Daily Inspiration: Meet Kristina Hoertner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Hoertner

Kristina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Yes! Well, I’ve wanted to be an esthetician since I was 16 years old. I was a teenager with very bad skin and when my mom took me to the dermatologist, they gave me pills that made me sick so they suggested I see an esthetician. I remember thinking, I don’t even know what that is but I hope they can help! I’m happy to say that she and I are still in contact to this day! She’s such an inspiration to me! She really educated me on skincare, and treatments and I remember thinking “wow, I want to help people like this and give them this kind of confidence someday” but fast forward to my high school graduation and I decided to go to college like all my friends and pursue a bachelors degree. Life took me down several other career paths but esthetics was always in the back of my mind.

Shortly after the pandemic hit I was laid off and I was back in therapy trying to figure out my next steps. My therapist asked me to go home and brainstorm any and all jobs I might want to do because I was now able to pivot in any direction I wanted to. And when we met again she said that the way that my face lit up when I started talking about being an esthetician, she said she didn’t even need to hear what was on the rest of my list. She said that that was what I needed to pursue. And so I did! In the middle of a global pandemic at 30 years old, I started a whole new path and it was the best thing I could have done.

I went to Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) and I took the night program which is a year long. The waitlist is very long so I actually couldn’t begin my program until January of 2021, which was excruciating but I bought my textbooks and began studying them while I waited for school to start. I just knew this was what I was meant to be doing! When school finally started I worked during the day as a receptionist at European Wax Center and then went to school Monday – Thursday from 3:30 – 9. It was a tough schedule/season but I was honestly so happy. When I was in high school and college I struggled, tests and learning was hard for me at times but not with this. I enjoyed every minute of it (except for the all white scrubs)

While I was in school I met my former employer and actually became a client at her studio called Browology Waxing Studio. She and I eventually developed a friendship and while I was still in school she offered me a job! I was absolutely thrilled. Once I graduated and passed my exams I worked at Browology full time for 3 years, after 2 years I was promoted to the manager of the salon. Through my time there I was really able to hone my skills, gain some confidence and really connect with my incredible clients. Which they honestly all feel like friends that I get to hang out with once a month haha

2024 was a big year of growth and change for me. Towards the end of the year, the opportunity to open up my own space presented itself to me and I think it was the universe saying “hey, you’re ready for this” and so Skinfluence was born! I work in the LUX Salon Suites in Madison and I’m so so happy!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think one thing most (I don’t want to speak for all) estheticians can agree on is that school doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the real world. They teach you the basics, what you need to know to pass your boards and then send you on your way. The real stuff comes from the hands on learning! And when you’re dealing with peoples brows and Brazilians, it can be intimidating for sure! I remember learning how to do them being supervised and I still remember the day that I did them completely on my own. It can be challenging just because everyone has their own technique they use and there are different ways you approach different hair lengths and growths and body types. Lots of things that you sort of don’t know until you’re just thrown into it. Now here I am 3 years later and there isn’t a Brazilian or a brow that Im afraid of! But I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve had some learning experiences along the way and all you can do is your best to make the client feel at ease, and figure out how you’re going to do things different next time. It takes time and patience but practice practice practice!!

I had a client when I first began and I won’t even lie to you, it was not my best Brazilian work. We both knew it, I was getting frustrated with myself and she was getting uncomfortable. I didn’t even charge her for the service that’s how embarrassed I was. But she and I connected so much that she continued to come see me for her brow waxes and that was that! I really learned a lot from that service and I honestly improved my technique moving forward! Then about a year later she booked me for a Brazilian wax! I was honestly shocked and I told her so when she came in haha. She said she had a terrible experience somewhere else and wanted to try me again, and like I said, I really felt like I had learned from our experience and improved from it and afterwards she said that it was one of the most comfortable Brazilian experiences she’d ever had! To this day she’s still a client and I adore her! I felt SUCH redemption!!!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Licensed Esthetician, and I specialize in waxing, brows, lashes, and facials. Brow Laminations, brow waxing and Brazilian waxes are probably my top 3 most popular services! I’m probably known for a killer brow lamination, talking you through your Brazilian wax and trying to make it as comfortable as possible and being friends with my clients. which can sometimes maybe be controversial in the industry but it’s what I’m most proud of. I get invited to birthday parties and we go to concerts together! I love my girls and I get invested in all the tea haha

I think that’s what sets me apart from others, I really love to connect with my clients, to talk about everything! I’m an open book, I’ve laughed with my clients, I’ve celebrated their engagements and job promotions, I’ve also cried with them, when I was going through my divorce so many of my clients stopped by just to bring me flowers or coffee and give me a hug. It meant so much to me it’s bringing a tear to my eye even as I write this!

Another thing I think sets me apart is that I really like to involve my client in the service, I feel like we’ve all had a bad experience where we get our brows done and they takes too much off or the tint is waaayyy darker than we were expecting and we go home and hate it. That’s something I never want anyone to feel in my room. I’m a big check-er in-er I always say. It’s your face, I want us to work together! It’s always possible for me to take off a little bit more or add on a little bit more color! I just want you to love whatever service you’re getting and feel like you’re getting your moneys worth.

It’s also that listening and connection that I think makes them feel comfortable with me and when you’re comfortable with your esthetician, maybe your Brazilian doesn’t seem so bad, or maybe you feel like you can be more vocal about your brow tint color. I WANT you to tell me what you want, I’m here to give you the results you’re looking for so I hope I can facilitate a space of care where people can feel comfortable enough to do that!

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First things first – my clients. I cannot give a bigger shoutout to them. I love you I love you I love you. Without them I don’t get to do what I do! Nashville is a big city and it’s such an honor that when they think of someone to do their waxing or facials they think of me!!

Next up my family, my support system and cheerleaders!! They have been encouraging me on this journey since day 1, when I told them at 30 I wanted to make a total career change, they totally supported me as they always have with everything.

My friends – where would I be without them? I don’t want to find out!! They came to my school and let me practice on them. If we were having bachelor viewing parties they let me bring over my cleanser and practice facial cleansing on then, they let me practice waxing their legs in their kitchens. My career is what it is because of them and I’m forever grateful for it!!

To Lane, the owner of Browology Waxing Studio – she saw potential in me while I was in school and offered me a job when I had zero experience!! without her I wouldn’t be where I am today and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity and the bond we share!

And lastly I want to thank Tara Schaffer, the owner of Schaffer Skin, she is where my love of this industry began and she has been a role model to me for many years!! I’m so glad that the dermatologist sent me to you all those years ago!!

Pricing:

• Brow Wax – $25
• Brow Wax & Tint – $50
• First Time Brazilian – $85, Returning Brazilian $75
• Brow Lamination $80, With Tint $95
• Custom Facial $110

Contact Info:

• Website: https://skinfluencenashville.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinfluence.nashville/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573449950449
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristina_hoertner