Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalena Parks
Hi Kalena, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My interest in aesthetics originally started with the desire to become a Makeup Artist back in the early 2000’s. As I sought out the training and began to learn more about makeup artistry, my interest shifted to the desire to know more of cosmetic and skin products, ingredients, and their interactions with the actual canvas-the skin.
I visited several cosmetology schools with esthetics programs, but none seemed to have the curriculum I was seeking. I wanted to learn about skin and anatomy from an actual scientific aspect, so my direction took a turn. In 2011, I decided to go to Nursing school to get the foundation I needed to kickstart my career in aesthetics.
After graduating an LVN program, I immediately began working as a Nurse in the best teaching hospital in the metroplex. I was able to learn in many specialties, including Dermatology. In 2019, I obtained my Esthetician license and in 2020 was blessed with the opportunity to enter the world of Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics.
October 2021, I opened The Glamourx Clinic Skin Health & Aesthetics where I practice corrective and clinical skincare. I continue to serve full time as a Nurse, and am currently pursuing my BSN with plans to expand The Glamourx Clinic into a skincare powerhouse inclusive of medical and aesthetic skin treatments and services.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I never expected pursuing a career in Nursing or Aesthetics to be easy, especially when taking a non-traditional route. I did not begin my nursing career until I was 30 years old. Another level of complexities exist when you’re a wife and mother. The real challenge comes with prioritizing your needs when everything is necessary and equally important. Thankfully, I come from a family of business owners so I’ve always had their guidance and hands-on experience in opening as well as the daily operations of running a business. Balancing the full-time work I do as a Nurse, going back to school, and managing my own business comes second to the needs of my family. The support and sacrifice I receive from them is unmatched and truly fuels my efforts.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Glamourx Clinic – Skin Health & Aesthetics is so much more than what I intended it to be. My services include customized facials using medical grade products and modalities for all skin types and conditions. Although my focus is treating/correcting and creating healthy skin, the clinic has become a haven of comfort and support not only for my clients but for myself.
I love teaching my clients the importance of skin health and how to care for their skin, but many times I spend an entire session listening to their dreams and goals, hearing about their families, or just talking about the universal challenges of life. I cherish each and every one of those intimate conversations, bits of advice, laughter, and sometimes even tears. Those special moments remind me that my job is so much more than skincare. It’s about the connections made while providing a service to those that may be in their most vulnerable state. It’s about the healing touch a set of hands can provide. It’s about providing the only peace or personal interaction they may have for the day in a very small time slot. It’s about uplifting and fully caring for my clients.
Addressing Mental Health and emotional needs is a very important part of my role that I don’t take lightly. Some clients are not only dealing with skin conditions that may lower their confidence, but the additional emotional stressors that introduce depression as well. I am proud to be in partnership with Mental Health Advocate/Certified Life Coach Ty Mathews, owner of CycleFree LLC, to provide my clients with affordable, convenient professional services.
Words are unable to express how grateful I am for the ones who serve alongside me that have become family-Choisalon Wilson, LE (owner of Beauty is a ChoiSalon) and Cachille Coleman (owner of Coloured by Co and Treni’D @Lash). Having in-house support from other entrepreneurs that carries over into my daily life has been a different kind of blessing for me and The Glamourx Clinic!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
It’s said if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans! I’ve learned that life is inevitably full of change and unexpected occurrences. Distractions will come, but you have to navigate through and remember your goal and why you started. The path may not be the easiest or the one you intended or even wish to take, but in the end it’s the path that will mold you into the person you need to be in order to fulfill your goals. When life happens, make the necessary adjustments, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theglamrxclinic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamrx_nurse?igsh=MTNjYW9qZnVjNHJ5ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glamrxclinic?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://theglamrxclinic.glossgenius.com/
