Meet Kelly Harfouche

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelly Harfouche a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

From the moment I was born, there was a man in my life who was a close friend of my parents and had a profound influence on me. His name was Mr. Kenny, and though he was blind, he never let that define him or hold him back. He was the kindest and most loving person I’ve ever known, demonstrating a type of love for others that I wish everyone could experience. Growing up, I admired his interactions with people, which taught me what true kindness and compassion look like. Despite his disability, he devoted his life to helping others, and I found that incredibly inspiring. Another significant reason for my empathetic nature is my cousin Miranda. She is a true blessing, born with conditions that limit her in ways many people take for granted. In our family, we were always encouraged to love and support others, especially those less fortunate than ourselves. I believe these strong values guided me toward my nursing career.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’ve always embraced my artistic side in various forms, from painting and stained glass to jewelry making and creating fashion, makeup, and hair looks. When I entered the field of aesthetic medicine and began injecting over eight years ago, it felt like the perfect fit. I finally discovered a passion that beautifully combined my two favorite areas: science and art.
This February, I founded KQ Aesthetic Society, building my brand on several principles, with the core one being “inclusive luxury.” My goal is to bless hardworking and deserving individuals with the chance to feel like royalty. For Mother’s Day this year, I had the pleasure of gifting complimentary makeovers to two mothers of students from a nonprofit I work with, hoping to honor their years of dedication to their families. I aspire to inspire others to give back when they can, and by supporting KQ, you’re also supporting those in need. As my business grows, I’m committed to expanding my philanthropic efforts, as I firmly believe in uplifting those around us.
I’m incredibly proud to share that last weekend, I was the designer behind A Bridge for Kids 12th annual gala, a nonprofit dedicated to helping underprivileged and under-resourced teenagers. We raised over $330,000, which will provide young and gifted students in underserved and underprivileged areas with the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I believe that authenticity, drive, and kindness are the three key qualities that have brought me to where I am today. I feel incredibly fortunate that many of my patients have stayed with me for years; I think this is because my genuine caring for their well-being has never been questioned. Throughout my nursing career, I’ve worked two jobs until this past May when I had to leave my critical care RN position to focus on my FNP studies and the additional clinical hours that required more of my time. The people in my life have always recognized these traits and have actively supported me in reaching my goals because of it.

My advice for those in a similar situation or just starting out is to seek out mentors you respect and admire. Surround yourself with individuals who will challenge you, motivate you, and support your growth.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I believe the most significant thing my parents did for me was to provide everything I needed while giving me nothing I wanted. I got my first job as a lifeguard at 15, and since graduating high school, I’ve always juggled two jobs to create the life I envisioned. My dad instilled in me the motto, “if you’re going to play hard, you have to work hard.” That mindset led me to work in Trauma ICU and medical aesthetics for eight years before I fully committed to aesthetics (though I’m still semi-part-time while finishing my master’s).

I believe that hard work and a genuine passion for what you do can lead you to the lifestyle you desire, but ultimately, it’s in your hands.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kqaestheticsociety.com/
• Instagram: Aestheticsbykhan , KQaestheticsociety
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kqaestheticsociety?_rdr

Image Credits

Altstd.co