Behind the Needle

Starting From Scratch, Three Times, with Natalie Galanin

Mike LeMieux

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0:00 | 42:06

Most people fear starting over. Natalie Galanin has done it three times.

In this episode of Behind the Needle, Natalie Galanin, owner of Resurface Studio in Sitka, Alaska, shares how she went from studying marine science on the Big Island to becoming one of Alaska's most in-demand estheticians. 

Natalie opens up about what it took to start over in a state with far stricter licensing rules than Hawaii, how those restrictions actually led her to a specialty she loves, and why holistic, lifestyle-driven skincare has become the backbone of her business. She also gets into the realities of running a studio in a town that swings from nearly 3 million tourists to a winter ghost town, and why she believes authenticity, not polish, is what actually grows a client base on social media.

This episode is for anyone who's had to rebuild from scratch, question the rules they were taught, or figure out how to build a loyal clientele in an unconventional market.


In this episode:

  • Natalie's path from marine science student in Hawaii to full-time esthetician
  • Building and relocating her first studio in Hawaii, and the lessons learned from starting over in a new neighborhood
  • The personal loss that brought her back to Sitka, Alaska, and how quickly her books filled up once she reopened
  • The surprising differences between Hawaii's and Alaska's licensing restrictions for estheticians
  • How losing access to microneedling and dermaplaning led her to specialize in acne through Face Reality certification
  • Her holistic approach to skin health, including diet, stress, sleep, and Alaska's common vitamin D deficiencies
  • Why authentic, personal content outperforms product-focused posts on social media


Resources + Links

Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/

Book with Resurface Studio: resurfacestudio.co


Follow

Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/

MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/

Resurface Studio: https://www.instagram.com/resurfacestudio/?hl=en