From esthetician to entrepreneur

Franki Spinney is passionate about skincare. If you walk into her spa - Luscious Beauty Clinic - in downtown Lloydminster, this Class of 2013 Lakeland alumna would be more than happy to tell you why.

“I want people to get the best outcome possible with their skincare that they can,” she says. "We do a lot of body treatments and we focus a lot on skincare.”

Originally from Nova Scotia, Spinney understands all too well how the dry prairie climate can wreak havoc on one’s skin. And so does her business partner Lisa Carroll, who hails from Ireland.

“Living in a place with the ocean nearby, that extra moisture can make your skin healthier and more luscious,” says Spinney. “Living here can be a challenge for skincare, which is why we offer quality, organic skincare products and spa services that can ensure your skin is lush and healthy year-round.”

At Luscious Beauty Clinic, Spinney and her team specializes in a range of body treatments, including wraps and scrubs, facials, waxing, manual spray tan, hand and foot treatments, makeup services and more. "Between all of us, we have a lot of different levels of education and strengths so it works out really well," says Spinney, adding they proudly offer the Eminence organic skincare line from Hungary.

Before going into business for herself, Spinney originally left the east coast in search of work. Instead, she found Lakeland College’s esthetician program. “I really enjoyed how hands-on the program was, but it was a lot harder than you realize. It’s more than just painting nails – there is so much to learn and so many skills to develop,” says Spinney. “For me, working in the spa and meeting clients provided really valuable experience. Lakeland is one of the best places to go for an esthetician program because the instructors are the best.”

After graduation Spinney worked in a local spa for several years. That's where she met Carroll. Neither was ready to open their own business. Spinney honed her skills and continued her education by taking courses in skincare and microneedling. "I got a lot of experience working there and I learned a lot from my colleagues," she says.

When the spa they worked at together closed, Spinney says it was the push she needed to make the leap from esthetician to business owner with Carroll. "It was as though one door had closed but the next one was already open for us," she says. “Lisa and I had wanted to open a spa for a while and it was time.”

Luscious Beauty Clinic opened in June 2016. Since then, business has been going strong. "We've had a lot of new people come through our doors as well as our great client base,” says Spinney. “Downtown Lloydminster is very supportive. It's amazing to see other local businesses support you and we're happy to support them too. Everyone is helping each other out."

The transition from esthetician to entrepreneur has been interesting and rewarding, says Spinney, who returned to Lakeland’s Lloydminster campus in the fall to speak with current esthetician students about her experience. “It was great to be back on campus to speak with them. My advice to them is to expand your skills and go with what you're interested in. Find your strongpoints and strengths and build on those,” she says. “I also encouraged students to get some experience in the industry first, before starting your own business. That experience is very valuable because it shows you what it's like in industry.”

Just as she learned at Lakeland, customer service is a top priority for Spinney and her team at Luscious Beauty Clinic. Ensuring her clients are well taken care of and happy with their services requires ongoing education, which Spinney is excited for.

“This industry is always growing and changing, so you can always learn more and keep enhancing your skills,” she says. “It makes us a lot happier that we can do this on our own. I have always wanted to have my own business and this is perfect for me. I love this industry.”

Located at 5003-49 Ave. in Lloydminster, Sask., Luscious Beauty Clinic is open Tuesday to Saturday. For more information, find them on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat.

Photo: Franki Spinney, co-owner of Luscious Beauty Clinic, specializes in body treatments and skincare. She credits Lakeland College with giving her a strong foundation on which she's built her own business in Lloydminster, Sask.