Kate’s career change has proved to be a success story which can inspire others
KATE Kruszynska’s story is truly an inspiring one. Perhaps her philosophy can best be summed up when she says “for me there is no impossible”. And it would seem nothing has proven impossible for Kate since she moved here from Poland where she had been working as a policewoman in the traffic accident department. She decided to follow her heart, as she had fallen in love with Jarek, now her husband and with whom she has three beautiful children. The move meant a massive career change, as once here she suddenly found herself working at a little nail table in the corner of her kitchen doing people’s nails and asking herself what supplies, a Gel system, a nail acrylic had she done, was she going to be able system and nail brushes. to continue at it at all. But there was Kate is also a qualified ITEC teacher, grit and determination there, and with and Beauty Vision Limited is an a growing clientele and the support of accredited training company with family and friends, Kate moved out Kate running fully accredited courses. of her kitchen and nails became a Kate herself is a multiple award winner full-time job for her at Colour Bar of nail competitions in Ireland and Hairdressers in Sligo town. the UK, including overall Irish Nail But, as a nail technician, Kate was Tech winner and the highest championship becoming increasingly frustrated title in Ireland, that of ‘Irish and dissatisfied with nail products National Nail Champion’. She is also a available to her on the market, multiple award winner in Nail Styling and there always seemed to be Championships all over the world. a difficulty combining quality Last year Kate represented Ireland with affordable price and in Mexico, Germany and the USA: availability. And so, taking Orlando, Texas and Ohio, where her courage in her hands, overall she won a total of 40 medals in 2015 Kate founded and trophies which she was proud to Beauty Vision Ireland in bring home to Ballisodare. She was Ballisodare, manufacturing also supremely honoured to achieve her very own nail products the American Cup, Premiere Cup, Art for direct sale to professional winner of winners and Individual Top nail salons. Scorer awards. Added to this myriad Kate put a huge amount of accolades, the success of Beauty of time and money Vision Ireland was recognised by the into testing and ‘Best Established Business’ award developing ingredients from the Local Enterprise Office in until she 2019. had what she Kate loves that she has complete felt were products control over not just her products but superior to also the packaging, the ‘look and feel, anything else and says she went for a funky modern available on the design so that they stand out from the market and, as rest. As a creative, she now has no a nail technician less than 300 colours in her palette of herself, colours. products she Kate is the creator and owner of knew were Kohana Professional. Kohana is her a winning brand of professional beauty products formula. for nails, eyelashes and eyebrows. To say The name Kohana is very special Kate has to Kate. It comes from many different gone from places like her range is very Kate strength herself. t o In Japanese, Kohana means ‘little strength is flower’, but it has two more very personal an understatement. meanings for her: She loves Walt Disney productions, and it was Among in the film Lilo & Stitch she heard the Beauty line “Ohana means family and family Vision means nobody gets left behind or forgotten”, Ireland’s suite and from there the Kohana of nail salon name was born: prefacing ‘Ohana’ supplies are nail meaning family, with ‘K’ for Kate, art and nail gel together they made ‘Kohana’, for
Kate’s family. The other very special meaning Kohana holds for Kate is that in Polish it means ‘loved one’, and so she thought the word was just perfect for her brand name, because every person is loved and considered family.
Kate hopes her story will inspire others, to show how it’s possible to achieve your goals with hard work and determination even if you have to start from the very bottom to build yourself up. She feels her story also shows that the nail industry has become huge business in today’s world, and how much of a huge success the nail business can be.
Kate said: “There are so many amazing opportunities for people to grow. Everyone has the power to completely change their life or career at any stage. For myself it was an amazing journey from policewoman to successful businesswoman, influencer and international multi-awards winner. I am originally from
Poland but my home is here in Ireland, this country has given me the amazing opportunity to spread my wings.
“I am so proud to represent Ireland all over the world in nail competitions and I am truly honoured that I can run a successful Irish company and make my customers happy with our products here in the Irish market.
“Behind the world of my business I am a loving wife and a mother to three wonderful children. I’m a big animal lover as well, with two dogs and a cat at home.
“I love travelling and trying different foods, and I’m hugely passionate about a fit and healthy lifestyle.
“I have been sharing my work and knowledge on social media to help others for a while now, and I absolutely love this element of my work. I started posting on different social media platforms three years ago and since then I have reached over 60,000 followers which is just wonderful. The content I share is all about nails, nail art and beauty as well as my business.
“To think that I am sharing my creativity with so many is an amazing feeling for me, and being able to meet other nail enthusiasts through the world of social media is exciting.
“I enjoy teaching people who are also passionate about this line of work through my courses and I pride myself on Kohana being a place where someone can learn new skills in a great atmosphere.
“I’m so thankful for the life this business has given me. Not everyone can say that they love their job, but I am one of the lucky few who can.”