasha, and Cupping in Hong Kong. Ear and Foot reflexology in Singapore while going through Management training. I also learned Lomi Lomi massage, pre, and post-natal, hot stones, Shiro Dara, Indian Head massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy, and essential oil blending, all to become a better educator.

Which I did, I was recruited to work for Elemis UK as their training manager and soon promoted to Regional Training manager, which gave me an opportunity to travel with work, meet great talents, and owners, open new projects, write articles for beauty pages in European magazines, then I worked with Babor Aahen Germany, Comfort Zone, Parma Italy, then while I was celebrating my moms birthday in Istanbul Turkey, I was recruited to open a new spa with the Four Seasons Hotel in Moscow, Russia, a stunning 32,000 sq. ft. spa in a heart of the city and now I am here sharing my experience, knowledge, and passion at my newly open FACE SŪBLIME suite.

I am the first person in our family to travel as much, to speak fluent in multiple languages, to have received a foreign higher education, and to open a small business with plans to grow. And as of 04/21/2023 I am also an American Citizen, couldn’t be more prouder.

Sometimes when I share some of my experiences I cannot believe that first, it has already been 18 years and counting and that it all happens to me, but determination and hard work, make impossible dreams to come into reality.