Meet Melissa Stephenson | RN, Owner

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

Hi Melissa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After working as a nurse for the last 8+ years, I was finding that healthcare was evolving in a way that didn’t align with my values. Aesthetic nursing was always a big dream of mine, but one that I didn’t see as a possibility due to circumstances. I made the shift to Aesthetic nursing during covid when I was let go from the hospital and I dove right in to learning the ropes. Having spent some time in the industry, I saw certain gaps that I knew I wanted to fulfill. I wanted to create a space that bridged the gap that exists between healthcare and wellness as well as create an environment that was fun, light and luxurious. Before I knew it a series of doors opened up and the opportunities arose for me to be able to get the business going and I haven’t looked back. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started out my life in pursuit of becoming a dentist. Unfortunately, as life would have it and immaturity would dictate, I wasn’t ready to pursue such lengthy studies at the age of 18. I started the journey and shifted to nursing. While I always knew I wanted to be in the industry of helping people, I was unsure of the capacity in which I would do so. Nursing school was no joke. It was hell on earth quite frankly. After finishing the hardest 3 years of my life, and receiving a scholarship, I landed my first job in adult care. I hated every second. I quickly transitioned into pediatric emergency care which was my absolute favorite. I always had a dream of going into aesthetics and providing care to those who elected it, rather than those who required it, but pediatrics filled my soul. When Covid hit I found myself laid off from two hospitals and not making any money. The road was tough. A little while later I took a job in the aesthetic field and also took a job in nursing education. Although neither of them felt like the long term place for me, I quickly learned I wanted to live life on my own terms, be a present mom to my 6 year old and help others like myself find joy and passion in their work. Although life took me in so many different directions and I never understood why, it became so evident that each of those paths were set before me to teach me all the skills I would need to get to where I am today. Challenges arose plenty. Single parenting, having to sell my first home, taking on multiple jobs; it was a road I never imagined I’d travel. Fast forward to meeting my husband, he was such a tenacious and driven individual it quickly began to rub off on me. While I stood back not understanding why life kept throwing curveballs, he taught me to find ways to capitalize the moment, to learn a new skill, and to enjoy the peace and promise that came from the unknown. That is when I reflected heavily on what my future would look like. For me, it was a place to call my own, a place to build team and community, to provide service that brought life to others and to put the best interest of the individual first. I wanted a place that felt like home all the while felt luxurious and comforting. I wanted to build awareness around healing and the understanding that wellness and medicine, while very far on the spectrum, both had a place to work in synergy. Being a libra, and fully believing that life is about balance, that is when Balens was born. Simply, Balens is the pronunciation of the word balance. It is a word that holds dear to me on a personal level and has held true to the core of what business for us would be. What sets us apart is that in an industry where it’s either medicine or wellness, where money is at the root of solutions and treatments and options vary greatly depending on meeting business needs, we shook up the motto and put the client first. We take a full wellness approach to each and every client and aim to understand root causes of issues in order to address internal needs before extending to the external. It is an overall well rounded approach to care and focuses vastly on the Balens trilogy: mind, body & soul. We offer aesthetics, dermal procedures, facials, massage, relaxation, nutrition, hormones, IV, mental wellness and more..

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My husband and I love Fort Lauderdale and this particular downtown area. There are so many exciting places to visit and things to try. Some of our favorite places to eat include JB&C for a pick me up smoothie and a smoked salmon toast (this never disappoints), Blue print cookies next door for the best cookies ever, Timpano on Las Olas for a mean tomahawk steak and dessert, The Wilder for some lounge time and drinks and even the Whiskey Neat for the best selections of whiskey. We love to do staycations at the Dalmar and enjoy the pool and head up to Sparrow for dinner and drinks. When visiting the beach, having scoobies and crab cakes with champagne at Coconuts is a must. Any given day or weekend, my husband and I’s favorite spot to spend the day whether studying, working, or just enjoying each others company is Anns coffee and florist bar. They have the best flowers of all time and the ambiance is amazing. The GM, Nate is such a special soul who treats every customer like a friend. If you’re looking for a realtor, whether for personal or business needs, Sara at Native Realty is your girl. She made our home search and our business leasing process so easy and such an enjoyable experience. A fun haircut/color, makeup experience would definitely be at the Hair Circus in Tarpon River. Alex, the owner, has such a wonderful team and they all take such pride in their work. This town, the community and the individuals we’ve met along the way really have been so amazing and we’re so glad to be part of this awesome community.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a shadow of a doubt, my husband. Quite frankly without him, his support, his efforts and his patience I would not be here today. Together we combined our efforts and our savings to embark on this journey. Through every step of the process he was right beside me awaiting to hear and execute my crazy ideas and was so patient with me along the way. I am a woman of faith and the Lord has always been my shepherd. I am convinced not one door or opportunity would have been made possible without His lead.
Second would be my family & my team, which is made up of lifelong friends and people who I have met along the journey that have stood by me and stepped up in every way possible.

Website: www.bebalens.com

Instagram: @balensspa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balensspa/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/balens-estetica-and-wellness-no-title-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@balensesteticawellness317

Image Credits
Melissa Stephenson, I carry the rights as the pictures are my own