Beauty Spells Success for One Algonquin Businesswoman

DeAnna Kell, 31, who describes herself as a results-driven person, always has enjoyed helping people look good and feel more confident about themselves.

But instead of sticking around at a safe job for the paycheck, she did what ultimately every small business owner must do – she went for it.

Today Kell is celebrating proudly the two-year anniversary of her Algonquin business, Elite Laser & Skin Spa, a medical spa, 1482 Merchant Drive.

“Esthetics is my passion,” Kell said, “I just fell in love with it.”

Kell, who is an active member in the Algonquin-LITH Chamber of Commerce, is young, savvy and ambitious.

She was raised in Fox River Grove, and upon graduating high school, she packed up her bags and moved to Miami, where she worked as a fashion stylist. Her job consisted of dressing pro athletes and celebrities for big-name events, such as the Latin Grammys.

But after a few years, she missed her family and returned home to help manage the family restaurant in Elk Grove.

After two years of the restaurants business, she said she felt like she wasn’t fulfilling her true passion.

So she got her esthetics license, moved to Chicago and worked for a plastic surgeon in the Gold Coast. During her stint in the city, she said she worked on local celebrities and Playboy models.

Ultimately that wasn’t enough, so two years ago she went into business for herself.

Today Kell is the managing partner and majority shareholder of Elite Laser & Skin Spa, while Dr. Gunnar Thors, an Algonquin plastic surgeon, is a silent partner.

Kell, who manages five employees, said running her own business is a lot of work, but rewarding.

“You have to put 200 percent into it,” she said.

She said that she is able to keep a strong clientele based on the mantra of how she runs her spa. Services range from spray tanning to Botox to chemical skin peels.

“Treat the clients as if they were your sister, mother or grandmother,” Kell said.

In honor of her business's two-year anniversary, STAR 105.5 will be broadcasting live at Elite Laser & Skin Spa from 3 to 7 p.m. June 9. Wine and appetizers will be served. In honor of its anniversary, the spa offering 50 percent off services for appointments that are made today, excluding Botox.

For more information, www.elitelaserandskinspa.com or call 847-658-5858.