Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonya Ellis.
Sonya Ellis, MSN, CANS, CPSN Certified Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Nurse – the L.A.B. med spa – Southlake TX Sonya has always been passionate about all things pretty but did not find her true calling until serving as a post-operative recovery room nurse for a medical/surgical VIP plastic surgery floor. Even though she worked as a nurses’ aide through college and worked in several different facets of nursing such as ICU, Interventional Radiology and Medical Sales, Plastic Surgery is what kept calling her back and she found all the procedures fascinating. Sonya has now been a nurse for over 20 years, served in plastic surgery for over 15 years and has specialized in injectable aesthetics for the past 12 years.
Though she loved working in the Plastic Surgeon’s office, she also needed better work/life balance and decided to join a medical spa in Southlake in order to have more control over her schedule. Even though she missed circulating the OR, providing wound care and recovering the plastic surgery patients, she also enjoyed taking her son to and from school and being present at all of his school or athletic activities. “Whoever said you can have it all as a working mother LIED!” she says. Over the years, Sonya built a very loyal and busy injectable practice here in the Southlake area and finally decided to start her own medical spa with her physician husband Stephen R. Ellis, MD. the L.A.B. med spa specializes in technology-driven, non-surgical aesthetic procedures, medical-grade skincare, hormone therapy, weight management and IV therapy.
Their mission is to combine the results of sound clinical research with the latest technology to give patients a more enhanced yet natural appearance in a luxurious atmosphere while also focusing on wellness and life balance. With the patient’s help, she and her staff provide a comprehensive consultation including skincare, neuromodulators, dermal fillers, resurfacing/laser treatments, hormone replacement, weight management or IV therapy. They provide the answers to all the patient’s cosmetic/medical questions and formulate a treatment plan for each individual patient’s skin type, concerns and desires for the future. Their goal is for the patient to receive the safest, most results-oriented, longest-lasting and cost-effective treatment available. The L.A.B.’s philosophy is to always put the patient first.
Sonya is also proud to be one of only two nurses in the state of Texas to be double certified in aesthetics and plastic surgery (there are only 37 nurses with this distinction currently located in the United States). She is one of the top injectable accounts in the US and has been awarded several times for having a palpable passion for her work and providing quality aesthetic care from her peers and her patients. “Top 100 Injectors in the US” ~ Injectors Network, “Most Loved Injector” ~ Real Self, “Best place for Injectables” ~Southlake Style the L.A.B. med spa is under the direction of Medical Director, Dr. Jesse Smith, MD, FACS a double board-certified physician in head and neck and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. She is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses and Texas Association of Aesthetic Nurses. The Ellis family moved to Southlake 11 years ago in order for their son, Cade, to attend the Southlake Carroll School District. Go Dragons!
They fell in Love with not only the community but also the convenience of its location. Their son (a Dragon Alumni) is now a Junior at Texas A&M University (WHOOP) and is studying Construction Science. The love of her life for 23 years, Stephen, is an anesthesiologist with Metro Anesthesia and he also serves on numerous hospital boards in the DFW area. A tux is their adorable 106-pound neurotic Labradoodle. In her spare time, Sonya likes to volunteer for various charities, loves to travel the world and enjoys socializing with friends and family when time permits. The L.A.B. med spa is located at 1910 E. Hwy 114 Southlake TX 76092. Please call to book your consultation today: 817-251-1000 Days and Hours of Operation will be found on their website along with a list of current services www.thelabmedspa.com Follow us on Social Media Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – LinkedIn.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I grew up in a very small town in West Texas called Post, I love the community spirit it fostered in me, I think that’s why I LOVE Southlake so much, it feels like a BIG “small” town. Everyone knows everyone here, it can be hard running a business that way but I think growing up in a small town prepared me for what I am doing today. Thriving and Prospering in a small town located in a big metropolitan city, I get the best of both worlds.
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?
The first 15 years of my career were very easy, it was just all about finding ways to maintain a career and still be a good wife and mother. However, the past 5 years have been the biggest challenge. Laws are changing as far as injectables go and I had to return back to school to get my masters so I can take my boards to become a nurse practitioner. It was rough going back to school in my 40’s, working a full time job and I still had a high schooler at home. I also never had any intention of opening up my own med spa, however, I realized in the end that no one is going to care for my patient’s the way I would. So I built them a better med spa, one that puts them first.
Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so –who are they and what role did they plan / how did they help.
The biggest credit goes to the love of my life, Stephen Richard Ellis, my husband. Without his support none of this would be possible. I would also like to thank my son, Cade. He was so helpful when we bought the building, he was there with us everyday fixing it up during the Covid shutdown. As far as my nursing career goes, I would like to thank the school nurse, Mrs. Janie Ammons for coming to talk to our class for career day, it was because of her and a Briggs Meyers test that I found my calling as a nurse. I have never regretted going to nursing school one day of my life. It’s such a versatile career in my opinion. I would also like to thank my first plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Stagnone for teaching me injectables and teaching me how to harness the patient’s expectations. Without him, I don’t think my career would be as successful as it is now.
Contact Info:
- Email: admin@thelabmedspa.com or sonya@thelabmedspa.com
- Website: www.thelabmedspa.com
- Instagram: thel.a.b.medspa or sonya_thelabmedspa
- Facebook: The LAB Med Spa or Sonya Ellis
- Twitter: the L.A.B. med spa
- Yelp: The LAB Med Spa
