Hidden Gems: Meet Snezhana Kontlakova of Academy_beauty_start

Today we’d like to introduce you to Snezhana Kontlakova.

Snezhana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am an esthetician with 13 years of experience. My professional journey began in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where I worked in various beauty salons, gaining valuable skills and honing my expertise. In 2018, I decided to open my own beauty salon, bringing together the best practices in esthetic cosmetology. Thanks to continuous growth and education, my salon thrived year after year.

In search of new knowledge and inspiration, I traveled throughout Europe to learn more about European standards and approaches to the beauty industry. After moving to Los Angeles, I decided to pursue an even bigger dream — to open a school of esthetic cosmetology, where I could share my experience and help people not only gain a profession, but turn it into a true lifelong passion. I am now actively working on building this school and truly believe it will become a valuable resource for many aspiring estheticians.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were many challenges along the way. At times, I lacked the energy and strength, and I also had to face dishonesty and deceit from some people. Nevertheless, I always stayed true to my goal and kept moving forward, no matter what.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am proud to be creating a beauty school that is legal and transparent. There is a huge demand from people who dream of receiving high-quality training and building a career as a hair stylist, nail technician, or esthetician. To make education as accessible and convenient as possible, I translate each lesson into English, Spanish, and Russian, so that every student can feel confident and comfortable.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
This is the work of my life. I truly love my profession and take great satisfaction in sharing my knowledge with others. I believe in a creative approach to teaching, as an educator has the power to inspire and help each student unlock their potential.

Image Credits
Your choice.