Meet Kikue Fiora

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kikue Fiora. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kikue below.

Hi Kikue, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

Let’s start by defining imposter syndrome: that inner voice that says you’re not experienced enough, prepared enough, or that you don’t belong, despite evidence to the contrary. It holds so many of us back from stepping into our full potential. We’re all familiar with that voice, especially when we’re starting something new.

How did I overcome it? First off, overcoming imposture syndrome is never a “one and done” thing, but a skill you build over time. It’s totally normal if you’re someone who’s always hungry to learn and grow, because you will always be “new” at something and feel like you suck at it. But you can quiet that negative voice through self-awareness and recognizing that negative inner dialogue when it shows up. Once you recognize it, you replace it with self-trust, self-respect, and courage.

When I founded Fiora Aesthetics and left my full-time job to become an entrepreneur, I felt major imposter syndrome. I always worked for someone else and had no experience starting a business. I was a confident Lead Clinician doing the most advanced services offered at a big med spa chain; then left to start Fiora and was suddenly surrounded by boutique clinics with master injectors doing more advanced techniques. It was hard not to compare myself – especially on social media – and I felt behind. I constantly reminded myself not to compare my step 2 to someone else’s step 20. And I chose to learn from and be inspired by the injectors who were where I wanted to be.

When I opened Fiora, I overcame imposture syndrome by grounding myself in truth: my patients were happy. They trusted me, and I trusted myself. I knew I was safe, skilled, and ethical — never performing treatments I wasn’t fully comfortable with or trained in. I reminded myself that even the most respected injectors out there are still learning, still evolving. And that’s not a weakness, it’s the mark of a true professional. We owe it to our patients to constantly learn the best techniques and stay educated, especially as licensed medical professionals. So I sought out continuous training and consciously chose to see knowledge as abundant. That mindset shift turned comparison into inspiration, and fear into fuel.

So, if you’re struggling with imposter syndrome: remember, confidence isn’t the absence of doubt — it’s moving forward anyway, anchored in your integrity, self-respect, and your willingness to grow.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At Fiora Aesthetics, our mission is to help you feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and confident. Every treatment starts with a thoughtful, thorough assessment and a full beauty care plan tailored to you — your features, your goals, and your version of graceful aging. Together with our Medical Director, Dr. Evan Vidal, we’re deeply committed to giving you the best results while also supporting your overall well-being.

We specialize in medical-grade aesthetic treatments like neurotoxins, high-quality hyaluronic acid fillers, biostimulants and collagen stimulators, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), microneedling, hair restoration, and more. What sets us apart is our focus on full-face harmony. For example, while you may come in thinking you need lip filler to enhance your lips, we might find that restoring volume to the cheeks and chin actually gives you a more natural and balanced result — and makes your lips shine even more.

What’s upcoming? Dr. Vidal and I are both passionate about health and wellness in our own lives, and we’re bringing that into the clinic. We launched Vitamin B12 shots earlier this year, and our patients are absolutely loving the boost in energy and mood. We’re excited to expand into wellness-based treatments that support beauty from the inside out — because when you feel good, you look even better.

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

Looking back, the most impactful qualities for starting a business revolve around having the right mindset. Top three most important would be tenacity, being caring, and having an abundance mindset.

Tenacity means having the mental or moral strength to persist through hardship. It’s essential as a first time business owner learning the ropes. The best advice I can give is to never give up, even when you feel like it. If you are someone who wants to go from being an employee to self-employed to business owner, you have to promise yourself to keep moving forward, even when times get hard and you feel discouraged. And if you have a support system, let them in. My mom, dad, sisters, and friends were my biggest cheerleaders, and they fueled my tenacity when I needed it the most.

You also have to care. This isn’t a skill, it’s a mindset. Care about the safety of your clients, quality of your work, and most importantly, care about yourself and your support system. If you stop caring about any of these things it will permeate into your business and you will fail. It’s harsh, but true. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to find something you genuinely care about before transforming it into a business. It will keep you and your clients happy!

The third most impactful quality is having an abundance mindset, which means believing there’s enough success, opportunity, and growth for everyone. Instead of seeing others as competition, you see them as inspiration or collaborators. Scarcity says, “There are too many injectors in my area, there’s no room for me.” Abundance says, “There’s more than enough space for my unique voice and skillset.” I absolutely love my peers, and the more I lift others the happier I feel. As an entrepreneur, this mindset is everything — it keeps you focused on growth over fear, solutions over setbacks, and long-term vision over short-term comparison. When you operate from abundance, you attract aligned clients, build authentic connections, and stay open to new ideas — all of which fuel a thriving, sustainable business.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The people who have helped me the most in overcoming challenges and finding success are without a doubt my family — my mom, dad, sisters, closest peers and friends. They are my foundation, my safe place, and my biggest cheerleaders. I think a lot of us can relate to having a hard time letting others in emotionally. I tend to internalize struggles and focus on staying positive, not wanting to burden anyone with my hardships. But I’ve learned that letting the people who love you really show up for you — even just by listening — is such an essential part of growing together. Whether your support system is a whole village or one special person — your child, a grandparent, a best friend, a sibling — those relationships matter deeply. They remind you who you are, especially when self-doubt creeps in, and they help carry you through the hard seasons so you can rise stronger.

If you have family, friends, and peers like mine who say “I’m so excited for you, you’re going to be amazing!” then you’re surrounded by the right people. Even my fellow injectors, who some might see as competition, were genuinely excited for me and ready to offer support in any way they could. Those are the people you want in your corner — the ones who celebrate your wins as if they’re their own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fioraaesthetics.com
• Instagram: @fiora_aesthetics
• Facebook: Fiora Aesthetics
• Other: Google profile: https://g.co/kgs/RSk3eeb

Image Credits

Srgnt Photos (portrait photos only)