Three Minutes Across the Counter with Bessie Poulos Ktistakis

“Three Minutes Across the Counter” is a new feature on Patch in which we chat with local business owners. If you would like to be featured, email adina@patch.com with the name of your business.

Today we chat with Bessie Poulos Ktistakis, the owner of Pamper Aesthetics & Make-Up in Locust Valley.

Patch: How did you get your first start in business?

Bessie Poulos Ktistakis: I’ve always loved the world of beauty. From the time I was a little girl I would play “spa” with my friends giving them makeovers, they were my first satisfied customers! After I finished school I started doing make-up for family and friends, they loved it and would recommend me to their circle of friends. During this time I also supported myself by working in the fashion and beauty industries where I learned about current trends and well as customer service. Eventually I began freelancing as a make-up artist specializing in wedding and special occasions make-up, and I acquired my Esthetics’s License. This is when the seeds of Pamper Aesthetics & Make-Up were started to be planted. Clients requested my services more and more I realized the time had come to open my own boutique spa and the Locust Valley location was a perfect match for the business, intimate and welcoming.

Patch: How did your parents influence you as a business owner?

Bessie Poulos Ktistakis: I am a first generation American, my parents moved from Greece to raise their family in the United States. They were hard workers and they showed me the value of hard work, of not giving up despite the obstacles you may face. I saw them as strong and confident people growing up, people that went after what they wanted, a better life for their children.

Patch: How long have you lived here?

Bessie Poulos Ktistakis: I’ve lived in Glen Cove for 11 years. It is truly my home now. My husband is from Glen Cove and my children were born here. But I grew up in Queens and I was born in North Carolina.

Patch: What’s your favorite thing about living here?

Bessie Poulos Ktistakis: I think it is a great place to raise a family, there is a real sense of community. There is also a sophistication here because of its proximity to the city, which I appreciate having been a city girl myself for many years.

Patch: What’s a business mistake you’ve made that later you were glad you did?

Bessie Poulos Ktistakis: Keeping in touch with clients that I met early on. The longer I am involved in this industry the more I realize that all successful businesses thrive because of the relationships they build with clients over time.

Patch: Tell us something about yourself that most of your neighbors don’t know?

Bessie Poulos Ktistakis: I speak Greek fluently and I have a great sense of humor, they probably know that one!

Patch: What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

Bessie Poulos Ktistakis: Choose a career you are passionate about and don’t listen to naysayers, go for what you want.

Patch: What advice would you give to a small business owner just starting out?

Bessie Poulos Ktistakis: Work smart, accommodate each clients needs and give the customer more than is expected, follow up and send a thank you notes to all new clients for choosing your business it is an old fashioned curiosity that people love.

Patch: What do you look for when you hire?

Bessie Poulos Ktistakis: I look for like minded people, ideally we click, like any relationship you have to want the same thing, to want the business to succeed and keep learning along the way.