Everett skin-care clinic Grove and Kane expands to Ballard

Grove and Kane’s Karen Olsoy isn’t quite sure where she found her entrepreneurial spirit, but she knows where she found her inspiration.

The Everett woman had a severe case of acne as teen that carried into young adulthood. “Nothing worked,” Olsoy said.

When she learned that she had a clinical condition, Olsoy eventually was able to find peace — and a mission to help others who had been through similarly difficult situations.

Three years ago, at the age of 23, Olsoy opened Grove and Kane skin care clinic at 520 128th St. SW, Suite A6, in south Everett. Now, she’s expanded, adding a second office in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.

Olsoy is the daughter of a pair of doctors. Olsoy moved to Manhattan to attend New York University. While everyone else dreamed about jobs on Wall Street, Olsoy told everyone that she was going to beauty school. Nobody understood: Why go to a trade school after college?

“I was the only person with a vision, and it was lonely for a while,” Olsoy said.

It was in New York that Olsoy dreamed up the name of her business. She lived on tree-lined Grove Street and liked the name of nearby Kane Street (Like “Citizen Kane,” Olsoy says, and a reminder to always put people before money.)

Olsoy returned to Everett and attended Evergreen Beauty College.

There’s artistry, but also the need for manual dexterity. There’s customer service that you have to learn while also training in physical work such as pouring hot wax and using chemical products and metal tools around clients’ eyes.

The client needs to feel comfortable in your hands, Olsoy said.

“And now I love it,” she said. “Like anything, it takes practice. It was very humbling. It was so good for me.”

After beauty school, Olsoy did hands-on work with Ulta Beauty in Everett as an asthetician before launching her own clinic.

“You have to be part crazy to start a business,” she said. “My friend spotted the location first, and it was perfect. Every two seconds, I was like, ‘This is perfect,’ and then two seconds later, ‘You’re going to fail.’ Once I signed the papers, though, there was a calm.”

What was once an Edward Jones office with huge glass windows was blocked off; low lighting created a softer glow. Her family put in the sweat equity on the electrical work, painting and putting up drywall.

The chic interior of both locations share similarities.

They’re very earthy, with a lot of darker hues with two chairs to each room — not including the treatment table. A large pitcher of water sits near the back of each store, tinted with peppermint oil as a minty refreshment for guests. (Olsoy and her employees are proponents of hydration.)

Opening the Ballard store at 5325 Ballard Ave. NW, Suite 212, was a completely different experience from the first launch.

“It went together pretty quickly.” She hired contractors this time to do the work. “It was such a luxury.”

Her family had special connections to Ballard growing up.

“My grandparents immigrated here, and came to Ballard,” she said. “It was the place for Norwegians to go — my grandpa didn’t learn English until he was 5.” (He now lives in a house that he built himself.)

“At the Ballard office, we are surrounded by classic architecture, almost like we were always destined to be there.” It’s a smaller location, but has a lot of woodwork and steel beams. “I call it my ‘Mini Grove-and-Kane’,” Olsoy said.

She still loves the original Everett location; she lives in Everett. “In Everett, we’re a bit of a diamond in the rough.”

Olsoy says she loves helping people.

“When someone calls to tell me that they need help, my heart just leaps,” Olsoy said. “It’s not that they don’t wash their face. It’s a chronic skin condition that needs specific treatment. It took me more than 10 years to figure it out.”

Even so, there are facial peels and other treatments that are good for “a day at the spa,” and she also has the Youngblood cosmetic line for customers looking for that “finishing touch.”

Grove and Kane’s longest-tenured employee is makeup artist Jill DeVito, 47. The clinic uses the Youngblood cosmetic line on DeVito’s advice.

“Sometimes foundation can make you look older, but this is nice, and mineral and hydrating.” She paused. “And they have good colors.”

“We’re all about skin, so even our makeup has to be based in skin care, which it is,” points out Olsoy. “It’s safe to even apply after a chemical peel. Not all make-up lines are like that for real.”

Another consultant, Rachel Greene, 30, recommends the darker lipsticks like rosewood. “And the blush — the dusty rose, suitable for all skin types, gives a bit of a dusty glow. You can even use a little bit on your eyes.”

Both shops carry a small section of candles dedicated to the nonprofit R.E.S.T., a charity focused on providing aid and raising awareness about women recovering from domestic abuse and the sex trade.

Founding members were those who signed up within the first nine months of business, and the group of members that kept Olsoy’s business going during the first year.

There are also “Grove” members who have a monthly “flat fee” that they pay in advance and redeem for services over the course of the month. However, like most businesses, they also offer coupons in their monthly newsletter, which customers can sign up for on their website.

DeVito has been impressed with the success of the business.

“It’s amazing how much it has grown,” DeVito said. “The clientele, our Yelp, we have fantastic Yelp reviews. Just opening a new location, and our members — our members are just fantastic. And they’re always referring people, it’s nice. It’s kind of like a family.”

In the end, it’s all about pouncing once you have experience in the field, and getting it done.

“Everyone always asks me how to start a business. There is no guide,” Olsoy said.

“You just have to jump in feet first and do it. Hire people that you trust to do the things that you’re not as good at.”