We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kate Metsker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kate below.

Kate, appreciate you joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

The most important lesson I’ve learned while being employed with prior employers is one that is more of an affirmation of a way of being that is inherent to me, and that is to run my business ethically with people and their wellbeing at the forefront of mind always. I have forever been a people person. I adore people. I genuinely want to know how you are doing. I want to hear your story, your dreams, and what lights you up. I wish for all people to lead lives where they feel seen, heard, appreciated, respected, and purposeful. As a teenager, I was naive to the reality that not all businesses are run with peoples’ wellbeing front and center. I remember being seventeen and starting a job at a call center. I was asked by management and the companies to attempt to sell services and products to people whether they needed it or not. That felt incredibly wrong to me and because of that, I usually did not meet my quotas and was known for talking to a grandmother for twenty minutes about her grandchildren, versus trying to sell her internet services that she did not want, nor need. I was willing to risk my job, as to do right by people. In 2013, I completed the esthetics program at Missouri College of Esthetics and became a licensed esthetician. My first job out of college was for a nation-wide medical spa. Initially the position I was hired for was for sales and operations, which was more than okay with me because I was trying to get my foot in the door of the medical aesthetics world. I again, was frequently asked by management and other staff members to be deceitful to clients, as well as competitors in the field— to sell a client laser hair removal, despite them not being a good candidate for laser hair removal, or to pretend that I was a client to spy on a competitor. Every single time, I respectfully declined to participate in this deceitful behavior and expressed my care for the wellbeing of clients, etc. While this occasionally got me in hot water with other employees, I never lost my position due to the rapport and mutual care and respect I had built with the clients. I remember promising myself to stay true to my inherent care for people and to never be deceitful to clients, no matter what I was bribed with or what higher ups thought or said about me. I have stayed true to that promise and always will and because of that, I have been able to build a successful, ethically correct business with my clients’ wellbeing at the forefront of everything I do. It is an honor to serve my community and a responsibility that I take very seriously. Because of how I operate my business, I’ve built relationships with my clients, as well as trust. They trust in my abilities as an esthetician and certified laser specialist because I educate them, I don’t withhold knowledge, I provide customized services to achieve results, and I am truthful and genuine. If a client is attempting to treat a skin issue such as acne and needs product recommendations, I am going to first recommend the products that I know will help them achieve their desired results based on clinical studies, product efficacy, delivery systems, etc. and I will explain why I am suggesting those esthetics grade, medical grade, or prescription strength products so that they can make a fully educated decision. However, if a client is on a tight budget, I adjust their service and product recommendations accordingly. Maybe we do one chemical peel instead of a series of three and I recommend how to safely and properly get an exfoliating routine established at home, until we can complete the remaining chemical peels. Maybe the client buys the most crucial esthetics grade product and we fill in the remainder of their skincare routine with drugstore products. I am always honest with my clients as to which services and products will help them achieve their skincare goals, as well as why I recommended those products and services. However, I am always flexible in regard to the timing of, as well as how/if those treatments and services manifest. I would rather have a client wear SPF at all versus only purchasing their SPF from me. I will also never shame a client for their skincare practices, or lack thereof. I will always be kind, loving, understanding, and supportive of my clients, while gently educating them as to how a medical grade cleanser will benefit their skin, versus bar soap and the science behind it. So, with that said, the lesson learned while employed with prior employers is to stick to my guns when it comes to ethical practices in business and with people and that I will find success in that way of being, despite what I’ve been told.

Kate, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born in Kansas City, Missouri and was raised in the Ozarks amongst the turquoise rivers, crystal caverns, majestic waterfalls, and the lush, green, rolling hills that many generations of my ancestors, including my Navive American ancestors, once lived on. I am very connected to those lands in part due to my ancestors, but in part due to the countless hours I spent throughout my life getting to deeply know those beautiful lands. While I am profoundly connected to the land, I felt that a place that was more conducive to my growth existed, and that place was Colorado. I believe that people are like flowers— different people grow better in different places and I knew that while the Ozarks had cradled me throughout my adolescence and very young adulthood, that the limitations inflicted upon my growth would be lifted in a place that I was generally more aligned with. I relocated to Colorado in 2016 and have thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine, nature, the people, the dogs, the culture, etc. ever since. I met my fiance in 2017 in Boulder, Colorado and have been in bliss ever since. My partner Drew is a fellow artist (musician), expansive thinker, and very compassionate human and I feel incredibly fortunate to do life with him. Early on in my move to Colorado, I studied Psychology and Visual Arts while continuing to practice aesthetics. I have been an artist since childhood— whether that was in relation to the visual art I made or the attire I would make out of tablecloths and old costume jewelry. I love art in all forms and I believe that life is art. We as humans are art. I also am very passionate about the field of psychology and the ability as humans, to heal ourselves and our traumas. Psychological/ trauma healing is life changing and I encourage people to do the work if they are able to. My lifelong studies of art and psychology influence my business practices on the daily. While there is so much science to treating skin, treating skin is also an art. No two clients are the same and the tools, services, products, treatments, skincare plans, etc. that I combine for each specific individual is art. How I cultivate the space in which I provide services is art. I aim for my space to feel warm, inviting, peaceful, safe, and ethereal. I do this through the light fixtures I select, the metallic paint I select that bounces light throughout the space, the organic lavender essential oils that drift into the space, the table warmer clients lay on, and so on and so forth. I want my clients to feel as if they’ve stepped into a different world— if only for an hour. I believe that I have been successful in achieving that. In regards to my psychology studies being applicable to my day to day business practices, I see and honor peoples’ humanity. I see that someone is a single mother and can never catch their breath, so I make it a priority to help them relax— mind, body, and spirit— even if it’s only for thirty minutes. I have grace for if a client is overwhelmed and arrives five minutes late to their appointment. I can hold space in a very compassionate manner for the clients that have no one to talk to and just need to get some things off of their chests. I am honored that they trust me and am grateful to be supportive. I see and honor my clients’ humanity and studying psychology has aided in that ability for sure. People frequently ask me how I got into the aesthetics world and the answer to that is a bit nuanced. As a child, I was naturally drawn to many things aesthetics. For example, as a child, if my mother offered to paint my nails red and put a small amount of lipstick on me before a family event, I was elated. ELATED. I loved it. I also loved watching her apply facial moisturizers, etc. and wanted to know what she was applying and why. It was her nightly ritual and that was one of the times where I was first introduced to the ritual of self care— the daily practice of caring for one’s skin, and therefore caring for one’s self. A little further along in my childhood, you could find me in the kitchen making a DIY facial or hair mask, usually out of avocado, honey, and oats. When I was twelve years old my maternal grandmother Bette, came to me and said that it was time to start caring for my skin. She took me to Dillard’s and purchased my first skincare regime at the Clinique counter. That is when the ritual of caring for my skin daily came into play. When I was eighteen years old, I was modeling for a cosmetology school and the cosmetologist and I were talking while she was creating an avant garde hair design for me and she mentioned that she was currently in school for aesthetics as well. I inquired more and that is when I discovered that a career that encompassed my love for aesthetics existed. I went to esthetics college shortly after and adored learning about aesthetics. From there, I graduated with several advanced education certifications, as well as a teaching position referral from my instructors, and applied for my first job at a medical spa. All throughout school, I was more drawn to the medical aesthetic side of the field— laser treatments, chemical peels, etc. Because of that draw, I decided to carve my path in the medical aesthetics field. Since graduating, I have worked for a nation-wide medical spa, sold plant-based skincare products for a global company, managed five spa locations, started working at a laser clinic under one of my closest friends and mentors, and eventually opened my own aesthetics practice located within her laser clinic. Because of this, I have multiple treatment modalities and products at my disposal, allowing for more full and customized treatment plans. Between both businesses, we specialize in treating melasma— a famously hard to treat, pigment related skin condition. Many clients find us after they haven’t been able to find success at other practices and we are very happy to be able to help them address their skincare concerns. I also specialize in treating all skin types. Different skin types tolerate different plant based acids, treatments, etc. differently and it is crucial to be educated in that, as to not induce hyperpigmentation in darker skin types. Another element that sets Glow & Soul Aesthetics apart from other skincare practices is the fact that I specialize in treating skin in humid climates, since I was raised in one, as well as in dry climates like Colorado’s. Upon moving here, I endlessly studied how skin behaves differently in drier, higher altitude climates and how to treat it accordingly. I also pride myself on educating my clients. Colorado is one of the sunniest states with one of the highest rates of skin cancer, as well as accelerated signs of aging. Many people were never told about the importance of SPF, especially at this altitude, so I am grateful for the opportunity to arm my clients with knowledge. At Glow & Soul Aesthetics, we offer many services (all customized to the client’s specific needs) including chemical peels, facials, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, and more. We also not only offer facials for the face, but the chest, back, neck, hands, and buttocks as well. We specialize in treating acne, hyperpigmentation, dehydrated skin, aging skin, and all skin types. In conjunction with these treatments, we have access to treatments offered at the laser clinic in which Glow & Soul Aesthetics is located, including Co2 Fractional skin resurfacing, broken capillary treatment, and more. I pride myself and am grateful for the ability to consistently provide customized, effective, and ethical skincare, arm my clients with knowledge, and provide a place where they feel safe, respected, and a place where they want to be.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could go back in time, I would absolutely choose the career path that I’ve chosen. I leave my aesthetics practice feeling fulfilled, excited, connected, and grateful. I am able to truly help people— sometimes with skin concerns that have impacted them for years. One thing that people don’t always realize is that skin concerns can affect people on so many levels including self esteem, work, relationships, and so on and so forth. Skin conditions such as acne can be painful as well. I’m often met with the idea that I am in the business of vanity. I disagree. Whether I am helping to heal a client’s painful cystic acne, or helping to reduce unwanted pigment, therefore cutting down someone’s morning routine significantly because they don’t feel the need to apply makeup, I am in the business of helping people. I’m helping to enhance their self worth, free up time in their schedule, etc. I get to help people every day, doing something that I love and something that lights my brain up. I also am afforded the opportunity to arm people with knowledge and therefore serve them in the long run. I have been able to get thousands of clients to start using SPF daily, which in turn, especially at high altitudes, significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer. That is important to me because I care about people. I too, am directly affected by this as well, as my father almost lost his life to malignant melanoma from one severe sunburn. I am also continually excited and intrigued by this field. It never gets old to me and that is important, especially if you’re in a career for the long haul. The other aspect is the fact that the aesthetics field is lucrative and will continue to stay that way. In 2021, the market value of said field was estimated at 13.9 billion dollars. Over ten years later, I am still exhilarated to be on the career path that I have chosen.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Other than education, there are a few things that help with success in the aesthetics field. First, I’d say grit. Passion and perseverance are crucial in getting where you’d like to be in the aesthetics field. The people that don’t achieve their dreams are often the ones that throw in the towel too early. You have to maintain that grit even on your worst days, no matter how much you’re struggling or how far you feel from your goals. I believe that delayed gratitude is important as well. Knowing that you’ll need to sacrifice now, to achieve what you’d like to in the long run is important. Reminding yourself of that is important too. Reminding yourself that your slow week of clients is temporary, or that your books will fill out with time and to keep your chin up. Coming back to grit, it’s important to be willing to put in long hours, to work on your days off, to basically do whatever you can/ have to build what you’re trying to build. I say this, as to also say how important balance is as to not cause burnout. While putting in long hours, it’s important to practice self care— to know what your limits are, to take things off of today’s plate that can wait until tomorrow, to get that extra hour of sleep, to make sure you’re eating and hydrating enough, to make sure you’re setting healthy boundaries with yourself, the needs of your business, and with your clients. The saying that you can’t pour from an empty cup is true, so maintaining that balance is crucial. Self kindness is key also. Being hard on yourself will not get you where you’re trying to go. Kindness, compassion, and appreciation for where you are in this exact moment is what will help propel your career forward. Knowing your worth is another big one. I find that many of us are plagued with imposter syndrome where there’s a disconnect between our value, knowledge, and skills and how our brain perceives those in relation to reality. That’s where psychology comes in. We have the ability to rewire or recondition harmful ways of thinking/ being and that is huge in the advancement and evolution of our careers.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glow_and_soul_aesthetics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glowandsoulaesthetics

Image Credits
Silver Mountain Photography Jay Begay