Welcome to "Where Are They Now?", a series that follows the journey of individuals who have attended one of our courses and how they have applied the skills and knowledge gained with us in their professional and personal lives. We believe that learning is a lifelong journey, and we take pride in knowing that our program has had a positive impact on the lives of our attendees.
Velma Borchard, MSN, FNP-BC
Introducing Velma Borchard the newest addition to our "Where Are They Now?" series brings us great excitement. Velma taken in couple trainings in The Confidence Lab including a Customized Hands-On Training with Cristina on Jul 22 2022. She has also been a member of Rana Patreon for over 2 years. Here is a link to Velma reel which captures her training at The Confidence Lab.
What were you doing before you got into aesthetics?
I’ve been a family nurse practitioner focusing in pediatric medicine for nearly 23 years in Corpus Christi, Texas. Prior to becoming a medical provider, I was a RN in Med-Surg care and Emergency Room. I’ve been in the nursing field for 29 years. When putting the math to paper, it sure does seem like a long time; but when you love what you do, it does not “feel” like it!
What inspired you to pursue a career in aesthetics?
This may seem like a cliché, but I’ve had a dream. I didn’t realize it until an old childhood friend said that my “dream came true” as I am doing medical cosmetic procedures. When I was young, my friends and I would play with my mother’s makeup and pretend that we were “artists”. The phone would ring, and they would answer, “hello, Lighthouse Cosmetics”! I had wanted to be in an industry like this, but my mother felt like it was not an industry that would support a family. My mom is Korean (see photo just above) and with that culture and ideology comes a grind and a future with success.
Long story short…pre-med turned into a nursing career as time seemed burdensome for me. As I matured, I became a consumer of aesthetic procedures such as Botox. Quite honestly, I did not know that there was a nursing career to be had in the aesthetic industry. Then again, I was dealing with breastfeeding consultations, developmental milestones, and treating acute illnesses…the polar opposite of the life span to notice a need until I look into the mirror on occasion and notice changes in my face. When I would see my derm for my skin, I would always think that I would love to learn how to inject or do procedures that would help others with similar needs.
Why did you choose The Confidence Lab's training program?
When you’re new to anything, you are going to do some research (you should at least)! There are all kinds of glam and lux in this industry along with beautiful (sometimes overdone) faces that I felt that I didn’t belong. I didn’t fit the narrative. I actually found Rana on Youtube. I stalked her because she attracted me with her knowledge, soft-spoken voice, gentle hands, her method of teaching was easy to understand, and she looked normal and “down-to-earth”. She has such a great outlook on life! I needed to meet her one day! My goal was to be trained by her. I followed her on IG and sent her a message. I was so touched that she made time to respond to me. I’ve been to the Confidence Lab twice for training and have no problem returning for featured guests on my bucket list. I’ve been a Patreon member of Rana’s since I started two years ago which is anther great educational platform. I have trained with Cristina, Angie, and Abby.
What is your favorite aspect of working in the field of aesthetics?
In my years of practice, I have heard all types of verbal negativity when it comes to parenting and effects on children and adolescents. Bullying is a hot topic and it does not just come from a classroom situation…it’s found at home. Growing up, in school, I had been bullied because of my Asian eyes. I’m empathic to this. When you have a college student come to see you because she wants lips, she tells me a story that her dad used to tease her and ask, “why don’t you have an upper lip”. If I can help heal her from this, I surely am going to try!
I love all things aesthetic…art, interior design and nature. My favorite aspect of working in this field of aesthetics is “healing”. As a medical provider, yes it is rewarding when you heal someone’s pain, help them to recover from illness, or improve a family situation; BUT aesthetics, it is like healing to the nth degree. The parallel of pediatrics and aesthetics is that in peds, we treat all “walks of life”… and it is my philosophy that in treating aesthetic patients, “everyone is deserving”. During the reveal, it gives me great satisfaction and joy to see confidence concrete or someone pain-free in my chair as the patient feels restored, seen, and heard!
What are you doing now?
I am still working as a pediatric provider and currently have some space in our office that I provide aesthetic care for adult patients called Borchard Aesthetics: an aesthetic boutique offering injectable services, PDO smooth threads, microneedling, microchanneling, PRP/PRPM, hair restoration, Alastin Skincare line, and I use the Clarius ultrasound for assessment. My business philosophies are education, safety, natural beauty, and great outcomes. Summer 2023, I plan to occupy a business space within our building and have been working with a contractor to have my “own” area dedicated to aesthetics only. I am a “one-man-band” at this point. Life is a marathon and not a sprint! I’ve learned to be patient as everything happens for a reason! I continue to take private trainings for proficiency. My first training experience this year was with Nicola Lowrey in San Antonio. I am just blessed that where I am in my career that I can continue to learn especially in a different type of medical industry; more importantly, that whatever I’m doing brings me much fulfillment and joy.
What advice would you give to those considering a career in this field?
Get your ducks in row! Logically build a foundation of safe practice. Just as we were taught in our nursing careers, “CPR/ACLS before hitting the floor”. Have an aesthetic crash cart ready and know how to manage adverse events before anything! Know what you are going to need for this scenario and have them in place before you launch. Look into the best trainings for your budget and your goals, be patient, give yourself grace, offer a hand (community over competition), run your race and stay in your lane, and never stop learning. Keep watering the seeds of knowledge so that you can continue to grow in this field!