9 minute read

The Vision, Leadership and Nationally Acclaimed Success of Luminary Melbourne

By Louise May

From humble beginnings as a solo operator in 2020 to becoming a nationally acclaimed clinic, Luminary Melbourne’s rise is nothing short of extraordinary. Under the vision and leadership of Nicolette Kocsi Goldberg, the clinic has achieved remarkable milestones, including winning Sole Operator of the Year in 2021 and 2022, VIC/TAS/SA Clinic of the Year in 2023 and 2024, and now being crowned Australian Spa/Salon/Clinic of The Year for 4 Treatment Rooms or Less.

This journey speaks to more than just accolades—it’s a testament to Nicolette and her team’s dedication to redefining the client experience. By combining luxury, clinical precision, and the power of human touch, Luminary Melbourne has become a sanctuary for those seeking both relaxation and transformative skin results.

Editor Louise May chats with Nicolette about her journey, the values driving Luminary Melbourne, and her vision for redefining skin care.

Can you tell us about your journey, and how the consistent growth and success has influenced your vision for Luminary Melbourne?

When you write out all our achievements over the past 4 years it does feel like an unbelievable dream. When I opened as a sole operator I opened a clinic with 2 treatment room capacity, we invested in equipment, facilities, and education from the start. While I started as a sole operator in the middle of Covid my vision was always to have 3 treatment rooms, a growing team, delivering luxury services combining both the clinical and spa aspects of skin, delivering high end clinical results.

I really felt like (especially in Melbourne) we lost touch in the treatment room, and I wanted to change this by instead of treating clients like a number treating them like people. I really wanted to change the culture in skin clinics and slow things down not only as a therapist but also for clients, we actively work only in skin, listening to their concerns and creating treatment plans is the core foundation of our success, our entire vision is to create long term success with our clients through skin. Our growth is because of our clients, by creating that connection while delivering results.

How do you instil Luminary’s values and vision in your team?

Finding our team has been no easy task, as our values and vision is on such a high level it’s a lot for any therapist to take on. We put a huge focus on training, which we do weekly, and our teams personal growth and development is our highest priority. We are constantly growing and evolving our processes, following direct client feedback and therapist feedback to ensure seamless operations, our team are amazing and passionate which is an intoxicating culture to be around.

We all want the best for our clients as well as each other, we have truly become a family who cares completely about each other. Our team is something we are incredibly proud of, as we operate all on the same frequency, we all have complete trust in each other’s ability to deliver client care every single time.

How do you ensure every team member delivers consistent results and client satisfaction?

The dynamic is different in our business because I am both hands on and a leader in the team As a leader I truly feel like I have a great personal and professional relationship with my team, our communication individually and as a team has really grown through mentoring, our proudest achievement is our Junior Program; Sara and Shay came into our business with no experience and are now treating at a senior therapist level over the past 12 months. Watching the confidence grow also with our Senior leaders in the team, I’m so proud that everyone is constantly learning and growing not only from myself as their mentor but from each other, consistent results and client satisfaction has become second nature to us all.

Luminary Melbourne combines holistic methods with advanced clinical treatments. What inspired you to create this unique blend, and how has it been received by clients?

I really disliked the rushed aspect of clinical treatments and the lack of touch from previous workplaces. I felt like I never had enough time with clients to deliver the education and care that they deserved. I felt there was always a huge gap in the knowledge from what we are taught at university and product houses. I travelled to New York to complete a 5-day intensive course on the Dr. Vodder method of lymphatic drainage. This course changed my whole view on knowledge and the power of our hands. Which opened up a whole change in myself and the business.

I quickly learnt the Gua Sha Fusion Facial, Buccal facial sculpting treatments and Qi 24K Micro Magnet Facials. These treatments have changed our business. We not only understand the lymphatic system and the effects it has on the entire body but how to improve our clients skin. We are able to give clients more options especially to those that are not ready or not interested in injectable treatments. It’s also given us so many more treatment options allowing us to treat inflammation in the skin, which we know is the root cause of so many skin conditions. These treatments deliver high impact results while delivering amazing calming, relaxation benefits. It truly is a joy to deliver the best of both worlds allowing our clients complete Zen when they leave our clinic.

Your emphasis on the power of ‘touch’ in treatments sets you apart. Why is this so important to you, and how does it elevate the client experience?

It’s not just about touch in our clinic it’s about complete customisation of every treatment. We customise every cleanse, exfoliation, infusion, led light and mask. While we have our protocols in place we also have that deep understanding that skin is a journey, and It does go through changes along the way. We offer clients options and solutions to treat the root cause, delivering that long term result.

Introducing Circadia Skin has driven both treatment and retail growth for your clinic. What made you choose to partner with Circadia, and how does it fit your philosophy?

I wanted something different for our clients. I wanted a brand you couldn’t purchase online, and I wanted something not everyone had. I love that we prescribe it directly to clients. Circadia is based on the circadian rhythm of the body, adding nutrients and protection from the sun during the day and allowing the skin to repair and regenerate in the evening. Its strong focus on delivering long term results – skin is a lifelong journey with lots of changes along the way. Circadia allows that customisation for clients.

How has Circadia’s support, including training and product innovation, impacted your team and client outcomes?

We love how Circadia Aus & USA operate. They have been so welcoming and truly want the best for us. They offer a family approach which has allowed our team to feel very special and included. Spending a weekend in Sydney with Michael Pugliese and the USA team allowed our team to create personalised connections which are now international. Learning directly from the creators of the products allows such deep knowledge to be shared, which is taken back into our clinic and shared to our clients.

Reformulation and new products is something very important to us, allowing us to constantly deliver the best to our clients, we don’t feel Circadia could ever be stagnant as education and product innovation truly is the core of their business. We really appreciate what Circadia CEO Aus Rachael Stevens is trying to achieve in the industry, allowing these points of difference to speak for themselves. We are very grateful for this very successful partnership. Winning Circadia New Clinic Of The Year 2024 is something the team and I are so proud of.

What are your top 3 favourite Circadia Products, and why?

Circadia Oxygen RX - works by introducing a controlled amount of oxygen directly into the skin at an optimal level to provide maximum health benefits which help replace the ruddy-look associated with acne and rosacea to instantly brighten the skin. No bacteria can live in this extreme oxygenated environment. The germicidal action of the oxygen makes it highly beneficial for acne. The end result is clear and luminous skin with a feeling of firmness. The lightning and vasoconstricting capabilities of our Circadia oxygen Rx treatment gives instant results for rosacea and acne clients. This treatment has been revolutionary in providing us the ability to give results to clients with rosacea and acne clients.

Post Peel Balm – a product we can’t keep in stock! Contains a skin identical lipid complex that increases water-holding capacity and provides a semi-occlusive and protective barrier. It’s an amazing solution post treatment which minimizes down time but also as an everyday moisturiser. Think luxury hydration mask as a moisturiser every day.

Serum 71 - Serum 71 is an immune-boosting, nutrient-rich formulation with a powerful trio of tranexamic, mandelic, and azelaic acids. Also included is a second-generation Beta Glucan and Neodermyl, the next-generation copper peptide that helps build back collagen and elastin. It’s amazing for everyone. Immune boosting, brightening.

What do you think sets Luminary apart from other clinics?

Our constant drive to be different, allowing us to customise and get clients results. Building personal connections with clients, allowing them a safe place to relax. Working with just skin doing facials is such a privilege. Prioritising our clients’ needs will always set us apart. It’s all In the little details. We will always provide a luxury service at a fair price getting our clients results.

What’s next for Luminary Melbourne?

Our goal is to keep growing and developing our team. Adding a fourth treatment room and of course we have a few surprises up our sleeve with some new treatments on the way.

www.luminarymelbourne.com.au

@luminarymelbourne @circadia_aus

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