Exploring Life & Business with Heather Davis of HD Aesthetics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Davis.

Hi Heather, 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 became an aesthetician in 2012, one year after having my son. I have always loved the beauty industry, but back then an aesthetician was not a super popular career path and I struggled to find a school in this area that even offered education for it. I finally found Paul Mitchell of Antioch, which is no longer even there. So my journey began.

I knew I wanted to be more medical-driven with my aesthetics even though that wasn’t what they focused on in aesthetics school. Once I had my license, I rented a room in a Sunless tanning salon and worked part-time at a local Medispa and Hair Salon. I learned laser techniques, along with the protocols of ZO Skin Health and more of the medical side of Aesthetics. I fell in love with it! The more I could learn the better. In 2014, I closed the room I was renting and switched to a closer-to-home Medispa, there I got certified in Microneedle and purchased my device, I learned individual lash extensions and more medical-grade approaches to skincare. Fast forward to 2020 and now working in Lebanon, Tn as a Medical Aesthetician.

Covid was in full swing and a lot of things in our industry were on hold and unsure. I decided I needed to do something different and I didn’t want to work under an owner anymore. I wanted to have a space I could control better for my clients and that’s what I did. I rented a room from my medical director in his office. I developed HD Aesthetics in June 2021. I added permanent makeup and did a year apprenticeship in Franklin, Tn to achieve my Tattoo License. From there, I got my certification in Phlebotomy, which led me to become a little too busy for my abilities. Just as I was thinking about hiring someone to help me. I received an email from a girl that was in aesthetics school in Cookeville, TN.

I hired her and trained her my ways, which lead me to hire another girl to help out. At this point, we knew we couldn’t share an office space with our Medical Director any longer. There wasn’t any more room to grow there. My search began to find a home for HD Aesthetics. I looked at several different places around the Lebanon area without any luck. Finally, we stumbled upon a building of a dear friend and client of mine! It had the potential I was dreaming of! We started the renovation in July 2022 and settled at the end of September 2022 and opened our doors the first week in October! I guess I like to push myself outside my comfort zone, because shortly after we were up and going… I upgraded HD Aesthetics to license a full salon, also.

I added on a hair stylist/PMU Tattoo Artist. We decided we were once again out of space at this point and needed to grow a little larger. I took over another part of the building to renovate. The new site opened to the public in February 2023. The additional space gave me the opportunity to add in HD Aesthetics PMU Training Academy, two more hair stylists, and another Aesthetician. I still cannot believe that I did this. It’s been an amazing journey and I am so thankful for my husband, family, and all of the amazing clients that stuck with me through all of this.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have always believed nothing good comes easy. That is completely true! But I have dealt with the fear of failure, the fear of taking risks, and the fear of the unknown. I am very much a perfectionist which is a gift and a curse. I overanalyze almost everything.

So yes, bumps along the way have been to let go and have faith that everything will work out no matter what obstacle is standing in my way. It’s a struggle, but being an entrepreneur has taught me to go big and it’s okay if it doesn’t fit into the box like I thought it was supposed to.

You can still achieve your goals even if they get rerouted and switch lanes.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a Medspa, PMU/Tattoo Studio &Training Academy, and a salon.

The Medspa offers HydraFacials, Glo2Facials, Customized Skincare Treatments, LED Light Therapy, Chemical Peels, Microneedle with and without PRP, Body Treatments, Dermaplane, Lash Lifts, Brow Lamination, Individual Lash Extensions, Full Body waxing, Event Makeup, and Spray Tans. Our product lines are ZO SkinHealth Skincare, Revision Skincare, and EltaMD Skincare. We make our handmade line of soy candles, which is Trademarked by Farrah Candle Co., We have Ambre Natural Fragrances and Ink and Alloy Jewelry.

We have several PMU/Tattoo Artists that specialize in multiple brow techniques, lip blushing, color corrections, lash liner enhancements, and Tiny Tattoos…with more things on the way!

Our PMU Training Academy offers three different courses to learn the fundamentals of permanent makeup with no experience necessary. We also offer in-house apprenticeship opportunities available to our students that would like to obtain their tattoo license when not working under a medical director.

The salon has stylists that offer Bellami tie-in hair extensions, Brazilian blowouts, over colors, Full and Partial highlights, Conditioning Treatments, Balayage, Root Touch-ups, and Haircuts.

We pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop! We have plans to add more things soon.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I believe the beauty industry is only going to become bigger and bigger over the next 5 to 10 years, I have seen more people becoming more concerned about the health of their outer appearance and skin. It’s just as important as your internal health. Social Media has brought light to self-care. It’s essential.

We need to feel good inside and out. I think that permanent makeup is going to play a big role in that also. It is becoming less scary for men and women to explore the world of PMU. The old way of thinking about it is completely evolving. We are busy balancing families, jobs, social life, gym, and household responsibilities. Having that ready to get up and go look is what everyone is looking for! I know I am!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hdaestheticstn.com
• Instagram: @hd_aesthetics_615
• Facebook: HDAesthetics615
• Other: @hld_skin_615

Image Credits
Mikasha Clark Photography