From Liege to Sydney

With Anissa - Creating space in Bondi

Just go (live elsewhere) !

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- Background and roots: The interviewee is from Belgium, specifically Liège, and has ties to Morocco through family. She spent a significant period in London (five years) to pursue her interest in fashion and beauty and to improve her English, before moving to Australia. The move was partly motivated by weather and a sense that she needed to pursue something she couldn’t fully articulate at the time.

- Early work in Australia: After arriving, she found work in a Bondi shop, where she initially applied broadly by printing her resume and visiting multiple shops. She started as a casual employee, and her English gradually improved. Her leadership trajectory progressed quickly: within months she became a shop manager, a role that recognized her growing responsibility and capability.

- Transition to entrepreneurship: Several years later, she launched her own beauty business in Australia. She chose to operate from a private home studio rather than a traditional storefront, emphasizing a personal, intimate environment. She began the business about a year ago, testing the waters before fully committing.

- The business philosophy and approach: Her core aim is to help people feel good about themselves. She emphasizes listening to the body to understand what the skin and overall condition need, advocating for a strong mind-body connection as a foundation for effective skincare. Her studio atmosphere is designed to be private and winding down-friendly, with meditation music and a calm environment to help clients unwind.

- Services and techniques: Her practice combines cosmetics and facial therapies, drawing on a beauty diploma she earned long before starting the business. The studio is equipped with a range of technologies used during treatments (such as LED masks, hydrafacial tools, and radiofrequency devices) and a selection of scrubs. Treatments are customized to each client’s skin type and needs, with a focus on relaxation and skin improvement. She notes that her clientele are primarily women, but she intentionally welcomes men too, highlighting a gap in the market for men seeking a private, stress-relieving space.

- Client experience and environment: The home studio functions as a retreat where clients can unwind, listen, and be seen as individuals rather than just customers. Beyond the facial itself, she integrates elements like soothing music and potential breathwork or mindfulness practices, providing a holistic experience aimed at reducing stress and enhancing skin health. The emphasis is on a tailored, client-centered approach rather than a rushed, high-traffic service model.

- Personal and professional stance: She underscores the importance of self-experimentation as part of refining her treatments—she tests approaches on herself and brings those insights into her work with clients. This practical, evidence-informed stance reinforces the credibility of her methods and the trust she aims to establish with clients.

- Summary takeaway: The speaker’s journey—from immigrant worker to private-practice skincare professional—centers on personal growth, adaptability, and a commitment to creating a calming, individualized experience. Her story illustrates how a private, client-focused studio can become a trusted space for wellness and skin health, leveraging both traditional beauty skills and modern technologies.