Glowing through the chaos: Navigating COVID & the Cost of Living Crisis with Love & Care.

The Skin Spa is an urban oasis located on Alexandra Street in central Kirikiriroa, Hamilton. This quiet sanctuary is for people seeking a journey of relaxation and beauty – an exceptional spa experience to treat the mind, body and spirit.

For over 20 years, Skin Spa owner Kim Frandi has built a career that seamlessly blends artistry with business savvy.  But the journey hasn’t always been smooth.

From early beginnings in Tauranga and Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland, to becoming a business owner and weathering the storm of multiple lockdowns, Kim’s story is one of resilience, creativity and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

For Kim, beauty isn’t just about looking good. It is about helping people feel better about themselves. 

Her journey began in the early 2000s when she faced a choice for where to study beauty therapy. It was either an expensive school in Tamaki Makaurau or in Tauranga for a more balanced lifestyle. Choosing Tauranga allowed Kim to work part-time in a café while studying, providing her with a more manageable lifestyle at a slower pace. 

She later moved to Auckland for further studies in electrolysis, along with mentorship from industry professionals. This set the foundation for a career that would eventually lead to business ownership in the late 2000s.

With a passion for beauty and a mind for business, Kim was prepared for the challenges of business ownership and the ever-evolving nature of the beauty industry.

For almost ten years, Kim continued to operate The Skin Spa out of the 2nd floor of the Alexandra Street building. When Kim shifted The Skin Spa into a street-front space in 2019, she was determined to create more than just a place of work. It had to be a space that resonated with her personality and creative spirit. Based on her experience in cafés and bars, Kim created a versatile area that offered a balance of openness and privacy, with both a welcoming reception area and quiet, intimate treatment rooms.

Like many businesses, The Skin Spa faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns forced the salon to close, creating financial strain and uncertainty with staff. However, even with the challenges, the community’s response was strong, and once the lockdowns ended, Kim was able to start rebuilding the business. 

Kim said the early days of reopening after the first lockdown were positive. “In 2020, people came roaring in!” However, the second lockdown in 2021 was harder to recover from, and the third lockdown which lasted until mid-November 2022, caused even more difficulty because it lasted longer and the uncertainty continued. 

Years later, the impacts of the pandemic are still being felt, along with the cost of living crisis. Kim said client spending habits have changed, and many are scaling back on luxury services. However, Kim remains optimistic, focusing on their loyal client base and adapting their marketing strategies to the new digital landscape.

While the path hasn’t always been clear, Kim wouldn’t change a thing, because every step, even the challenges, has shaped the business into what it is today. Kim sees The Skin Spa as a space to give back to the community, with a philosophy that beauty isn’t just skin-deep. By making someone feel confident, they’re sparking a positive ripple effect. “Your client is a walking canvas. If you make someone smile, they’ll go away and make someone else smile, and they’ll make someone else smile”.

The passion that Kim has for her business is clear. “It’s my baby” she said. It’s about creativity, service, and the satisfaction of making someone feel good. “Beauty therapy is not just about technical skill, but about personal connection”. The goal is simple: to deliver a top-notch customer service experience that leaves clients feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Looking ahead, Kim remains dedicated to her business, staff and her clients. The journey has not been easy, but it has been rewarding. As she continues to adapt to changing trends, she also stays true to her core mission: providing excellent service and creating a welcoming space where clients can escape the pressures of daily life.

In a world where the beauty industry is ever-changing, Kim has proven that passion, hard work, and resilience are essential ingredients for success. The Skin Spa is more than just a business. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and the desire to make a difference in the lives of others.