Inspiring Conversations with Kylie Achilles of Achilles Aesthetics

I thought that if I “found myself” while traveling that I would know what I would want to do as a career for the rest of my life. That didn’t work out though and I ended up just falling in love with traveling and being on my own. When I flew back home to Texas I decided to pack up and move to San Antonio in hopes of a better job and better educational opportunities. I began to bartend and attend a little bit of college but I really felt that it wasn’t for me and I ended up dropping out and continued to work and travel all over the US and parts of the world.

I really didn’t find any other passions until I found a love for makeup, and from that, I was soon introduced to skincare, and that’s where my new true love began. You see, I had always struggled with acne and blackheads, and wearing makeup definitely did nothing to help that. I began taking my skincare routine seriously and educating myself on what I and my skin really needed. I remember looking at myself in the mirror and realizing how much self-confidence I had grown, just by clearing up my skin.

I sat back and began to think “is this what I’m supposed to do? Help people get their skin healthy and clear? Help people get their own self-confidence back?” I began researching schools and in December of 2019, I started school at the Aveda Institute for Esthiology. When I started esthetician school I really knew that this was exactly where I was supposed to be, finally after years of searching. I was still working full time while in school full-time, and most weeks I would spend about 70 hours in total doing both.

But each week was a week closer to graduating and beginning my career. I, like everyone else on the planet, was in for a rude awakening when March 2020 hit and everything shut down due to COVID-19. I soon lost my job and was put on unemployment and class had begun online at home. I wasn’t going to let that put a damper on my spirit and I kept studying, learning, and dreaming of owning my own business. Finally, in June of 2020, I graduated from Aveda and was ready to start my career in a new world, where shutdowns and furloughs plagued.

There were so many different jobs I had wanted and even considered moving out of state to start a new life and my new career, but with the pandemic came uncertainties for me and for other businesses and it was hard trying to find a job. I began thinking if anyone can put their mind to something, it’s me, and I didn’t want my own future to depend on anyone else. I began to save up my money and pick up extra shifts, ratholing every bit I earned for my future business. I started buying equipment and supplies and practiced services on my family and friends.

Finally, I decided to take my leap of faith and I quit my job in May of 2021 and signed a lease to rent a room at a salon. I knew I was at the place I wanted to be when I stepped foot into The Establishment. Alex Trey, the owner, really helped me pursue my passion in starting my own business. In June of 2021, Achilles Aesthetics at The Establishment began. I chose the name after my own last name, Achilles, so every day I would remind myself of the hard work my parents put into their own small businesses.

I’m four months into owning Achilles Aesthetics and each day is different and a challenge, but every day I wake up and go to work at a place that I LOVE.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, opening up and running a brand new business in the middle of an uncertain pandemic is rough. I do have to remind myself not to be so hard on myself and that I’m very young, just turned 25, and that not everything is going to be a piece of cake. But with every problem there’s always a solution so I always stay positive through it all.

I’d say one of the biggest challenges is actually learning how business and taxes work, I can do facials and lashes all day long and execute them perfectly, but the whole backside of the business is completely new to me. Also, marketing had presented itself to be quite challenging at first but now is something I’ve grown to love and have developed a new passion for.

We’ve been impressed with Achilles Aesthetics, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Achilles Aesthetics is an experience in itself. I’m a licensed esthetician and provide outstanding facials, lash lifts, body and face waxing, makeup, and tooth gems. Achilles Aesthetics sets itself from the rest by providing exceptional services to its clients. Each facial is completely customized to provide the adequate care that each client needs for their own specific skin.

I do an in-depth analysis of the client’s skin after they complete an entire intake form. At Achilles Aesthetics I strive to make every client feel special and heard, and providing a completely customized experience is what I am the proud of.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see myself expanding and owning a spa/salon one day and hiring other estheticians, cosmetologists, nail techs, etc to work for me. I really want to be able to provide a safe and healthy work environment for other people in the beauty industry and to provide them with the tools to be successful and rent out their own room or booth.

The aesthetics industry is ever-growing and expanding and I want to be able to keep up with it, while also providing excellent service. I’m currently working on some projects that I can’t wait to share in the next few months.

1 Comment

1. 

   LaValle Jenkins

   November 11, 2021 at 12:10 am

   Well done!

   Reply