Meet Kurnita Wallace | Esthetician,Laser Tech, and Self-care Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kurnita Wallace and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kurnita, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
For me, self-care has always been essential. I have always put myself first. I know that might seem selfish but it really isn’t. If you are not together yourself how will you take care of the important people in your life. It’s like the flight attendant tells you; put your mask on first. Get your oxygen first. That is how you first start to create balance in your life. I think the pandemic showed a lot of people just how unbalanced they were. We get so caught up in doing that we are not enjoying. Americans take the least amount of vacation days than any other country. Pre pandemic we were allowing relationships to suffer all in the name of work, hustling, grinding etc. People started dying all around us and it made us realize just how short life really is.
I’m very intentional with my life/work balance. I enjoy family and friends more. I tell them how much I love them. I give myself time to rest, reset, and recharge. I give myself grace to sometimes do absolutely nothing.
Being a self-care coach I’m always preaching to anyone that will listen that balance is key. It is my duty to teach people;especially entrepreneurs about life/work balance and give them realistic ideas on how to do it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’ve been an Esthetics Instructor for 2 decades and a Laser Technician for 9 years. I specialize in treating people of color and women who suffer from PCOS. In the laser tech field there aren’t many of us who specialize in laser hair removal specifically for people of color.

Entrepreneurship of any kind is not for the faint of heart. It is a lot of blood, sweat, tears, uncertainty, loneliness, ups and downs.

I often suggest to people who are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur to go get a “,job” in the field that they want to open their business in and get some “on the job paid training “. Working for someone else will show you what to do and not do when you open your own business. Make most of your mistakes on someone else’s dime.
I worked for a corporate laser company before venturing out on my own. This company culture was not very open to free thinking people of color such as myself. This caused me to doubt myself and develop a bad case of imposter syndrome. But I eventually remembered who’s I am ( a child of God) and who I am (a brilliant and talented black woman). After I remember those 2 things it was time for me to venture out on my own.
The biggest obstacle I faced was try to educate people of color on how laser hair removal works and why they needed regular spa treatments such as facials, massages and laser hair removal. I had to explain/convince them why they were worthy and deserved these things. And that these things were just some of the Self-care things that they needed to incorporate into their lives for work/life balance.

I want the world to know that self-care is essential and that it is not selfish.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to First Fridays on Roosevelt Row so they could soak up the African American culture and shop small and local. I would take them to Food truck Fridays to experience the many different cuisines that AZ has to offer; especially Hot Sauce and Pepper my favorite food truck for vegan cauliflower and Mac and cheese. Then to Earth Vegan restaurant for Crazy Shrimp tacos. We would definitely swing by the many brunch spots. Have drinks at Chic 77 wine bar. I would also take them to the various parks we have here. Before leaving I would give them the best facial they ever had at Spa Saturday which is where I’m located..shameless plug for my esthetic services.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
You don’t reach the top without people pulling you up. My mother and grandmother were my first mentors. They were both cosmetologist and got me interested in the beauty industry to begin with. Then, it would have to be my home town of Youngstown, Ohio. The people in my town were always very supportive and encouraging.
And last but not least the friends and clients of Arizona that welcomed me with open arms. When I moved here I had to start from scratch and build my clientele. I was in various networking groups. Currently, I am a member of Tina Marie and The Bridge Builders Social Club and this organization/sisterhood has been nothing short of amazing.

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