Aces of Trades: Newark's Kelly Wert delivers 'life changing results' at The Laser Loft
NEWARK – She came upon a career she never expected — and loves it.
"Growing up, I didn't have a clear idea of my future path," Kelly Wert said. "My journey was marked by exploration and a willingness to learn. Entering college without a concrete plan, I felt the weight of uncertainty, but this didn't deter me. Deep inside, I knew that whatever I pursued, it would involve helping people."
Today, Wert is a cosmetic therapist and co-owner (with Dr. Bill Luft) of The Laser Loft in Gahanna.
"Cosmetic therapists are trained in both electrolysis and laser hair removal," Wert said. "Unlike most nurses, cosmetic therapists have in-depth training and are specialists in hair removal. It’s truly a special niche sought out by a wide range of people looking to eliminate the hassle of hair removal."
Wert grew up in a small town called Kersey in north central Pennsylvania. She graduated from high school in 1988, then earned a degree with a focus on industrial organizational psychology from Pennsylvania State University. She and her husband, Tom, moved to Newark 23 years ago.
"Raised by blue-collar parents who hadn’t pursued higher education, my determination and drive were evident even as a child," she said. "My blue-collar upbringing made me a hard worker. Despite the limitations of growing up in a small town, I knew I wanted to do something that would make a meaningful difference. I was sociable and tenacious, which helped me excel in school and as a cheerleader."
After college, Wert was a district manager for Kinko’s in Columbus. Then, life took an unexpected turn.
"I took a much-needed staycation," she said, "and visited an electrologist named Mary to help me get rid of some unwanted hair. Little did I know when I made my appointment that Mary would be the one who inspired my new career as a cosmetic therapist. I quit my great paying job and went back to school to remove hair for a living. People thought I was crazy when I told them I was leaving a very successful career of 11 years with Kinko’s to remove people’s hair."
"I graduated from cosmetic therapy school," she said, "and started searching for a space to start my own hair removal business. As luck would have it, one of the places I called happened to own a laser and was looking for a cosmetic therapist. I started working for Dr. Bill Luft in 2005, and eventually we became business partners and opened The Laser Loft 18 years ago."
Ann Langenbrunner is a customer and longtime friend.
"Plain and simple, Kelly is a go-getter," Langenbrunner said. "She is passionate and driven about her business and helping people. She’s a visionary entrepreneur who has lobbied for her industry and mentored others who have followed her path. She has built The Laser Loft into a professional and beautifully designed environment. Kelly and her staff are top notch."
"Nineteen years ago," Wert said, "I would never have imagined laser hair removal would be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. I’ve gone from working one day a week to having a team of nine employees."
"I wouldn’t change a thing!" she summed. "Being a cosmetic therapist is fun and very rewarding. I love helping people. It’s hard to not like a job where all your customers are happy, and you deliver life changing results."
About The Laser Loft
For more information about The Laser Loft, visit www.laserloftsalon.com.
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs — whether they're unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Aces: Kelly Wert delivers 'life changing results' at The Laser Loft
