We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carissa Alinat a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carissa, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
It took me a very long time. My childhood was somewhat difficult, and that impacted my confidence and self-esteem. I was never sure of myself, often relying on someone else for validation. I thought I couldn’t do much in life, and I certainly couldn’t imagine having the life I have now: a successful marriage, a loving family, a very fulfilling job, a good standard of living, and national recognition in my career.
At some point, I was a single mother with no job, no money and no goals. But I decided to go back to school, and that coincided to the time I met my husband. He provided such a safe place for me that I was allowed to flourish, affirm my goals, feel more confident, and not give up.
That new environment allowed me to be successful, to be me. I haven’t stopped since. I pursued a new career, got my PhD, started a business thanks to my business partner Katie Kaffai, and got national recognition through hard work and feeling like the sky was the limit.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Along with my business partners, I own Living Young Center, a growing chain of Medical Spas in the Tampa Bay area. I am a Master Injector and was recognized one of the TOP 100 Best Aesthetic Injectors in America in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Basically, I fight wrinkles and help my patients feel their best. An injector uses Botox and dermal fillers to give patients their natural beauty back. It’s a very fulfilling job. I sometimes have patients cry on my shoulder because I helped them get rid of an insecurity. For instance, among other treatments I do non-surgical nose jobs. It’s impressive. Patients feel insecure about the shape of their nose, and after I’m done (usually a 45 min appointment), they end up with a profile they love, instead of feeling insecure about it.
We are growing very fast. I predict that this line of work will become more common and accessible. We now see young women in their 20s do preventive Botox, and it has become much more accepted to get a treatment just like you would go to your hairdresser. I believe that’s a good thing. Nobody likes wrinkles.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I took a different path. I never thought I’d ever become an injector. I have a PhD and medical research was going to be my career. It’s only through fate, and the help of my business partner Katie Kaffai, that my career suddenly tilted towards something different: aesthetic arts.
In hindsight, it’s like I was predisposed. I am creative. I have a sense of style and a vision for what can be. I also have medical knowledge (I’m a nurse practitioner with a PhD). While I am naturally shy, feeling more confident and authoritative in my field helps me with my interaction with my patients.
If you’re reading this and are considering a career in aesthetics, you are not alone. A lot of nurse practitioners are interested and it’s a tough field to get into. I would recommend shadowing a Med Spa owner first, then take a basic class on injections to get your foot in the door.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I have been successful and most of it comes from pure luck. As well as help from people. I mentioned my husband, who has been very supportive. I also mentioned my business partner Katie Kaffai, who has first giving me the opportunity to just enter that field when I wasn’t even contemplating. Being a seasoned business owner (she started the Living Young Center brand right during the 2008 recession!) she has showed me the rope and she has always been a great inspiration, as well as a great friend. I owe her a lot.
In the end, sure, It turned out I had the right, natural skills for the job. But I would never have done it without these 2 people, and of course my growing clientele, whom I consider my friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.livingyoungcenter.com
- Instagram: @tampa_aesthetic_injector
