Meet the Members: Eternal Beauty Institute YQR

Long-time friends Larissa Kowal and Michelle Donison, along with Eternal Beauty founder and president, Barb McBean, opened Eternal Beauty Institute YQR in November of 2020. Eternal Beauty Institute YQR is not only a full-service medi-spa, but they also offer numerous courses in medical esthetics, including laser, eyelash extensions, teeth whitening, micropigmentation, nail and skin courses, as well as many others.

“We have everything from taking a basic facials class to becoming a laser specialist and learning how to operate a variety of different lasers. You could become a professional lash specialist, micropigmentation specialist; we offer a variety of different programs in length to suit everybody’s needs. Some people are currently not working and they have an entire semester to take time off and pursue a long-term program; some people are already currently a registered esthetician and just want to add another course to their repertoire and take single-day or two-day course in chemical peels or facials or spa massage, so we’re catering to different areas of the industry, both long-term education as well as short-term,” said Michelle.

This allows Eternal Beauty Institute YQR to serve all types of students, from those looking for shorter or introductory courses to longer and more intensive ones. They’ve also applied for a vocational license, which would allow them to offer semester-long courses, and they’re also looking at adding courses in Botox and dermal fillers to their lineup as well.

Not only was starting Eternal Beauty Institute YQR fueled by Larissa and Michelle’s mutual desire to work for themselves and own their own business, but they were also motivated by teaching others and providing their students with the tools to start their own businesses as well.

“It’s more about the freedom we offer other people to start their own business. A lot of our business model encourages other people to start their own business, be their own boss, support themselves,” said Larissa.

“We wanted to be able to help other people start their own businesses. Especially with the pandemic, a lot of people lost their jobs or had a serious reduction in work. I think by opening the school, not only are we giving ourselves an opportunity to start a new career, but we’re helping other people have the opportunity to start their own career, which I think is what a lot of people need right now. A lot of industries have died off or have been greatly affected by the pandemic, and by our advancing this business opportunity, we’re also helping other people advance in their careers and discover that there are other ways to make money. It’s never too late to start; it’s never too late to own your own business, and it’s never too late to work for yourself and do what you want to do and do what you’re really passionate about. The school gave us the opportunity to do that,” Michelle added.

This mindset of working with others is also part of the reason Larissa and Michelle enjoy owning a business in the District.

“I love the atmosphere. I love being surrounded by a lot of local businesses, and I think the Warehouse District is really up-and-coming, and I’ve seen a lot of growth in the last few years in local businesses moving into this area. So I like the idea of working close with local businesses and belonging to a community of other people who want to support local businesses,” said Michelle.

“The whole part of revitalizing Regina and revitalizing the community and being that the Warehouse District is the heart of Regina that I just love that we’re adding to that and adding extra services and extra interest and value to the community,” Larissa added.

Eternal Beauty Institute YQR is located at 1221 Osler St, and you can check out their full list of courses and services on their website.