Meet Barbara Mahaffey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Mahaffey.

Hi Barbara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I learned at an early age that I only had myself to count on. I knew that the beauty industry was my destination. Lots of circumstances happened to me at the start of my journey, but I did not let that stop me. When I opened my first salon in Junction City, Kansas I was really living on a prayer, but I did not know any different. I just knew that I needed for myself and my very young daughters to do it what I was doing. I opened up my salon and spa in 2000. I was at my 1st location for a few months when I realized that a location is a very important aspect to gaining clients so in late 2001, I moved about ten blocks down the street to a section of Junction City that was bustling with traffic. My clientele started growing and soon, I had employees. I added and lighted 18″ tall sign out in front of my building that caught a lot of attention. I had the location and a nice sign I thought this is great and it was.

At this point, I had the business ten years and as time went on, I realized that there was more that I still needed. I had dreams of moving to a bigger city where I could offer more advanced services. I sold my salon and spa and the new owner kept it in business an additional nine years which I was very proud of. I moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 2009. I didn’t think I wanted my own business again and pursued working for other business owners. This actually gave me time to get additional schooling under my belt which was great. Being more confident and just believing in all the new knowledge I was acquiring, though hard at times all the way around, actually led me to where I am today. I opened my OWN Spa business without the help of anyone for the second time because this time I was not unsure. I had done this before and I was stronger now I told myself. In this new time of opening my business, I wanted natural treatments and products this time. I had learned that there are very active natural products and I wanted to share that with everyone!

I also found new treatments that lift and tighten skin with ultrasound. I tried it on myself and I believe in it 100% with the proof of all my thrilled and happy clients. I am the OG of bringing the Hifu to the Kansas City area. This treatment keeps me very busy in my spa. There are a few other spas and med spas that have adopted my idea and added he Hifu to their service menu now also. I offer a lot of natural option full-body services that complement the Hifu and I love doing them. There is not a better feeling than seeing my client come back for a two months photo check and seeing them 20 years younger looking walking through my door. Leaving my first salon that I had built for ten years was very hard but I have grown into what I truly believe in. It’s a wonderful feeling to be there for others and help them have more confidence and feel better about themselves and they trust me 100%. I couldn’t have asked for more in my business and where it has gone and where it will go! You have to always keep moving forward if it is something you truly feel and believe in.

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?
I was homeless after high school and never had the support of a family. So I learned at an early age that I had to believe in myself. You have to take it one day at a time and never give up. I did gain a ton of supportive clients here in Kansas City and they are truly amazing women and that has always what has given me the strength and I just drew from that and kept going.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Licensed Esthetician in Kansas and Missouri. I teach my clients how to naturally care for their skin. The skin is the largest organ and it thrills me that I can help them to naturally care for it. I love to educate my clients and they tell me they appreciate it. I also am constantly educating myself with new products or modalities or techniques. I break it down to them so they can understand what to do for themselves and I make sure they understand what their customized treatment plan will be, what they will go through and how to get through it. I just started a blog on my website for caring for your skin and what products to use. I plan on expanding on this and look forward to getting that done.

I specialize in the Hifu skin lifting and tightening treatment. It builds natural collagen to do this lifting and tightening. I have had this on my service list for two years and it’s very popular. I did a lot of research for treatments other than botox and filler for lifting the skin and found that men with prostate cancer are treated with Hifu (high intense focused ultrasound). The doctors found the treatment on them was lifting and tightening their skin! All natural couldn’t be better for me. So because of all my client’s support and their amazing reviews of me and the Hifu  I am being known for this now and I love it so much.

I am so proud that I did not give up on myself and I found something for others to look and feel better, I provide these treatments for men as well as women. I am not being cheesy but it is truly amazing to me. I just love helping others.

I don’t know if it sets me apart but if I have to say anything, I would say I strive to be honest, caring, and be educated about what I have to offer my clients and my industry by putting others first and enjoying everything about the industry. I strive to be around like-minded individuals because I love the inspiration and I hope I can be inspiring to everyone.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
That we do have the capabilities to do far more than we thought and we can adjust to the new reality quite well. It is our responsibility as humans to have a response that will better us in the present while taking TIME to gain more perspective on the past and the future.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.theskinlabkc.com
• Instagram: @theskinlabkc

Image Credits
The Skin Lab