We were lucky to catch up with Kayla Bivins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kayla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

The most innovative thing I’ve done thus far would be creating my own product line. I know it sounds pretty cliché to say but this is true. To know that you created something that people have a need/want for is incredible. Having a product line was not easy by a long shot. I messed, wasted money, and most importantly time. I believe you have to find a need base product in order to know if you have something that’s worth pursing or taking further. I have those things. I create things like women’s feminine care, men’s intimate care, and body and beard oil. I know right so awesome! Whenever you’re just browsing, check us out on our Amazon storefront! Smooth Sensations Aesthetics & Recovery.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Well first and foremost my name is Kayla Bivins and I am a Licensed Esthetician located in West Palm Beach Fl. I went to Butler University and graduated with a major in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Shortly after graduating I started working for DME company that I was not too excited about but I needed to pay the bills. I was a full time athlete and didn’t have much time for a job or much else. I neglected myself sometimes not always using the best products or getting monthly facials. So its not a surprise that when I started working I noticed a few things different with my fellow peers. I worked with all women. They all dressed nice, had great skin, and also nice cars. Im fresh out of school so I was definitely impressed. This made me look at myself in a different light. I didn’t want to wear leggings and a nice shirt anymore. I wanted amazing skin, etc. So guess what I did, I started beauty school in 2018 and finished that same year. From 9-5 I would have work and 5:45-9:45 I had school for 6 months. I loved every minute of it. I am now a Women’s Black Owned Business Owner, 4 years counting.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was not seeing things from one perspective. There are many ways, many viewpoints, and perspectives that can change the way you feel, think, and interact with people. One social media, television, and even in reality people tend to bend the truth. By saying that I mean, people will always display their best self when they want something. Or maybe we instantly want recognition for something we just created or success in a field because we put in the work behind it. No. Success isn’t always built over night, but the thing is when we do witness it, it always seems to be an overnight thing. Jeff Bezos started his business in his garage and now it is one of the biggest online e-commerce company. That did not happen over night. He did not come into success in 5 years or even 10. It takes takes yet everything is so microwavable. We see and want everything quick. That is my biggest lesson that I had to unlearn. It doesn’t happen overnight.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Shortly after graduating I was offered a job at a huge franchise company all over the world. I was one of the only black estheticians on staff. I did well and took my job seriously. Ive made friendships and even got a bunch of 5 star reviews before I was terminated due to “not fitting into the culture”. I was told I have an attitude, told staff was afraid of me, and that I made the manager feel uncomfortable. Whats crazy is 3 days before I was fired I gotten my 5th 5 star review in 2 months, which is rare for that company. I got really depressed and couldn’t find much work. After about 2 jobs and a year a half later, I started my own business and now I am flourishing! Thank you God for grace!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: smoothsensationsaesthetics
• Facebook: smoothsensationsllc

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Smooth Sensations Aesthetics & Recovery