Ness Duarte shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Ness , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My first 90 minutes are non-negotiable. I start with yoga and gratitude to get centered and grounded—it’s my way of choosing my mindset before the world chooses it for me. After that, I do 30 minutes of cardio to wake up my energy, followed by 30 minutes of weight training to build strength. That routine keeps me mentally clear, physically strong, and ready to show up fully for my clients and my business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Vanessa, and I’m the founder of SmoothHouse Laser, a boutique laser and advanced skincare studio in the Ravenswood Corridor of Chicago. I started my journey in aesthetics in 2020, during the pandemic, when I realized I wanted to shift away from hospitality and move into a career where I could genuinely help people feel better in their own skin. I’m also a trained dietitian, which allows me to approach skin and body treatments from a more holistic, science-driven perspective. The mission—‘leave people better than I found them’—still guides everything I do.
At SmoothHouse Laser, I combine clinical technology with an individualized, concierge-style experience. Clients come in for laser hair removal, corrective skincare, body sculpting, and facials, but what truly sets my brand apart is the educational, whole-person approach. I don’t believe in fluff or fads—I believe in long-term results and helping people understand their skin from the inside out.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding community outreach, launching new events, and introducing even more advanced treatments into the studio. My goal is to create an elevated, approachable space where people feel seen, supported, and confident enough to show up as their best selves.”
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a performer at heart. I was the girl who dreamed of being in a girl band one minute, and becoming both a doctor *and* a lawyer the next. I had this big, fearless imagination and a deep desire to heal, help, and entertain all at once. Looking back, that mix makes sense—today I get to blend science, care, and a little bit of showmanship in the way I educate and empower my clients. I didn’t become a pop star, a doctor, or a lawyer, but I did become someone who helps people feel better in their own skin, and that feels just as fulfilling.”**
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me something success never could: how to work with the hand I was given and still create something meaningful out of it. When everything feels limited, you’re forced to learn the fundamentals—resourcefulness, resilience, and creativity. Those foundations shaped the way I think, the way I problem-solve, and the way I build my business today. Success feels great, but struggle is where I learned how to innovate, how to trust myself, and how to turn obstacles into opportunity.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
For me, differentiating between a fad and a true foundational shift always comes down to two things: the science and the accessibility. Fads usually rely on hype, pretty packaging, and a high price point. Foundational shifts, on the other hand, are rooted in consistent clinical research, clear mechanisms of action, and results that can be reproduced across different skin types and lifestyles.
Because I’m a founder and a dietitian, I look at products and treatments the same way I look at nutrition science—you need evidence, not just excitement. I always ask: How does it work physiologically? Is it targeting a real biological pathway? Can the average person access it, use it correctly, and actually benefit from it? If the answer is yes, that’s a shift. If the answer leans toward marketing buzzwords and exclusivity, it’s usually a fad.
The beauty industry offers endless options, but accessibility matters just as much as effectiveness. Real innovation shouldn’t only live behind luxury price tags. True foundational shifts elevate results, empower the consumer with understanding, and make good science available to more people—not less.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had ten years left, I’d immediately stop doing anything that feels like chaos and start living like a peaceful monk. Picture me in robes, sipping herbal tea, minding my business, and refusing to argue with anyone about anything—ever again. It’s also an everyday practice 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SmoothHouseLaser.Com
- Instagram: NessTheLaserGirl
- Facebook: SmoothHouseLaser
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