Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaityana Villines.
Hi Kaityana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been in the beauty industry for over 20 years, starting back at the old Mario Tricoci on the Plaza. It was the career change I didn’t know I needed, getting me out of a corporate sales job and into a career that has never really felt like work. I genuinely love what I do. Every day, I get to spend time with some of the most interesting, and inspiring women, and that’s one of my favorite parts of this industry.
In 2016, I took the leap and started working for myself. While that was a huge step, owning my own beauty shop was always the dream. Last fall, I officially rebranded and took over my salon, creating Kaityana Collective Salon & Suites. It was a major milestone for me and something I had been working toward for years.
I love the space we’re creating. Being surrounded by strong, independent women who are building businesses of their own is incredibly inspiring. There’s something special about watching women support each other while pursuing their passions and goals.
I’m proud of what we’ve built so far and excited for what the future holds. It hasn’t always been easy, but seeing this dream come to life has made every challenge worth it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. COVID was a very difficult time. I think the beauty industry was hit especially hard, and like many small business owners, I felt that impact firsthand.
I had clients who were understandably concerned about being in close contact with others, and many of my clients lost their jobs or faced financial uncertainty, making services like lashes and brows less of a priority. Watching appointments disappear and seeing my books not fill up was scary.
There were definitely moments when I wasn’t sure what the future would look like, but I kept going and focused on taking care of my clients and my business the best I could.
Looking back, making it through that time makes me even more proud of where I am today. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and perseverance, and I believe it made me a stronger business owner.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a licensed esthetician with over 15 years of experience, and I specialize in lashes, brows, and permanent makeup.
I’m probably best known for creating natural-looking results (and being quick yet thorough). My goal has always been to enhance someone’s features, not make them look like someone else.
I also own Kaityana Collective Salon & Suites, a salon home to independent beauty professionals. In addition to working with clients, I love creating a space where other women can build and grow their own businesses.
I think I’m most proud of the business I’ve built. Creating a space that I love going to everyday that doesn’t feel like work. It’s the relationships with my clients that truly sets me apart. I love what I do and I think my clients feel that when they’re with me
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is building relationships with people. One of the things I love most about my job is that I get to spend my days talking with and learning from some incredible women. Over the years, many of my clients have become friends (one is even one of my bridesmaids). I happy to have these woman in my life. We’ve all been there for each other during ups, downs, divorce, marriage and all the in between. Dont know how I could ever do it without them
Pricing:
- Full Set Lashes $200
- Lash Fills $50-$90
- Microblading $450
- Lash Lift $80
- Brow wax and Tint $35
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Vagaro.Com/kaityanacollective
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaityanacollective
