Community Highlights: Meet Hannah Ellis of Hannah Ellis Skincare

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Ellis. 

Hi Hannah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to Nashville in 2012 for what I thought would be a *quick* internship at a music publishing company. I found myself still here years later, still working in publishing and feeling really burnt out and honestly a little stuck. I dreamt of finding a job where I felt I could make a difference and where I could connect with people on a deeper level but I was so far into the music industry thing I really didn’t see a way out. Pretty par for the course the stress of this led to a relentless breakout of cystic acne around my chin and jawline that turned into a year or two of me searching the highs and lows of the internet, appointments with dermatologists, buying any product that claimed to be a miracle overnight success and consistently coming up disappointed. My skin was angry, painful, and needed help but everywhere I turned I was spending money, not understanding what was going on with my skin, and not ever seeing results. I did find that the only sense of control I found through this process was trying to dig deeper into the “why” being what was going on with my skin. I became a bit of a nerd trying to understand my condition since no one else would spend the time to explain it to me I figured I would learn it myself! 

One year for a birthday, I thought I would try getting a facial as a cute self-care moment, I had no idea that this appointment would come with a thorough consultation from an aesthetician and an hour and a half of expert care and guidance?! To be quite honest, I thought facials were for the rich and famous and not for just anyone who needs help with their skin. I was amazed and full of passion about finally having some real solutions and better yet, I walked out knowing I had found exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I instantly knew this career was for me. 

Within months I had enrolled in an aesthetics technology program and I never looked back. I knew Nashville needed a skincare center that focuses on highly educating their clients so they can regain their autonomy over healing their skin, providing results-driven services all with a nurturing approach filled with compassion and empathy for every skincare condition big and small. I set out to do just that, I spent a few years gaining experience as a licensed aesthetician, taking any and all advanced education I could find, and finally opened Hannah Ellis Skincare at the beginning of 2021. 

A few months after I opened, I was overwhelmed with how many clients I had accumulated, and honestly, I was running out of hours and days in the week to take them on myself so I hired my first employee, Angela Cunningham. She has quickly become a true asset to HES and is now our Lead Licensed Aesthetician. She fully embodies my vision as a science-driven, results-oriented expert with a true passion for inclusivity and care. I also am bringing on my second employee, Brooke Alder, as we head into our expansion in the next month! I’ve been working on our newest location’s build-out, in the heart of East Nashville’s Riverside Village. Our new space will finally be Hannah Ellis Skincare’s more permanent treatment center to take care of others and excel at our craft, a home for healing skin! 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As an up-and-coming aesthetician, I really felt like I was on a roll, I loved my job, my clientele was building and I was so excited to keep growing and learning right up until Covid-19 shut everything down. I had so much going for me and so much to look forward to and I could have never expected that I would be shut down and unable to see clients at all for 3-4 months, in fact, I still remember my last day in that treatment room where I was filled with fear just being in the same room with a client. The safe space I created for my clients no longer felt safe for either of us and I knew it was time to take a pause. I’m sure this story is the same for a lot of small business owners, what we thought would be 2ish weeks turned into 3, 4, 6, 12 and during that time I genuinely tried my hardest. I switched to virtual consultations, I tried to educate through my Instagram account as best as I could, as much as I could. I tried desperately to not think of this time as all of my momentum potentially coming to a screeching halt, I refused to believe that. 

When close contact businesses were allowed to re-open, to be honest, I was extremely hesitant. I decided to take an extra month and I followed up with every friend and colleague I could in order to hear their sanitation protocols, their safety, and PPP protocols. I collected as much information as I could and finally returned to the treatment room in July with a LOT of anxiety and also feeling a bit behind since others had gone back to work much sooner but I followed the protocols, still do to this day, and before I knew it, I was building again. 

I had always heard that this industry is recession-proof, but it is most certainly not “global health crisis-proof” however, I do know that a lot of us re-evaluated our lives during this time. A lot of us were isolated, scared and this led to a general desire to take care of ourselves and each other better. My biggest takeaway and hope is that the core of Hannah Ellis Skincare never forgets that we are a safe space for all, a space for connection and for getting through challenges of all kinds, together. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Hannah Ellis Skincare?
I empower my clients to achieve the healthiest skin of their life. I believe healthy skin is juicy and vibrant, it bounces and radiates light and it strong enough to protect you from environmental damage, topical irritants, and anything else the world can throw your way. 

As a Paramedical Aesthetician, my approach to skin starts internally and works its way to the surface by changing the way your skin functions at a cellular level. Instead of just treating your skin at the surface level I can help address and treat any skin condition from the inside out. I specialize in acne, melasma, and pigmentation issues, rosacea, aging concerns like wrinkles and sagging skin, and so much more, all with a holistic approach through skin changing treatments, custom complexion home care routines, and detailed education my clients can’t find anywhere else. 

If you are ready to invest in your skin, scheduling a consultation with one of our aestheticians is the place to start! Whether you have skin concerns from acne, aging, rosacea, dryness, pigmentation, or even just general skin health and maintenance questions we are able to provide expert guidance. 

A Consultation is for anyone who is ready to commit to a treatment plan and get on a home care routine completely customized to your own lifestyle and skin condition. We will go over any questions you may have as well your medical history, dietary intake, hormonal imbalances, stress levels and so much more in order to properly diagnose and begin to retrain your skin and get you glowing. 

My treatment room is a self-care safe space for all people and all backgrounds and it is my dream that my clients feel loved and nurtured every time they visit my treatment room. 

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Definitely being a part of Young People’s Ballet Theater in Flint, MI. Ballet was such an integral part of my childhood as music and movement was such a pure and beautiful way to learn to express myself. It came naturally but I also loved the challenge of learning the steps, technique, timing, and telling a story all at once! 

Pricing:

• Consultation – $125
• Advanced Skin Revision – $215
• Custom Corrective Peels – $175-$355
• Custom Facial – $150-175
• Reconstructing Facelift Massage – $250

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: hannahellisskincare.com
• Instagram: @thenashvilleaesthetician

Image Credits
Kristen Miller