Today we’d like to introduce you to Rana Kennelly.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My mother is an artist. My aunt is a nurse. Another aunt is a teacher. The aunts used to argue over whether I would grow up to become a nurse, an educator or an artist. As it turned out, I’m all three!
Although my father died when I was three, I was raised by my mother in well grounded, happy, loving home in New Zealand. We never felt deprived, even at times when we lived on a shoestring. My mother was strict but fun, and incredibly creative. She was one of the original “house flippers” — she bought old properties and remodeled them. We kids would play as she lay carpet, hung wallpaper and hammered walls. After sending her four children to university, she went on to obtain her fine arts degree.
I obtained my nursing degree in New Zealand, which has served me well. My nursing classroom and clinical experiences were scrupulous — we worked hard as a team, and patient advocacy was first and foremost. Nurses are on the front line of care, and my training in New Zealand taught me to stand up for what is right, even if it means speaking out of turn. I have worked in many areas of nursing, but my career has always been geared towards women’s health and wellbeing. I get satisfaction out of educating and empowering women in times of sickness and health.
I started my career focusing on gynecology, IVF, post-natal depression and eating disorders. But I am naturally a vibrant person, and I soon found my work dampened my spirits. I took others’health misfortunes to heart and would often sob on my way home from work when I could not help or save a patient. I realized I wanted a career in a field of empowerment and health.
By this time, I was living in London, so I enrolled in the midwife program at Kings College. I thought, “Who doesn’t love their midwife and besides, what a privilege to be part of a woman’s special journey.” I can honestly say I was an excellent midwife being compassionate and enthusiastic. I was the biggest cheerleader and loved every single birthing mother and their beautiful babies. But even as a midwife, there were long days & catastrophic days.
Then, my career took another turn. I moved to Monaco for a private nursing job and there I was introduced to a whole new world of beauty. French women looked so effortlessly perfect and polished — from the way they dressed to their flawless skin and hair. Monaco is where I learned so many beauty secrets, including the fact that it all starts with skin. I knew this would be my calling — helping women look and feel beautiful which in turn makes them powerful. Nothing extreme, I would do it just as the French do it — with simplicity and elegance.
I moved to the US to continue my journey in aesthetics, working alongside top plastic surgeons. Along the way, people said I was a natural educator and I was asked to consult on behalf of Allergan and Galderma. In 2013, I founded ‘Aesthetics For You’ providing injectable hands-on training to my colleagues.
Today, my career as a certified aesthetic nurse specialist is happy. There is no sickness or death, just a happy, vibrant life. My fundamental philosophies remain the same, however: to advocate for everyone and empower women to feel and look at their very best.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I believe everything that’s come to fruition in my life is the result of positivity, hard work, preparation and putting myself out there. I would advise everyone to do what they love. We spend a huge part of our lives at work, so it must make you happy. I also believe if you lose your passion for what you’re doing, you should not be afraid to do something else! There is nothing wrong with going back to school or earning less money for a time, to explore a new career path. Advancing and challenging yourself, and seeking new opportunities are essential for growth. If you are happy and fulfilled, success will come. Finally, try not to take yourself too seriously. Take time for yourself, your family and your friends. Because without your health and happiness, nothing else matters!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Aesthetics for You – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a certified aesthetic nurse specialist. I perform aesthetic treatments such as neuromodulator (Botox Cosmetic and Dysport) and dermal filler treatments alongside plastic surgeons. My job satisfaction comes from helping people gain self-confidence and radiate health, well-being, and happiness.
I’m aware of the fact that nobody wants to look as if they’ve “had work done.” The goal is to look fresher. Rejuvenated. Friendlier. Like yourself, only better with little aesthetic tweaks done in a natural and safe way. And it’s funny — because I inherited my mother’s eye for detail and her sophisticated aesthetic, I know how to do just that. Other providers ask me how I know where to place the filler or the Botox, and I can try to break it down, but ultimately, I think I just have the aesthetic eye.
If you were to ask others in the field what I am known for, it would be for my tireless advocacy of safe practices in the aesthetic field. Unfortunately, many do not take our profession seriously. We perform medical procedures, and like any medical procedures, adverse events can happen. My passion is teaching colleagues how to avoid, recognize and manage adverse events should they present themselves. After all, people are trusting us with their faces! We have an obligation to be skilled and knowledgeable.
I’m also known for my approachability. I share the good, bad and the ugly and pass it on to the next generation. I believe in empowering not only the people I treat but also the providers around me. When you pay it forward, it comes back to you tenfold.
A source of pride most recently is being invited to be a member of the faculty for Palette Resources. This is a group of well-respected physicians and nurses who are passionate about teaching the art and science of facial aesthetics nationwide.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
This is an exciting time, with an interest in women’s rights at an all-time high. There is a powerful movement to drive for change, and women have tremendous potential to transform our society, which has been male-dominated for so long.
Every woman should know her workplace rights. Happily, more and more women are stepping up publicly and saying, “me too.” This is just the beginning of recognition of the scale of sexual harassment and other forms of unjust treatment that has been going on far too long.
As women, we should support each other and celebrate the lives of our daughters, sisters, and mothers around the world and in our own community. Whether that means being there for a friend in crisis, helping a new mum in the first weeks of her newborn’s life, showing gratitude to your best friends, mentoring a young woman, investing in a female-owned business or even treating yourself to a little Botox— it’s what we do individually that raises us all!
Pricing:
- Botox cosmetic starting at $300
- Dermal fillers starting at $600
Contact Info:
- Website: Ranakennelly.com
- Instagram: Naturally_rana
Image Credit:
Samer
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