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Esthetics Graduate Simona Gozner: From Dreams to Director

Hollywood doesn’t make biopics on estheticians yet. There are still a few athletes, revolutionaries and rock stars to tick off the list first. When they do get to estheticians however, they’ll probably begin with Blanche Macdonald graduate Simona Gozner.

Twenty years ago she was a refugee in a foreign land. Now, after a triumphal career, topped with two years as Western Canada’s Business Development Manager for Nordic Selfcare Institute, Simona is returning to the school as Director of Esthetics.

Simona’s incredible story begins in 1989 in her native Romania with the violent overthrow of the dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu.

“I was working for a fashion company, drawing patterns and helping with the collections,” she recalls. “I wanted to be a doctor but when the revolution happened everything changed. I went to Switzerland as a refugee in 1990. I had to learn German. I did odd jobs. It wasn’t easy, but it makes you stronger. In January 1993 my refugee status was declined and I had to go back to Romania.”

Two years later, married and mother to a nine month-old son, Simona braced herself for another momentous upheaval. Her family’s immigration papers had come through, and they were moving to Vancouver, Canada.

“The three of us came to Canada with two suitcases full of diapers and baby clothes,” she smiles. “And big dreams. I could barely speak any English. The first three years were the hardest.”

In 1998 Simona began the Esthetics program at Blanche Macdonald. Taking the course in the evening, she spent her days looking after her son and working as a room attendant at Vancouver’s Waterfront Centre Hotel.

“Coming to Blanche Macdonald was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she promises. “It changed me so much. I was qualified in a trade that I could take anywhere. And it taught me who I was, encouraged me to bring the best out of myself and think outside the box.”

Still in her twenties, Simona had moved to two countries where she didn’t speak the language, had given up an enjoyable job in fashion and was working cleaning hotel rooms to help support her family while training for a new career. And yet, listening to Simona speak, there’s not even a trace of bitterness or ‘you-think-you-had-it-tough’ swagger. Instead, there’s a modesty and calm confidence emanating from her every word. Spend a few minutes in Simona’s company and it becomes clear that you’re in the presence of a remarkable individual.

“Some of the teachers at Blanche Macdonald told me I had leadership skills,” she recalls. “I couldn’t see it. I think I was afraid of success. That’s another thing I’m really grateful to Blanche Macdonald for showing me. They saw I had potential.

“It’s hard to pinpoint one moment when I felt I’d changed, but when I put it all together I could see the end result. The standard is so high here. You have to challenge yourself and better yourself. Since graduating I’ve done presentations at other schools and they’re often too rigid. Here, if you can do it your own way, you’re encouraged to do it.

“Teachers have to be mentors, helping grow what you have inside you into something bigger than what you even dreamt. To be successful in life you need to have mentors. Every time I’ve had to make a big decision regarding my career, I always asked my teachers’ advice.”

One career decision came quickly after graduation. She took a job with Vancouver’s Absolute Spa, who soon recognised that they had someone special in their midst. After only a handful of months Simona was offered the position of Director of Esthetics, working with a staff of fifteen estheticians.

“I called Debbie Nickel at Blanche Macdonald. She told me I had it in me. Now I have a philosophy in life. If something comes your way, it means you’re ready for it. Just jump in and you’ll figure it out.

“It’s not a communist country,” she laughs, “No one’s going to shoot you if it doesn’t work out. You can’t be successful if you never fail. If you don’t try, you don’t know if you have it in you.”

She did more than succeed in her Directorial debut, winning Absolute Spa’s Employee of the Year Award in the process. Having embraced a philosophy of nothing ventured, nothing gained, after two years Simona left to become Head Esthetician at a new Vancouver spa, State of Being. As part of a launch team Simona’s eyes were opened to the business side of the spa industry. Even though State of Being wasn’t successful, she took her new skills onto her next position as Esthetician and Trainer at Vancouver’s Spa Ethos.

“I got into training more at Spa Ethos,” she explains. “When I’d made presentations at Blanche Macdonald my instructors told me that I was a great teacher. I didn’t think so. I was so shy. How could I talk in front of people? I’m still shy, but in some ways I’m courageous. I’m humble enough to realise that when you teach it’s about sharing. I’m here to share about the things I’ve done and the mistakes I’ve made. That’s the way you learn about yourself. I want to create an environment where everyone is comfortable and there’s no such thing as a stupid question.”

Simona’s career rollercoaster was reaching top speed. Already a gifted esthetician and a natural teacher, Simona wasn’t about the slow down. With a full time job she still found time to study holistic nutrition for two years (“It was important to me to have a better understanding of the human body”), take a marketing course (“It was really helpful to think about how things should happen on a bigger scale”) and an English Literature and poetry course (“When you learn a new language you’re ok in conversation, but I’m a perfectionist”).

The hard work paid off. Looking for a role that combined teaching and business, she became Account Manager for The Stal Group, covering British Columbia as the representative for French skincare line Darphin. Her successes were recognised when Nordic Selfcare approached her for the prestigious position of Development Manager for the provinces across Western Canada.

“It was a sales and training job,” she reviews. “I had to maintain accounts, prospect new accounts and make presentations to new businesses, medical spas and doctors. I really enjoyed the teaching aspect of it.”

That desire to teach was irresistible. Now she’s heading back to the school where her incredible journey began to lead the Esthetics Department. It’s a position that Debbie Nickel has brought visionary leadership to for fourteen years. As Debbie is being promoted to the position of Executive Director, Simona is the perfect candidate to fill the role.

“Going back to Blanche Macdonald feels like I’ve come full circle in my life,” smiles Simona. “It’s the beginning of a new journey that will help me grow professionally and personally. I’m looking forward to be working with amazing people. Some of them have already inspired and mentored me. Some of them will guide, teach and help me in my new role. I hope to continue Blanche Macdonald’s philosophy and bring out the best in every student, helping them reach their dreams. It’s a new challenge that scares and excites me at the same time, but isn't this the feeling everyone has when we jump into something new?”

There’s little reason for Simona to be modest. She came to Canada with little more than suitcases full of diapers and a willingness to follow her dreams. She’s always represented Blanche Macdonald. Now she’s doing it as part of the faculty team. Businesswoman. Teacher. Mother. Inspiration. And still, at the very heart of her drive, is an esthetician.

“There’s no better reward than the experiences I’ve had from clients,” she insists. “I’ve had grandmothers have their first facial and the experience brings them to tears. You make people feel good, which creates memorable moments. You also learn about yourself by meeting different people. Clients can give you a new way of looking at something. It’s therapy for me too.

“Be courageous and always have the right intention with yourself and others, and the rest will take care of itself. I truly believe that.”

Hollywood still hasn’t approached Simona. It’s only a matter of time. And in the starring role?

She laughs.

“Definitely Charlize Theron!”