Meet new Chamber member: Julia Kurker, NP
JULIA KURKER, NP
699 E. Broadway
South Boston
Tell us about your business — what do you do, and what inspired you to start it? I run a medical aesthetics business, offering Botox, fillers, and other cosmetic treatments. It's now been open for 3 years! My business is located at 699 E. Broadway on the 2nd floor at House of Ivy Salon.
What sets your business apart from others in your industry? Julia Kurker, NP is a one-woman, nurse practitioner-owned business. As a client, you'll receive individualized treatments with longer appointment times and more attention to detail than you would receive at a larger med spa. I accept a smaller amount of clients than a bigger business would, and my clients will feel known and know that I remember their faces. If it takes an extra 10 minutes to map out your face and get the result you want, you'll get that time here.
Why did you choose to join the Chamber, and what do you hope to gain from your membership? I love everything South Boston and small business, so joining the Chamber was an easy decision. My hope is to connect with other small business owners and more people in Southie!
What’s one thing you love about doing business in South Boston? As if I could love living in Southie any more, doing business here means becoming even more involved in the neighborhood. I live here, raise kids here, and work here. Years back, I remember thinking how happy I would be if I could spend my days on East Broadway, and it still hasn't gotten old!
Can you share a fun fact or something people might not know about your business? This business stemmed from 18-year-old me wanting to go to hair school instead of college. While I dreamed of being in the beauty industry, I was urged to go to college, which turned into eight years of school and a Master's degree in nursing. Working as a nurse practitioner in the hospital was new and exciting for many years, but my passion for beauty turned into taking medical aesthetics classes and thinking about the possibilities. Now at age 40, medical aesthetics is my reality. The funny part is that I work above the House of Ivy Salon, and I'm getting to live the salon dream that I always wanted.
What has been your proudest moment or biggest achievement in your business so far? My proudest moment was going from a mobile business (house calls) to leasing a space of my own. The mobile business was so much fun for a while, meeting new people, and seeing so many cool homes in Southie. However, the business became self-limiting as the amount of driving, parking, setting up, etc., limits how many clients you can take. Botox can be done in a home setting but fillers cannot. Clients in downtown areas without parking didn't work for me. Having a space of my own solved all of those problems.
Are there any upcoming events, promotions, or new offerings you'd like people to know about? A fun promotion with @thesouthielinegirls just ended. I love working with them! Next up will be Black Friday for savings on Botox treatments. Stay tuned!
What advice would you give to someone just starting out? I am asked this by young nurses all the time. My advice is if you love it, get started. Take courses, and make sure they are quality courses. (The cheaper ones will leave you more confused than ever.) Starting a business will be a financial investment AND a time investment. You are usually doing it while working another job. Hire a mentor. There are many schools marketing aesthetics to nurses as a way to escape the hospital. Those schools have a financial incentive to get you into their classes. Do this because you love it and have a passion, not to escape another job. I would do my job for free if I could, that's how much I love it. But, Southie is expensive, so we can't be out here working for free. : )
Website: https://www.juliakurkernp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliakurkernp/
