How did I become the Aesthetician and Businesswoman I am today? This question has been difficult for me to answer because there has been nothing straightforward or easy arriving at these accomplishments. I overcame immense personal and business hardship, both of which strengthening and softening me. Although the idea of a person being strong yet soft at the same time may appear to be paradoxical, and therefore, not possible, my experiences in life have morphed me into both things. I have become more resilient and far more empathetic and compassionate towards others having been through so much myself. These qualities, in combination with my drive and unmeasurable external support, have allowed me to arrive at where I am today.
At the age of 17, I combined my interest in Aesthetics and love for positively impacting individuals lives by training to become an Aesthetician. I studied and became certified through L’Institut Jon rayMond in Moncton, New Brunswick. After completing my training, I moved from my family home in Miramichi, New Brunswick to my forever home, in Summerside, Prince Edward Island with little more than a suitcase and my internal drive. From there, I opened an aesthetic office called Mystical Touch, which I owned and operated from 1986 to 1996. From 1996 to 2001 I co-owned and operated Secret Garden and had a staff of 26 Aestheticians and Hair Stylists. Secret Garden was the first full-service spa in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. In 2002, I went on to streamline my business into advanced Aesthetics. Since then, I have owned and operated QuannSpa Holistic Beauty Therapies with a present staff of six employees.
Near the beginning of my aesthetic career in PEI, I had a lingering sense that there was something more for me in Aesthetics, which drove me to seek out the Dr. Hauschka School in Germany, an institute that teaches the importance of a holistic approach to aesthetics (only skincare). It was there that I learned about the importance of combining a nutritious diet with healthy skincare ingredients and products that utilize local and naturally sourced plant botanicals. It was also under their tutelage that my dream began to materialize- creating and manufacturing a professional, holistic, and botanically based skincare line in idyllic Prince Edward Island.
Once completing my studies in Germany, I returned to Prince Edward Island, and over the next twenty years, I performed aesthetic treatments on thousands of satisfied clients. I was not yet fulfilled as I was unable to find the holistic skincare creams and serums to achieve the results I desired for my beloved clients. I wanted to give my clients healthy and luminous skin, but every product line I tried fell short. During those years of experimentation, I nurtured my dream of creating a holistic skincare line that would perform to my exacting specifications, but, as a single Mom co-raising my two beautiful children, my dream had to wait.
After co-parenting and raising two equally special individuals, I could dedicate more time and focus to my ever-present dream. In 2005, I contracted a skincare formulator to help create the professional Quannessence Skincare line. For five years we worked tirelessly to create and perfect an entire line of products before launching the Quannessence Skincare line and incorporating BioSpa (Quann) Cosmeceuticals as the manufacturing company in 2010. Since the incorporation of BioSpa, Quannessence Skincare has expanded across Canada and is recognized for its local, botanically based and results-oriented products. We also share and teach all those who use and carry the line about the importance of holistic aesthetics.
Throughout my career in aesthetics, my thirst to gain further knowledge and skills has yet to be quenched. Over the past thirty years, I have continued to broaden and diversify my skillset through certified courses and programs. Some of these include Para-Medical Aesthetics, Healing Touch, Aroma Therapy, Endermologie, Identifying Benign Skin Disorders, Natural Energy Healing, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Holistic Health Counselling, Emotional Freedom Technique, C.O.R.E. Therapy, IPL Laser, Dermaplaning, and Micro-needling Certificate.
I will forever be on a lifelong learning path in Aesthetics, business, and personal growth, and thank all those who supported and believed in me throughout my career. I would not be here today if it were not for my united Quannessence family, Innovation PEI, the Emergence Business Mentorship Program, PEI BioAlliance, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Women in Business, and the Summerside Chamber of Commerce. Their help along with the help and support from my community, friends, and family has been unsurmountable.
With Elegance, ease, grace, and harm to none,
Sharon Quann