Inspiring Conversations with Gina Holmberg of Welwythn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Holmberg

Hi Gina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been a makeup artist for 3 decades! I began my career in Chicago where I am from, and then moved to Los Angeles where I worked for 5 years before relocating to Kansas City. I have worked in the production world for many years as well as doing makeup for weddings, private clients and special events. When I became a mom 16 years ago, our lives took a major turn in so many ways! Both of my kiddos came in to the world with some health challenges, which prompted me to turn to the holistic world of healing, and have never turned back. It was during this time that I became aware of the toxins in the products that we were using every day, as well as the products I had been using for so many years as a makeup artist. I became fiercely passionate not only about learning as much as I could, but also sharing this information with friends, family and clients. After a few years of implementing an entire new way of living, I knew that I wanted to open a place in Kansas City that carried the brands of wellness and beauty that I had discovered and fallen in love with. I opened my first store, Within Apothecary in 2017 in the Crossroads, and after two years, we rebranded to Welwythn and moved to Prairie Village, where we have been since 2019.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth sailing! Hardly! Several months after relocating, the shut down happened. That season alone provided so many challenges and hardships, but because this was happening on a global scale, I felt like we were all “in this together”. There were so many businesses that had hardships on such an insane level, it helped me to put things in perspective. The years after were a bit of a roller coaster. While things were opening up again, clients were still cautious. Masks were still a part of life for quite some time, which really put a damper on makeup sales—I mean, who is wearing lipstick while wearing a mask?
Fast forward to the summer of 2023, the season where everything came crashing down. Our shop flooded due to a pretty wild storm. The remediation process was a complete nightmare, and I was very close to throwing in the towel pardon the pun. After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, we decided to keep going, only to find out that our neighbor shop that we were essentially connected to decided to close their doors.
Needless to say, it was quite a challenging year, but with the support of my amazing team, and our incredible clients we made it through.

We’ve been impressed with Welwythn, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Welwythn is a beauty and wellness space in Prairie Village Kansas. We specialize in carrying brands that are thoughtful in how they formulate-not only leaving out harmful ingredients that you typically find in conventional beauty products, but thoughtful in how they source, produce and package. We are known to carry the best of the best when it comes to thoughtful beauty and wellness, but I think what sets us apart is our customer service and the education that we provide.
I have worked in retail since I was 15 years old, and I know how intimidating it can feel to walk in to a specialty boutique-especially in the beauty space. We aim to dismantle that intimidation the moment you walk in the space. I cannot tell you how many times we hear just how peaceful clients find the store to be, and while we do strive to create that through the senses, with the music we choose to play, and the scent from the non-toxic candles that we burn, I truly think it’s peaceful because there is zero pressure coming from our team. We are thrilled that you found us, thrilled that you are there, and know you will fall in love with something.
We are also known for our makeup applications. Whether it’s for a special occasion, family photos, or you’re just looking to refresh your routine, we have a few artists on our team that you can book an appointment with.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Vulnerability comes to mind. I think from the beginning, I have always been open to share my family’s healing journey as well as provide a listening ear for those clients who are going through theirs. When I say I am constantly researching, learning, and expanding my knowledge when it comes to health and well being, I really am. I love to share that information with others and help them connect the dots if I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Welwythn.com
• Instagram: Welwythn
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/welwythn