Continuously re-investing and re-inventing for more advanced outcomes with better knowledge will always be the main play of the industry.
Q & A With Nika Sanguellini, Owner of
The Injectionist and Aesthetics
What services does The Injectionist and Aesthetics offer?
We offer Luxury Cosmetic Clinic services in Calgary and Edmonton.
How did you come up with the idea to start The Injectionist and Aesthetics, and what purpose did you intend to serve with the concept?
I grew up in a house where my father started one of the biggest renovation companies in Calgary, Alberta from nothing. This planted the seed of entrepreneurship early in my childhood. Inspired by my father working tirelessly to ensure that the business was both successful and gave our family a good life, my own entrepreneurial journey began when my husband acquired the Laser Hair Centre in 2010. While I was in college studying communications, I decided to help out in the Centre for the summer and was in love with the fast-paced cosmetic industry within the first hour. Over the next few years and continued investments, we expanded from just Laser Hair Care to bring in new treatments, such as tattoo removal, skin rejuvenations as well as buying out other laser clinics. It wasn’t until we started “The Injectionist & Aesthetics” (formerly “YYC Injectionist”) that I personally found my true calling in the cosmetics industry.
While pregnant with my first child, I planned the expansion of the injectables division and remarkably only two weeks after becoming a first-time mom, started “YYC Injectionist”. A few years and new locations later, we then expanded into Edmonton, including signing the lease at our new location only 3 days after giving birth to our second child. While to many this appears to be an impossible feat, it is now a running joke in the office that I start a new branch with every child I have. As a mother building a new business, one can imagine that days were long, but as a true entrepreneur, I stuck with my vision to create The Injectionist as the vision I have been passionate about since the start. In it's simplest form, the purpose of The Injectionist is to help people reclaim their self-assurance in their lives by achieving their aesthetic goals. With our team of practitioners, we aim to make an impact in the lives of everyday people with every individual we treat, knowing utmost the emotional connection we all feel with our appearance and aesthetic. It’s common to have clients leave with tears of joy from how much more confident they feel after a visit. That embraces the whole aspect of our clinic, by assisting with our client needs, not just physically, but emotionally. The Injectionist is a staple for our clients to have an opportunity to feel proud in their own skin by providing procedures that make our clients feel confident in their own skin. The Injectionist not only continues to bring the safest and most innovative advanced technology to our locations, even in the past years investing over $400,000.00 in advanced education globally, but actively works to end the stigmas of ageism and genderism within the industry. A personal goal for my business is achieved by advocating significantly for the mental health of men as there is a disproportionate number of resources for men looking to improve their physical appearance, or the social stigma to avoid cosmetic procedures to aid them in their goals. This is often a space that is unrepresented in society and men can feel judgment for seeking out these treatments. A main focus within our clinics is to take great care in ensuring every individual is graced with respect, humility and the highest level of attention to their needs. Since 2017 having over sixty-six thousand appointments to date and more booked everyday, our team and I have helped over seventeen thousand clients to feel and act with full confidence in themselves.
Which milestones have marked meeting benchmarks towards the fulfillment of your personal goals/ the company's vision and goals?
With hard word, a fantastic team, and a focus on the advancements we wanted to bring in around the world, our name grew to be a global presence in the industry. Clients and big names from the USA and even as far as China, Dubai and even Australia, have been all catching flights to received the level of quality care provided by our team. As of 2023, we have built a new clinic in Calgary, and transitioned from a pilot clinic into a massive new clinic in Edmonton. We are in the process of expanding into BC.
We continue to have big dreams and plans over the years. As mentioned, we have invested over $400,000 in education and millions in technology to bring the top advancements and techniques to Calgary and Edmonton. Furthermore, with plans currently on the go, we are building our own Education Academy, and are currently working towards getting SCC accreditation ; I am passionate about this to help expand knowledge in the local and national industry, creating a safer and more advanced scope for clients and providers alike. Furthermore, we have also patented several of the techniques our team and I have developed as part of the process. Another next big step we are looking forward to in the future is to franchise “The injectionist,” once all of our current plans are implemented. We will ensure consistent quality of procedures delivered to all patients under our brand, within North America. The Injectionist has received global attention, which was evidenced when a new Laser Technology, “Avi Clear,” from an international corporation, was rolled out in Canada; our clinic was hand-chosen as one of the first in Western Canada to launch the award-winning technology.
Which steps have you taken for the company to achieve the level of consumer trust that has been nationally recognized?
We have been considered “first movers” in the Canadian injections and aesthetics industry. Personally, we have brought countless new, more effective and safer techniques to the city that were often not even seen in Canada yet. The clinic is offering globally-leading technology that is unsurpassed in both, results and safety, for all cosmetic needs. Even with everything we have on-the-go and are currently planning, we are constantly researching and investing in new education to bring improvement to our patients and continue to seek global resources in order to bring change to the industry. In order to deliver this unmatched quality of services, all of our team members have to undergo extensive training, which can take between 3-4 months, and up to a year of constant understudying. Between studying, modules, months of hands-on training and 1-1 mentorship, this uninterrupted care allows our staff to emerge as superstars when they are enlisted to perform treatments.
What part of your education or other experiences do you feel was the most helpful in preparing you for success?
Being on-site and interacting with clients has been my biggest insight into our success. Determining needs, expectations and intricate demands has aided in the progression of our successes, awards and accurate evaluation of the best value for our clientele. Though a lot of projects have myself and my husband off site, I make it a goal to ensure I am still in the clinic and in talks with our clients to gauge the requirements our new, returning or inquiring clients are seeking. Without this personal touch or knowledge, I do not believe we would have the particular insight into what the next move, investment or scope of practice would be to best serve our clients nor gain the recognition or success we have had to date.
Which strategies have you found the most effective in growing your audience/ bringing awareness of your service to a larger consumer group?
Social media has resulted in the biggest reach in terms of gaining awareness and being searchable and attainable to our clients. Google, radio, TV and the likes have all been heavily invested in in the past to ensure a range of branding and awareness, and have these have produced results. However, a lot of consumers are readily active on social media and that serves a great purpose for more than just advertising. Educating the consumer on options that are now available that may have not been in the past has been an effective brand awareness strategy. Our industry is ever-evolving, and though we are heavily invested in keeping up with the education and services we provide, utilizing keywords on Google or a 15-second advertisement won't properly engage clients into the full scope of options readily available for their needs.
Which partnerships, if any, have been the most constructive in bringing your goals closer to becoming a reality?
Local business partnerships and influencer awareness/reach have been instrumental in starting conversations with potential clients. However our own marketing team, online presence, and creative education has been monumental in providing education to the general public about what can be achieved today.
Are there any challenges that made it difficult to continue operation and that you managed to overcome? What was your approach to get past these?
Due to lack of knowledge within both, the industry and publicly available information, a lot of easily addressed challenges our clients are facing can be regarded as untreatable or unattainable. This is why our team is working so hard to invest in both, training institutions and marketing creatives to assist in educating the public on their options and allowing them a safe place to feel comfortable to consult about it in. In the past, both lasers and aesthetics and certainly injectables have been heavily marketed as an anti-aging and female-predominant solution. We are here to break that mold and aid the consumer in understanding that all are welcome, and all age concerns can be addressed. Though both are tough stigmas to move past, we have seen a 40%+ increase in the past year to two years in the male demographic profile, and we also are one of the top clinics for 40 and below age groups to address everything from skin concerns to preventative aging and progressive treatment options.
How do you balance work, passions/hobbies, and relationships?
In my personal life as a mother, wife, daughter and the likes, I have found it challenging to put the electronics down and enjoy one-on-one time with my loved ones as my drive and personal attachment to the services we provide are ongoing and ever-evolving with the industry - not to mention the demand getting bigger and bigger. My biggest and best approach to be able to balance work and home life is leveraging my staff. Putting people in place with designated focus has allocated me both more time, and more peace of mind that my clinics are being run with the same vision and care that I provide - without my hand on the dial at every moment.
What advice would you like to give readers that hope to achieve success in your field?
Never stop evolving. The biggest inspiration that I have had in my career is that so many get into this field to offer a few treatments that are popular in demand and never seek to grow from it. Continuously re-investing and re-inventing for more advanced outcomes with better knowledge will always be the main play of the industry. "Cancel culture" is real within the injectables community, specifically. Quick are those who have not sought out external or new advancements to discredit its validity. Always research with due diligence and time, and allow yourself the grace to explore and investigate new techniques or solutions to common treatments and concerns.
Is there anything else you would like to share with Winner Magazine readers?
We couldn't be more proud, humbled or feel more recognized than with the recognition of the Top Choice Awards and for all of our amazing and supportive clients that continue to trust in us with their needs.
We thank Nika for sharing these insights and experiences with Winner Magazine's readers. If you are looking for Cosmetic Clinic Services in the Calgary or Edmonton Area, we would recommend reaching out to Nika at The Injectionist & Aesthetics!
