We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrea Kinkela-cook a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Andrea , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.

When I first started in this career, I wasn’t really taught how to have a proper consult. I THOUGHT I knew what to ask and say, I didn’t completely and learned a huge lesson that I carry with me at every single consult now

When a woman booked microblading with me, ignorantly I assumed she knew what she was booking. While I went on to explain the process and the healing (over explaining the boldness of them the first week as we know as brow shock) there are a quite a few things I missed and the outcome wasn’t what the client desired and I was crushed!

I never thought to ask if she knew exactly what she booked, if she had pictures of brows she likes, if she could show me pictures of her with her makeup brows or even ANY type of visual to ensure I would deliver what she wanted. As a result, microblading wasn’t what she envisioned. Unfortunately she showed me a picture after and what she truly wanted was a powder brow, a totally separate service

She was so upset, rightfully so, because I didn’t do my job to the fullest. I assumed she knew what she was asking for and she didn’t. I didn’t do a proper consult. This lead to doing free emergency removal and me refunding her fully. Even after all of that, she was still not happy and I couldn’t have felt more awful.

It’s a feeling I dislike but also want to remember to ensure I don’t make the same mistake again! While I’m sure I’ll run into clients not being always happy or always pleasant, I hope to avoid a situation like this again! The perfectionist in me can’t handle it

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Before I entered this field, I was a healthcare executive for 20 years, with majority of it spent on patient experience and quality. I truly LOVED it, but along with the birth of my daughter and covid, I knew I couldn’t return to the never ending days and demands. I needed more flexibility and had to step down.

I debated for years on becoming a PMU artist. But what really changed gears was when I had my own brows done. That was it from that moment on. It’s still amazing to me the difference that can be made, but not only on the outside physically, but emotionally as well. Self love and confidence boosted is beyond rewarding for me.

As I trained and trained and practiced and still practice (and train, it doesn’t end and it shouldn’t), I found myself explanding into more. The paramedical tattoo field caught me and I am now able to offer more services with it

Originally I started this all with the focus on brows, then to lips, then to lash line (not eyeliner). I saw how much it helped women feel good again. Women with cancer who lost hair and color, or elderly who were coming with sparse brows and not recognizing themselves in the mirror. From that, I knew I wanted to do more. Enter paramedical tattoos

As of now, I’m trained in inkless stretch mark revisions and soon inkless scar and acne scar revisions as well.

Why these? First, it’s permanent and doesn’t involve an actual tattoo. Second, it’s change they can see right away. Third, these are things that make people feel self conscious and unhappy in their own skin. The fact that I can change that for them fills my heart.

It’s not just beauty and make up to me. It’s making a positive difference to people who need it most and appreciate it as well

Coming to me means achieving a natural look, individual preferences (not what I think or want. It’s your body/face), and honestly a friend at the end of the day who wants nothing more than to make you happier than when you originally walked through my doors. It’s all about you! And together we work through what is best, whether it’s shape of the brows or color of the lips, or how many sessions we may need to get your stretch marks to a level that you feel confident with.

Everyone has their own style and preference and I do my best to work with that while guiding you along the way

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

As of date, it’s word of mouth. Yes, I post on Instagram and TikTok, but truthfully I’m not great at it. I have no idea how algorithms work and what’s trending. But what I do know is people want to see before and after, and I’m happy to provide.

Also, collaborating has been helpful. It’s grown my following a bit and I’ve had people become champions for me. Small businesses supporting each other.

Maybe one day I’ll figure out social media ;) open to tips haha

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

While I don’t have a team currently, I did for many many years. The key to keeping high morale and retention is to include them! Get their opinions on changes, services, training they may want. Support their needs. And if you can’t (which we can’t ALWAYS) be sure to explain why and maybe they can help you find a way down the road.

Everyone wants to feel included. If you can do that, you’ll be successful with your team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Andreacookomu.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: Andrea_cook_pmu
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553382825279&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Yelp: Andrea Cook – BeautyHaven
• Other: Google: Andrea Cook – BeautyHaven
  TikTok: beautyhavenakc

Image Credits

None. All by me