Meet Anna Hopkins | Licensed Massage Therapist, Licensed Nail Technician, & Shareholder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Hopkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work life balance has changed so much over time. When I first began working at Bellezza Avanti, it was one of four jobs I had at the time. As my clientele grew, I started to leave my other jobs as Bellezza Avanti was my career. I was young and wanted to work as much as I could as who doesn’t like money? As I’ve grown older, it has become more apparent that it is essential to take time for yourself. I am so thankful that I have an amazing clientele that allows for me to work 3/4 days a week so that I have time to relax and recharge. If I don’t take care of myself, I can’t take care of my clients. The younger generation’s work life balance is one thing that I admire about them and it makes me happy that they are starting their careers already knowing how important it is to care for yourself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been a licensed massage therapist for 14 years and a licensed nail technician for 12 years now I believe. My whole career has been at Bellezza Avanti Spa/Salon and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being a massage therapist can be physically draining and hard on your body so when Geri was looking to add another nail tech to the team, she convinced me to go back to school to earn my manicurist license. And here I am, over a decade later, still going strong. People always ask me if I have a preference between the two, what do I like better, nails or massage? And I really don’t have a preference. They are both so different while being complementary to what I need in a career. I love being able to switch between the upbeat and energetic nail area in the salon to my quiet and relaxing treatment room and back throughout the day! I am also the coach for the rest of the spa team and became a shareholder in the company in Jan 2023. Being a coach and helping my spa team build their businesses and earn promotions has really helped me in my own career as it helps me reconnect and get back to some basics that I may have forgotten about or don’t focus on as much as I should. I wouldn’t be who I am without my team and everyone else at Bellezza Avanti, employee and client alike and I look forward to what the future has waiting for me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh goodness, I don’t get out much but let me think. You can’t go wrong with a trip to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to visit the Perkins Wildlife Center and spend time with the animals or the Cleveland Public Library. Afterwards, you have to hit Butcher & the Brewer, those beef sliders are to die for! The Farmer’s Table in Medina for Sunday brunch is a must – get the chicken and waffles as well as the garlic fries, you won’t regret it! And even more animals to visit and pet at Majestic Meadows in Medina!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Geri Good has consistently pushed me out of my comfort zone for 14 years. I never would have become a coach, leader, or shareholder without her guidance and her believing in me. I learned early on to trust in her experience and intuition even if it gives me anxiety and makes me nervous which we have laughed about over the years.

Website: https://bellezzaavanti.com

Image Credits
Scott Sidol Jalie Palko Toni Angulo