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By Laura Wells Miramichi Leader

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Essence Institute owner Andrea Goodfellow and instructor Kim Dickson.

Students at the institute.

Andrea Goodfellow, owner of the Essence Institute.

"Feeling good about how you look definitely effects how you feel on the inside," said Andrea Goodfellow, President of Essence Institute.

"Webster's Dictionary defines essence as a key ingredient. I just thought it was fitting." she said, explaining why she chose the name for the beauty school. "Essence, the essence of who you are."

Owner and Operator of Essence Institute since December 2007, 31-year-old business woman Andrea Goodfellow trained at Jean Raymond in Moncton, and had an esthetics business in Chatham for seven years before she decided to accept a teaching position at the former Majestany Institute. It was while teaching at Majestany that she was approached by former owner Susan Dean to take over the business.

"It was a risk," Goodfellow said. "The advantage was I'd been there since the school opened, since day one, but still it was scary. I didn't realize how much there is to it. It's a lot of work, hours and hours and red tape after red tape.

But risk is paying off. With new students enrolled since August, more classes starting up again in January, and also being open to the public, Goodfellow (who teaches Esthetics, Makeup, and Nail Technology) and Kim Dickson (the hairstyling instructor) have been very busy.

"We take clients Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and we do everything: pedicures, manicures, hair, massage, the lot! This summer was very busy."

Goodfellow added, "I even hired an esthetician to help out. Back to school was a really busy time too with kids calling wanting pink panels, and purple and blue... I find the fact that I'm local makes a huge difference amongst the clientele. People care that this is a local business. I've found that they are very supportive of me, some are almost proud. ‘You're so young to have this' and ‘What an endeavour'! People say that to me. To me it's just what I do. I go to work everyday and that school, that's my baby. My students are my priority. I'm going to give it all I've got."

Charlotte Murphy studied under Goodfellow from 2005 to 2006. Murphy achieved the highest practical mark in the province that year from the Cosmotology Association of New Brunswick.

"Andrea Goodfellow is above and beyond any teacher." Murphy said, "I'm 40 years old and I've been through a lot of courses. I wouldn't have made it this far without her. You'd have to be an idiot if you don't want to learn with her."

"Mature students make some of the best in the industry."

Goodfellow commented, "My mom is 59. She actually took Hairstyling in 2007 and went right into Esthetics in 2008. She'd always been interested in doing this. She'd always had the bug. I've had other students that are older. They're here because they want it, and we're by them all the way."

Goodfellow spoke about her students.

"It's important to me that they look back and enjoy their learning experience and that they feel they can still call me when they're finished their training."

Indeed there is a strong sense of comradery amongst students. This is important to Goodfellow, as is giving back to the community.

"We participated in Bowl for Millions for Big Brothers & Big Sisters. It was really fun and we raised money for them. We did makeup and hair on new mothers for Healthy Baby and Me. There was a family that were victim of a house fire and we did some things to help them out too."

She says taking over the business when she did was a blessing.

"It was perfect timing for me to grow and to put my focus into this, to fully absorb myself into this."

When asked about future plans Goodfellow commented, "I have a lot of call from Bathurst. I've considered opening something up there. That could be in the future. I've considered opening a salon, something high end with former students. I don't know, but I'm ready for anything. Bring it on!"

Essence Instititute is located at 139 Pleasant Street.

En français: Andrea Goodfellow est devenue la propriétaire de l'Institut Essence de Miramichi, après y avoir oeuvre à titre d'enseignante. Elle déclare que le risque a valu la peine.