Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Ulstad.
Kelly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Almost 11 years ago, I moved from rural Wisconsin to New York City to pursue an education in the Fashion Industry. Shortly after moving, I started seeing an Aesthetician regularly. I had struggled with acne as a teenager and found that nothing truly worked to clear my skin. Come my early 20’s I was left with lingering texture and discoloration which caused me to hide behind makeup daily. I was ready to commit to the journey of healthy skin via a licensed professional.
My Aesthetician offered me care that the Dermatologist or mass media regarding skincare could not – personalized and professional care. Within six months of getting treatments every six weeks and following a recommended skincare routine, I no longer found myself wearing makeup and my skin was better than ever. It was a dream come true! I became very passionate about skincare and continued getting regular facial treatments for the three years I spent in NYC. I completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and accepted a job offer within corporate retail in the Minneapolis, MN area.
Once settled in, I quickly began my search for a new Aesthetician and, eventually, found my perfect match. After trying my hand in the corporate world in buying and product development areas I was left feeling unfulfilled and turned off by the extreme stress and hours surrounding the nature of the industry. Feeling like I was not making a difference in a positive way began to wear on me. I knew what I wanted to do next and that was to become an Aesthetician and to help others discover their best skin yet just as I had. I began working nights as a barista on top of my day job to save for school and after lots of hard work completed my educational hours and became a licensed Aesthetician.
My Aesthetician at the time had previously worked in the corporate world until deciding to pursue her passion of skincare. She was and still is such an inspiration to me and shortly after I received my license asked me to join her at her studio in Edina, MN as her very first employee. I was honored and so excited to work alongside and learn from her. I began treating skin with a very results-driven approach using several different advanced treatment modalities. Seeing the results of my clients brought me the joy and fulfillment that my time in the corporate world did not.
After nearly 5 years and training in several new employees as the business grew my husband and I found ourselves craving a slower pace of life in a more rural setting. We found our country home on six acres of land in River Falls, WI, and decided to leave Minneapolis. We then welcomed our son into the world and after almost 2 years of commuting, I decided to start my own business closer to home in Hudson, WI. Thus, The Skin Company was born!
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?
Although I feel extremely grateful and fortunate to have had the opportunities that I have, my journey has not been the most smooth of roads. Six years’ worth of student loans to receive my college degree to then only work in my field for a few years was a hard pill to swallow, yet did not deter me from making my career change. I can’t say I have always been the most practical person and believe that life is too short to settle. Growing up on a farm with a very creative mother and an innovative and hard-working father cultivated a bit of a free spirit in me. I saw many hardships and struggles in my adolescent years and somehow my parents overcame them all and I knew I would too. When I decided to enroll in Aesthetics school, I worked full time and picked up a part-time job as a barista in preparation.
After leaving my career, I began my studies to become an Aesthetician while working as a barista as well as in a local spa to gain experience in the industry. I found myself tired, barely scraping by financially, and biking everywhere I possibly could in an effort to avoid filling my gas tank. Nonetheless, despite a bit of fear, it all felt right. I received my Aesthetician license in June of 2016 and have never looked back. I worked three jobs until beginning my dream job full-time in Edina, MN. Leaving the studio in Edina after almost five years was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, however, it felt like the right thing to do for myself and my family. I also knew I wanted to treat skin my own way, and the best way to do that was to start my own business. I treated my first client at The Skin Company on July 1, 2021.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Skin Company is a locally owned skin and brow studio in Hudson, WI. The Skin Company strives to provide a genuine and welcoming environment while offering effective, personalized, and results-driven facial treatments to help clients reach their skincare goals. Reaching skincare and brow goals is a journey and I take pride in being there for my clients every step of the way. From age prevention to evening skin tone, to brightness and hydration, The Skin Company has you covered.
If you think you have tried everything to clear your acne, think again. Through many years of experience, I have become an expert in the treatment of acne, and the care is unparalleled. I feel confident that through treatments and a specially curated product selection that The Skin Company can give clients their clearest complexion yet. After clearing the acne, I target evening skin tone with modalities like microdermabrasion and chemical peels and reducing acne scaring using microchanneling. As an Advanced Practice Aesthetician, I am trained in a variety of advanced modalities such as microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, chemical peels, extractions, micro channeling, etc., therefore, am able to perform a wide range of treatment options for clients. With experience in eyebrow waxing/shaping and tinting, I ensure clients that I will take great care of their brows as well.
I believe that skincare should be accessible to all, therefore, you will find that prices at The Skin Company do not fall within the highest in the industry. To deliver results, regular treatments are necessary and it is important to me that my clients are able to attain a treatment schedule. My love of skin runs deep and I will very skillfully and thoughtfully curate the perfect treatment plan and product regimen for each individual client to reach their goals.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The Health and Beauty Industry is growing exponentially and I do not foresee it changing any time soon. With the rise of the self-care trend along with constant advancements in technology, the sky is the limit for the industry. I believe people have always wanted to feel and look great, however, now more than ever before. I am so excited for what is to come, although, if I was granted three wishes for the growing industry they would be as follows. I wish that with growth comes proper education. With the rise of social media, we have endless information, advertisements, and comparisons at our fingertips. This can be beneficial for the industry, but it has the potential to harm the consumer. I like to remind my clients that we are all different and beautiful and that at the end of the day seeking a licensed professional for our health and beauty needs will always bring the best results. Growing up on a farm, my love for nature and the earth is strong, and I wish that we can find more sustainable ways to deliver results to consumers. And lastly, I wish that the pressure to look a certain way will lighten. I am in the business of making my clients look and feel best in their own skin – and that’s that!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.theskincollc.com
- Instagram: @theskinco.wi
