Meet Kaleia Hardeman of Pure Magic Aesthetics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaleia Hardeman.

Hi Kaleia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
First off, thank you for this opportunity! I’m grateful to be included in your publication and I’m beyond excited to connect with your readers!

A little about me … I’m a native of Atlanta. That’s right – a Grady Baby! On the maternal side of my family, I represent the fourth generation of women raised in the great city of Atlanta. Most importantly, I’m a mother to my amazing Royal Twins named Khloé and Robert. I love to travel, have great conversations, spend time with my large, close-knit family, and cheer on our home teams … Let’s Go Hawks!

Professionally, I started my beauty industry journey in late 2011 by getting lash extensions. From there, a spark was ignited, and a new love was found! I started researching the lash extension industry. I learned it was a billion-dollar industry! I was blown away! I then prayed about it; asking God if this was the path for me and, if so, to please let his will be done.

I found a local lash trainer and took a two-day course in November 2011. By the very next month, I’d enrolled in esthetics school. I attended classes in the evening while working a full-time job (I was a treatment coordinator at an area orthodontic office). I started my lash extensions business out of my home in Atlanta shortly thereafter.

Eye Magic International was officially born in 2011! To say I was a “busy bee” would be an understatement. I was working a full-time job, making A’s in esthetic school, and building a thriving lash business out of my home!

After I graduated from esthetics school, I accelerated my endeavors … I was ready to go to the next level. I became a licensed esthetician, and I opened the first lash salon in Houston County, Georgia!

It was such an exciting time and the middle-Georgia community welcomed Eye Magic International with open arms. Robbins Air Force base played a huge part in our success because I got to service clients from all over the globe! I was still seeing my Atlanta clients Monday – Thursday and my middle-Georgia clients Friday – Saturday.

In 2014, I resigned from my job at the orthodontic office. All I can say is things went from good to great and there was no turning back for Kaleia! In November of that year, I finally moved my Atlanta-based business out of my home to make room for the arrival of my children who were born that year. Our new location was on Cheshire Bridge Road.

Shortly after giving birth to my babies, I knew traveling back and forth between Atlanta and Houston County wasn’t going to work for my family, so I said goodbye to all my amazing clients in Houston and I focused on motherhood as well as my Atlanta business full-time.

In November 2017, we relocated to our current location 1790 Cheshire Bridge Road #107 Atlanta, GA.

I won’t lie by saying things have been a cakewalk because it certainly hasn’t. Nevertheless, I’ve learned, pivoted, kept my faith, and simply trusted the process! I’ve had my share of trials and tribulations, but it’s all been worth it. I continue to evolve by investing in myself and my business as I have a passion for continued education.

Every year I take a new class(es) and attend beauty shows/conferences all over the globe – NYC, Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Paris, London, Colombia, Mexico just to name a few. I never want to get left behind in this ever-changing, fast-moving beauty business; therefore, I’m always a student. I’m always learning!

I’m also an educator. I have trained over 300 lash stylists from all over the USA, approximately five countries, and three US territories. My goal for all my students is for them to supersede me in business. I couldn’t be prouder of some of my lash students who are doing big and great things in the beauty industry. As a matter of fact, a couple of my students have been featured in this magazine!

I am grateful for my accomplishments and I’m happy with the progress my business is making. We have come a long way from just offering lash extensions! We now offer complete and wholistic esthetic services. This includes advanced skincare specializing in microneedling with Exosomes, non-invasive body sculpting, pre- and post-op care, vaginal rejuvenation, and mole (DPN) removal, just to name a few!

I am also excited to announce we have rebranded to better represent who we are, what services we provide, and how we help our clients achieve their beauty goals. We are now Pure Magic Aesthetics. Even more exciting, in the coming weeks we will officially be Pure Magic Aesthetics Medspa!!!!!!!

Believe it or not, there’s more!

I’m also the co-owner of Royal International Beauty Institute in Atlanta. This is an education and professional development endeavor.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Heck no! It certainly has not been an easy or smooth path. However, this path has made me into the professional I am today.

I studied biology in college. Having known what I now know, I would have majored or, at the very least, taken a few business/finance classes. I’ve had to learn as I go and I’ve encountered a number of challenges due to not knowing the proper way to manage a business in certain aspects such as having the right systems and structures in place, securing funding, utilizing business credit instead of my personal credit, and having the right work life balance. Finally, learning the ebbs and flow of business has not been easy. Instead of going to business school, I got on-the-job training, so you can almost say I’ve received a real-world MBA.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a full-service aesthetics, beauty, and wellness spa. Pure Magic Aesthetics specializes in skincare, body sculpting, post-op care, vaginal rejuvenation, and mole removal. I’m also known as The Post-Op Queen. I have a new surgery planner titled “The Ultimate Cosmetic Surgery Planner!” that will be available for pre-sale on April 25, 2022! Our YouTube Channel, Pure Magic Aesthetics, gives information about cosmetic surgery, non-invasive body sculpting, weight loss, and all things wellness and beauty!

One thing which sets Pure Magic Aesthetics apart is our customer service and attention to detail with every guest that walks through our doors.

Growing up, my dad worked at the Ritz Carlton. As a child, I saw the level of professionalism and customer service each team member gave to every guess who entered those doors. Once I started my business, I wanted to give my clients that same five-star, luxury Ritz Carlton experience!

Another thing which sets us apart is the amount of education we give our clients. I truly believe if we give our clients education about the treatments they are receiving (how and why it works), they will be better serviced.

Also, what’s said at Pure Magic Aesthetics stays there! Our clients come and have good ole fashion “therapy” sessions and they know WHATEVER is said stays right there! We have a pretty cool, dope, who’s who of Atlanta clientele which consist of professionals, entertainers, socialites, and trailblazers! It’s one of our missions that our clients feel 100% comfortable coming to us knowing as they know their business won’t be blasted all over the blogs!

I’m most proud of the overall growth of my business! Starting out of my 1,000 sq. ft. loft only offering eyelash extensions, to being the first lash salon in middle Georgia to now Pure Magic Aesthetics Beauty & Wellness Spa with over 1,700 sq. ft which will soon transition into Pure Magic Aesthetics Medspa in Buckhead! Being a published author and having one of the best aesthetics training schools in the state of Georgia, Royal International Beauty Institute (Co-owned with my friend and business partner, Eboni Passmore) are points of pride for me.

I want your readers to know this hasn’t been an easy journey but with my faith in God, it’s been worth it! Never stop learning…NEVER!

Pure Magic Aesthetics is a lifestyle brand for all things beauty, luxury, and wellness! Clients (Female, Male, Trans) may come in for post-op care/body sculpting but stay for the overall wellness, nutrition, and anti-aging services. They become lifetime clients who refer their family and friends to us because they know once they walk through the doors, they will be treated with the utmost respect and given the royal treatment!

Our clients (we call them Beauties and Rockstars) come in as clients/guests and leave as close friends/family. We want your readers to know we love and value all our clients and we never take them for granted. We’re licensed and fully trained by the best; we offer the best and most effective treatments and products.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I do consider myself a risk-taker! Getting into the beauty industry was a big risk. No one in my immediate family was in the beauty industry nor, at the time running, their own business. I took a big leap of faith (risk)! When I told my family I was going to take a lash class for which I had to borrow money from my Grandmother Minnie and I eventually would quit my job, some of them laughed – said I was crazy, but I was not deterred. It was my vision, not theirs so I didn’t expect them to understand! I was thankful for my mom who has always been by my side. She encouraged me from day one! And, just so you know, I paid my grandmother back!

I believe taking risks is all a part of life and growth. Being a risk-taker has paid off for me majorly, especially in business!

I have made sure to surround myself with wise mentors along the way. One of my best mentors is Joan Bell Carol! She’s a giant in the beauty industry. She opened the first brow salon (Browz) in Dekalb county. Joan helped me and countless others navigate through this ever-changing beauty industry! If you don’t take risks, I don’t know how far you’ll go in life, especially in business! I risked leaving my comfortable, decent-paying job with benefits to work for myself. If I had to do it all over again, I would JUMP at the opportunity!

Image Credits

The professional pic was taken by Nathan Pearcy @Npearcypics other pics taken at the spa on my Iphone.