Today we’d like to introduce you to Naomi Kurata.
Hi Naomi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Starting in middle school, I struggled with inflamed acne that would come and go randomly. My parents thought it would be a temporary condition that I would grow out of once I became an adult, but it followed me into adulthood. It was painful not only physically but also emotionally and it wrecked my self-confidence.
I remember during my high school years, I’d ask my mom to take me to Walgreens most weekends to look at and try new skincare products in hopes that I could find something to make my acne go away. I also tried different facials at local spas, hoping they would help clear my skin. Unfortunately, I would often leave with irritated skin, only to experience even more breakouts a few days later.
Eventually, I resorted to going to a dermatologist. I remember during my visit, the dermatologist looked at my skin for 5 seconds then prescribed me an antibiotic. My total appointment with the derm probably lasted for less than 5 minutes which I now know is a pretty typical experience. Needless to say, I left feeling disappointed. Even at a young age I knew taking antibiotics was not a sustainable way to treat acne. I was concerned about the side effects and developing antibiotic resistance. I took the medication, but once I stopped taking them the acne would come right back.
Then I started to notice something interesting. Every year when I would go back to visit my family in Japan, my skin would clear up. I couldn’t figure out if it was the diet, the lifestyle, the environment, or the Japanese skincare products I was using. When I came back to the U.S., I asked my doctor if there was any correlation between diet and acne, and she said no, but I knew in my gut she was wrong. I became determined to figure out why I would break out in the U.S., but clear up when I’d go back to Japan.
That curiosity ultimately changed the direction of my life. In the summer of 2015, I decided to become a Licensed Esthetician with the goal of specializing in acne to clear my own skin and also help others who were struggling with the same things I had experienced.
I graduated, passed my licensing exam, and received my license in November 2017. I immediately started looking for opportunities at med spas and day spas, but I wasn’t having much luck. I eventually took a job at Ulta, but after a few months, I found that I did not agree with their treatment methods and a corporate environment wasn’t for me. So, I decided to take a leap and open my own skincare clinic.
What started from my own frustration and a desire to understand my skin has now grown into something much bigger. This is my eighth year in business, and today we have a full clientele, a team of employees, and our own skincare line specifically formulated for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Looking back, what started as my biggest insecurity ended up becoming the reason I found my purpose. I went from being the person desperately searching for something that would help my skin to building a business around helping other people feel confident in theirs.
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?
Absolutely not! There have definitely been challenges and learning curves along the way.
When I first started my business, I was subleasing a room part-time from a massage therapist. I was renting the room two days a week for $250 a month, which was really all I could afford at the time because I didn’t have many clients yet. Within a few months, I started to get busier, and the woman I was subleasing from decided to double my rent, even though I was still only using the room two days a week. I couldn’t afford to stay, so I had to leave. I remember thinking, “Is this the end of my dream?” Thankfully, I found another massage therapist who was willing to rent me a room part-time at a price I could afford.
Then COVID happened, which was another major challenge. During the shutdown, I couldn’t work at all, and I thought I was going to have to give up on my business and figure out a different career path. Even after businesses were allowed to reopen, people were understandably hesitant to come back for treatments because my work involves being so close to people’s faces and touching their skin. It stayed slow for about 6 months after shelter-in-place was lifted and I barely scraped by.
Another challenge I’ve learned to navigate is managing expectations with my clients. Not everyone’s skin responds the same way, and sometimes people come in expecting me to do all the work for them. But the reality is that I can provide the treatments, knowledge, and guidance, but their daily habits, skincare routine, diet, lifestyle, and consistency all play a bigger role in their results. Learning how to communicate that and help clients understand that we’re partners in the process has been an important part of growing as a business owner.
There have definitely been plenty of moments when I thought I was failing, but I’ve adapted as things changed and made it through. I’ve learned not to panic when we have a slower month, when a client’s results take longer than expected, or when things don’t go exactly as planned. Running a business has taught me that there will always be ups and downs, and one difficult season doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mikura Skincare?
Mikura is a medi-holistic spa specializing in acne and holistic skincare. What makes us different is that we don’t just look at the skin, we look at the person as a whole. Unlike a traditional skincare approach that may focus primarily on treating the symptoms, we take a deep dive into your diet, lifestyle, daily habits, and skincare routine to better understand what may be contributing to your skin concerns and create a personalized approach from there.
We also developed our own holistic skincare line, which is designed to effectively clear and improve the health of the skin without relying on harsh ingredients.
What I’m most proud of is the number of people we’ve been able to help. We’ve now helped hundreds of clients achieve radiant and healthy skin, but more importantly, regain the confidence that they had lost. Seeing that transformation is incredibly rewarding and is really the reason I continue to do what I do.
We offer acne treatments, personalized skin consultations, holistic facials, laser and microneedling, as well as our own skincare products and a custom curated line from other brands. We also offer virtual skincare consultations, so you don’t have to live nearby to work with us.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by whether I’ve been able to help someone. Most people who come to see us are struggling with their appearance in some way, whether it’s due to acne, scarring, hyperpigmentation, or something else. I know firsthand how much looking in the mirror and not liking what you see can affect your confidence and even impact other areas of your life. So for me, success isn’t just about how many clients we have or how much the business grows. If I’ve helped someone feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin, then I’ve succeeded.
Pricing:
- Skin consultations are $75
- Facials start at $165
- Laser treatments start at $250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mikuraskincare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikuraskincare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikuraskincare
