Meet Johnna Sunshine of Alkemi + Sunshine in Larchmont Village

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnna Sunshine.

Johnna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve done some version of healing/beauty/energy work my entire life. I learned quite early with the work I was doing, superficial changes were fun but not necessarily as interesting as that unmistakable shift in energy was fascinating. It was about confidence + I was hooked on promoting that confidence. So, how was I going to turn this into a career? At 17, going to College was my only option… that’s what you did in my family. So I did as an Art Major. After graduating, I moved to Aspen to be a bum, but a fancy one. I moved to DC to “get serious” but really just worked at a hipster pizza place + personal trainer. Next up was NYC to be a Make-Up Artist, and while I learned a heck of a lot, at 25 NYC just ate me up and spit me right out! But I gave 110% of spunk + naiveté never regretting a single moment of the experience! (My father actually had to come up and dragged me back to Atlanta because I wasn’t quitting!) In ATL, I actually was a “real” Make-Up Artist for Film, TV + Fashion. Huzzah! I felt like Pinnoccio after he had turned into a real boy, girl version. On sets for years, I saw where the “big ideas” were coming from… the Art Director. So, I enrolled in a top advertising school, worked like a dog and became an ART DIRECTOR as well.

To be involved in “bigger ideas” I drove out to LA to make my mark in Entertainment Art Direction. Turns out I hated it but saw the “bigger ideas” were coming from the Studios + Producers towards where I naturally gravitated. Producing was a wonderful experience, but after a decade or so it stopped nourishing my soul. As an exit strategy, I developed a Natural Skincare/Travel TV show, began extensively studying skincare ingredients, concluding clean + green would be how operated; completed my Holistic Nutrition degree at IIN; Yoga (RYT300) + Yoga Nidra (PYT110) instructor certifications and an Esthetician’s License which all led to curiosity about more energy healing arts such as reflexology, acupressure, reiki, gua sha, lymphatic flow and my beloved sculpting facial massage. Now I have my own studio where I am Chief Everything Officer in love with every day of the week. My journey is full hearted and full circle. Really, all I did was make opportunities for myself and leap!

Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all, leaping does not guarantee a safe landing… I have the scars to prove it! But, the struggles make you grow. You (especially me) might not WANT that lesson at that PARTICULAR time, but after all the huff + puff there is always something for which to be grateful. Always. My struggles include the WEBSITE OMG, self-doubt creeping in (how does it always find that little crack?) And watching the finest + most pre-produced plans go bananas in the wind. But that being said, I am confident that this is my thing + I’m hella good at it.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Alkemi + Sunshine is a holistic energy healing space best known for The Ritual, a nearly 100min deliciously rejuvenating service that restores your face to its most natural, harmonious posture. We don’t make a new you, we reveal the you that is already there— maybe buried under stress and tension or, you know LIFE! I can truly reset the clock back a decade or so after a series is completed. The Ritual is grounded in Yakov Gershovich’s Sculptural Facial Lift with more attention paid to clearing stagnation in the neck, chest and face with Gua Sha, Facial Cupping and MLD prior + detail work with Gua Sha, Reflexology or custom masks, serums or LED, yoga nidra, yoga asana Breathwork, bouncing on the trampoline or resting in silence after. Each session is tailored specifically for that day, to amplify the series. Coming in 2nd most requested is The Express which covers as much territory as above in 60 full minutes. I’m most proud that my clients return week after week. I would imagine it’s not an easy thing to do, but they happily come back every week. Truly, I have the most beautiful, loyal clients beyond my wildest dreams! I’ve worked with an Oscars® presenter and Oscars® host this year starting six weeks before the ceremony. All of whom come back regularly! Currently, I’m preparing an actor to look 10 years younger for a big film shooting soon- which has been super fun + inspiring.

We also offer beginner Yoga classes to get you confident to enter a group class. Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep, almost like a guided meditation but not exactly), Gua Sha, Reflexology, and Custom Series to suit any client’s individual wishes.

What sets Alkemi + Sunshine apart is the natural attention you will get as soon as the door is opened… that next hour or two is yours exclusively, body, mind + spirit…you will walk out feeling more open, relaxed, happier + with the extra bonus of looking like a fresher version of yourself. I create the experience you didn’t know you needed that day… We’re going to listen to Tame Impala, New Wave, Thievery Corporation + Edith Piaf among others. You’ll most likely fall asleep. I’ll be moving + grooving + healing.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I do think LA is a good place for businesses like mine IF you are specialized, near the top of your profession or a natural entrepreneur. Otherwise, it’s a tough city for someone just starting out as it’s saturated with people looking for jobs making wages very low for everyone. The City of Los Angeles could create a labor force to investigate spa owners to make sure they are paying a fair wage and not abusing the Independent Contractor laws. I know genius facialists making $12-$18 an hour while the cost of the facial is north of $300. That breaks my heart!

Contact Info:

• Address: Larchmont Village
  Los Angeles, CA 90004
• Website: www.alkemiandsunshine.com
• Phone: 213-349-2988
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @alkemi_and_sunshine
• Facebook: @alkemi.and.sunshine

Image Credit:
Amanda Austin Photography

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