Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiara Kirkland.
Hi Kiara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi! My name is Kiara Kirkland, and I am so excited and honored to be a part of the Inspiring Stories series alongside so many prominent local entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders
.
I am originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, right outside of Fort Bragg, one of the largest military bases in the country. As a daughter of two Army soldiers, my brother, Khiry, and I were exposed to many different experiences, environments, and cultures from a very young age. We also lived in Fort Clayton, Panama, and Fort Wainwright, Alaska, during our childhood, which helped shape my creativity, adaptability, and appreciation for connecting with people from all walks of life.
After graduating from Reid Ross Classical High School in Fayetteville, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Fayetteville State University. While attending FSU, I worked at Renaissance Day Spa and Alternative Wellness, where I gained valuable experience in multiple roles over the years, including Spa Concierge, Spa Tender, and eventually Esthetician. That experience played a major role in shaping my understanding of professionalism, client care, and the spa industry as a whole.
As a teenager and young adult, I also experienced my own struggles with skincare. Like many people, I initially dealt with blackheads and occasional acne, but as I entered college and later my twenties, my skin concerns became much more severe. I developed cystic acne, along with hyperpigmentation and scarring, which deeply affected my confidence. Navigating those experiences gave me a personal understanding of how much skin health can affect someone emotionally and strengthened my passion for esthetics and for helping others feel confident in their skin.
My love for creativity and storytelling also led me to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Film Production from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. During the program, I learned photography, lighting, editing, set design, and cinematography, to name a few, but everything truly shifted for me once I entered the Makeup Training course. We learned practical set makeup, special effects makeup, airbrushing, and prosthetics, and I instantly became the go-to makeup artist for many of the major projects in my class and for outside productions. My passion for makeup transformations naturally expanded into costume and wardrobe styling as well, and those experiences helped deepen my love for the creative process.
After graduating from Full Sail and moving back to Fayetteville, I returned to work within the corporate office at Renaissance Day Spa and Alternative Wellness. While helping clients schedule services, plan birthday and anniversary surprises, and create meaningful experiences for loved ones — including military families separated by deployment — I realized how impactful the beauty and wellness industry could truly be. At the same time, my passion for makeup artistry, beauty, and entertainment continued to grow.
In 2015, I decided to pursue Esthetics Technology at Fayetteville Technical Community College. After earning my North Carolina esthetics license, I transitioned fully into the esthetics department at the Renaissance, where I continued developing my skills and knowledge surrounding treatments, techniques, product lines, and client care.
Over time, all of my passions — skincare, beauty, artistry, fashion, storytelling, and helping others feel confident — naturally evolved into what is now Radiantly You Aesthetics. I am now a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Radiantly You Aesthetics, a beauty and wellness brand focused on creating a relaxing, uplifting, and personalized experience for every client. My goal has always been to provide more than just services; I want each person who walks through my doors to leave feeling refreshed, encouraged, and radiant from the inside out.
In addition to esthetics, I also work as a Hair and Makeup Designer for theater productions at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, which has allowed me to combine artistry, storytelling, and beauty in a unique and fulfilling way. Creative expression has always been at the center of my journey, and I’m excited to continue growing in each industry while inspiring others along the way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has definitely not been a completely smooth road. Like many small business owners, I’ve had to navigate balancing entrepreneurship, multiple jobs, personal growth, and learning the business side of things while continuing to pursue my creative passions and long-term goals.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to keep moving forward during difficult seasons of life. Since opening my business, I unfortunately experienced the loss of my grandmother, my brother, and my grandfather within a relatively short period of time. Those losses deeply impacted me both personally and professionally, and there were moments when it felt almost unbearable to continue pushing forward while grieving.
At the same time, being a business owner requires consistency, resilience, and the ability to continue showing up for others even when life becomes overwhelming. Balancing grief, financial pressures, entrepreneurship, and multiple responsibilities has not always been easy, but those experiences have also strengthened me tremendously.
Through it all, I’ve remained focused on my faith in God and passionate about creating something meaningful through Radiantly You Aesthetics and through my creative work as a whole. My loved ones always encouraged me to pursue my dreams wholeheartedly, and that continues to motivate me to keep building, growing, and creating a life and career that would make them proud while also honoring myself and the vision I have for my future.
We’ve been impressed with Radiantly You Aesthetics, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Radiantly You Aesthetics was created with the intention of being more than just a place to receive skincare services. I wanted to create an environment where clients feel welcomed, cared for, encouraged, and able to take a moment to pour back into themselves. My goal has always been to combine results-driven skincare treatments with a relaxing and uplifting experience that allows people to leave feeling both refreshed and confident.
Radiantly You Aesthetics specializes in customized skincare treatments designed to support healthy, radiant skin while addressing each client’s individual concerns and goals. I offer services including customized facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, advanced skincare treatments, and beauty services tailored to create a personalized experience for every client. Because of my own personal journey with cystic acne, hyperpigmentation, and scarring, I understand firsthand how deeply skin concerns can affect someone’s confidence and self-esteem. That experience has helped me approach every client with empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to help them feel comfortable in their skin.
One thing that sets my brand apart is the combination of relaxation, creativity, and personalized care that I strive to bring into every appointment. I never want clients to feel like they are simply another appointment on the schedule. I truly value building relationships with people and creating an experience that feels intentional, calming, and encouraging from beginning to end.
In addition to esthetics, my background in makeup artistry, theater, and creative design has also influenced the atmosphere and branding behind Radiantly You Aesthetics. Creativity has always been a major part of who I am, and I believe that perspective allows me to bring a unique level of artistry and attention to detail into my work and the overall client experience.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that Radiantly You Aesthetics has continued to grow authentically through passion, perseverance, genuine connections with people, and a strong desire to positively impact my community.
Above all, I want readers to know that Radiantly You Aesthetics was built from a place of passion, creativity, resilience, and heart. My hope is that every person who encounters my brand feels seen, inspired, and reminded that they deserve to feel radiant both inside and out.
What’s next?
I’m excited to continue growing Radiantly You Aesthetics in a meaningful way, while also creating space for future opportunities involving beauty, media, education, fashion, and theater.
Giving back and creating meaningful experiences for others has always been incredibly important to me, and as my business continues to evolve, one of my biggest goals is to find more ways to support, encourage, and pour into the community that has supported me throughout my journey. I have been a mentor with Purposed Pearls, Inc. in Fayetteville since 2022. The impact that the organization has had on young black girls, as well as myself, is priceless.
I yearn to make a powerful difference in others by using my platform to provide mentorship and to create growth opportunities. I’m also excited to continue expanding Radiantly You Aesthetics not only within the beauty industry but within creative spaces involving media, education, artistry, and wellness as a whole.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radiantlyyouaestheticsstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiantlyyou.aesthetics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radiantlyyou.aesthetics/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@radiantlyyou.aesthetics
