Today we’d like to introduce you to Alena Leathers.
Hi Alena, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been fascinated by beauty and how things work together. I used to go outside, crush up rocks and minerals, and mix them into lotions or soaps like I was creating secret skincare formulas. I’d even add glitter, pour it into little containers, and sell it on the school bus for twenty-five cents. Looking back, that’s where both my love for beauty and my entrepreneurial spirit began.
My mom has always held her cosmetology license, and my dad owned his own business, so I grew up surrounded by both creativity and drive. Beauty came naturally to me, but so did ambition. I’ve always been a girly girl who loves skincare and makeup, yet I’ve also been deeply curious about how the body and mind connect, the full picture of health, not just the surface.
Life took me on a few detours before I found my calling. I started out working at a veterinary clinic as a groomer’s assistant, eventually managing the boarding and daycare department. After nearly eight years there, I moved into the dental field, which gave me my first glimpse into the clinical, detail-oriented side of care. I enjoyed it, but something inside me kept whispering that I was meant for more, something where I could be creative, make an impact, and help people feel truly seen.
I’ve always believed that when you feel beautiful, you move through the world differently. I was bullied when I was younger, and that experience taught me how powerful it is to build others up. Complimenting someone, caring for them, and helping them feel confident are things that fill me with purpose.
When I turned thirty, I finally decided to stop putting my dream on hold. I enrolled in Summit Salon Academy Kansas City’s first-ever night esthetics program and became the very first graduate of that class, a small but meaningful piece of history. From the moment I stepped into school, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Shortly after graduating, I opened Elevated Esthetics by Alena inside Revolve Beauty on the historic square in Richmond, Missouri. I wanted to create more than just a treatment space. I wanted it to be an experience, a place where clients could unwind, reconnect with themselves, and feel elevated in every sense. My mission has always been rooted in service and faith, to be a vessel for God’s work and use my gift to help others feel their best inside and out.
About ten years ago, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and that changed everything for me. Over the years, my own skin has taken a toll from inflammation, hormones, and medications. It gave me a firsthand understanding of how our internal health reflects on our skin and how healing truly starts within. Living with a chronic autoimmune condition taught me empathy, patience, and a whole new respect for the body’s resilience. It’s also what inspired my holistic approach to skincare and the deeper purpose behind what I do.
Today, I’m proud to be a CIDESCO Diplomat, the highest international certification in beauty therapy, and a certified Procell Therapies provider offering advanced microchanneling treatments. Elevated Esthetics by Alena continues to grow every month, and I feel so grateful for the clients, family, and community that support me.
This journey has been one of faith, perseverance, and purpose. What started as glitter lotion on the school bus has grown into a career built on serving others, elevating confidence, and helping people truly glow inside and out.
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?
Not at all, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every obstacle has shaped me into a stronger businesswoman and a more grounded person.
Starting a business on my own has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I’ve ever done. There were moments of doubt, exhaustion, and lessons learned the hard way, but every challenge taught me something valuable. I learned how to trust my instincts, stay disciplined, and keep my vision at the center no matter what was happening around me.
When you are building something from the ground up, there are so many moving parts like finances, clients, marketing, and self-doubt, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. I worked full-time while going to esthetics school at night and then immediately hit the ground running to open Elevated Esthetics by Alena. There was no backup plan, only faith, grit, and the belief that if I stayed consistent, it would all come together.
I have done all of this without taking out any business or personal loans and without putting expenses on credit cards. That alone has required a huge amount of discipline and constant awareness. I check my priorities at the door every single day to make sure I am financially stable both in business and in my personal life. That level of responsibility has taught me balance, patience, and the importance of being intentional with every decision I make.
There were times I cried from exhaustion, stayed up late designing my brand, or second-guessed every decision. But looking back, those nights are the reason I am proud of what I have built. It was not handed to me. It was earned through dedication, prayer, and the decision to keep showing up no matter how hard it got.
The road has not been smooth, but it has been beautiful. Every challenge pushed me to grow, to level up, and to prove to myself that I can create something meaningful that truly helps others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a licensed esthetician and the owner of Elevated Esthetics by Alena in Richmond, Missouri. My work centers around customized skincare, education, and creating a calm, elevated experience where clients can truly unwind.
Most of my clients say they have never had a facial that feels quite like mine. I am known for my massage technique and touch, the flow, pressure, and rhythm that make people melt into the table while still delivering real results. I focus on intentional movements that lift, sculpt, and reset the skin, and I think that is what makes the experience stand out.
I also love the education side of esthetics. Understanding skin, ingredients, and how everything connects is something I am passionate about sharing with my clients. It is not just about what happens in the treatment room, but about helping them understand their skin and feel confident caring for it every day.
I have built my business slowly and intentionally, staying focused on quality over quantity. Elevated Esthetics is a reflection of my values, genuine care, consistency, and attention to detail. My clients feel that the moment they walk in.
What makes me proud is the connection I build with the people who trust me with their skin. When they leave feeling relaxed, restored, and glowing, that is the best reward I could ask for.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I just want people to know that it is never too late to start over or chase the thing that keeps tugging at your heart. I went back to school at thirty, completely changed careers, and built a business from the ground up. It was scary, but it has been the most fulfilling thing I have ever done.
If there is something you feel called to do, trust that feeling and take the first step. You do not have to have everything figured out. You just have to start and keep showing up.
For me, Elevated Esthetics is more than skincare. It is about faith, confidence, and helping people see the beauty in themselves again. I am grateful every single day that this is my work.
Pricing:
- The Ultimate Elevated Facial- $170
- The Elevated Facial- $145
- Custom Facial- $80
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevatedestheticsbyalena.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ElevatedEstheticsAlena
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElevatedEstheticsbyAlena
- Other: https://elevatedestheticsbyalena.glossgenius.com/
Image Credits
Ciara Dutcher- Ciara Dutcher Photography
