By: Rachel Pillow
Vitality Med Spa and LUXE Nail & Beauty Bar opened their doors to Suwanee in July of 2016. The practice started in 2011 in Grayson and quickly grew to a second location in Buford. Monique Hicks, Owner & Founder, opened the original practice as a medical weight loss clinic, but with growing demands from clientele, quickly expanded her services to include: injectables, laser treatment, skin care and more. They began to outgrow both locations in Buford and Grayson, but instead of building a third location, Hicks decided to create one, large, premier, state-of-the-art facility that would include all services along with the addition of a Nail, Hair & Beauty bar.
When Hicks was looking around Gwinnett for the perfect location to expand her business and create this state-of-the-art facility, she came across the opportunity to open a location in Suwanee Town Center. After meeting with City officials, networking with other local business owners and talking to Suwanee residents, she realized that it was a place she wanted to plant roots in. “There is something special going on here in the community of Suwanee that is very different and unique from other areas around here,” said Hicks. The beautiful, brand new facility is located on the Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road side of Town Center Park, directly across from Mellow Mushroom.
Hicks, a nurse by trade, jump-started her career in an unlikely way – with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Navy. After meeting a Navy doctor and his wife, she was encouraged to go on a four-month mission called “Operation Continuing Promise.” Continuing Promise is an annual, civil-military humanitarian mission providing immediate healthcare, disaster relief training and assistance in community projects throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. “I spent four months living on a U.S. Navy ship, going to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Antigua and Barbuda; providing medical services, assisting in surgeries, talking to people about water safety and AIDS awareness… it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” she said.
After returning home, Hicks began working for a plastic surgeon, a seemingly stark contrast to the humanitarian work she was doing before. But, surprisingly, just as rewarding. “I never intended to be a cosmetic nurse, but I loved being able to change people’s lives and make them feel beautiful again. A lot of women put their children, their home and family’s needs above their own and forget about themselves. We specialize in helping them put themselves first. They build their confidence again, whether that is through weight loss, laser hair removal or something else, it’s just incredible to see how much we can impact lives through the services we offer,” Hicks explained.
When Hicks decided to open her own practice that was the premise with which she built it on: transforming lives. Many of her employees have been with her since day one, including longtime friend and Vitality Med Spa General Manager, Kara Williamson. “I wouldn’t be here today without Kara and the rest of my amazing staff,” said Hicks. With close to 7,000 clients and 15 employees, Williamson helps to keep the operation running smoothly. One of Vitality Med Spa’s most sought-after services is Botox, largely due to the reputation of their two full-time, master level injectors, Barbara Vanlenten, aka Botox Barbie, and Ty Peterson, who is also an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and medical weight loss expert. Vanlenten and Peterson are known in the industry for training and techniques that they have pioneered, and men and women from across the Southeast specifically seek their services.
The list of services offered by Vitality Med Spa and LUXE Nail & Beauty Bar is extensive: it truly is a one-stop shop for all beauty and wellness needs. From the moment you walk in the door, customers receive VIP treatment. Small details such as fruit-infused water, a complimentary wine bar and comfortable, private suites for services, create the utmost luxury experience. “A lot of thought went 
into the details of this place, in order to make it the best experience for our customers,” said Williamson. “In the beauty bar we custom-designed the pedicure chairs so that you can get your hair, toes and fingernails done all at the same time and be done within an hour. Most locations do not offer all of those services at the same time,” she continued. The nail bar offers full-service manicure and pedicures, while the hair bar offers styling, up-dos, special hair treatments, hair and eyelash extensions, and Blowouts. It is the perfect spot to accommodate bridal parties, prom night or a girls’ night out.
Already, Vitality Med Spa has immersed themselves as community members by giving back to local causes such as Sweet Repeat Dresses, Suwanee Dental’s Deserving Divas and through appreciation events for teachers, nurses and military. They also heard about Dede Daniel from The Bert Show and read her story in Suwanee Magazine last issue, and decided they wanted to do something special for this breast cancer patient and soon-to-be-bride by offering her facials and injectables, as well as manicures for her and the bridal party the day before the wedding.
Since opening in Suwanee, the outpour of support from local residents, new clients and other business owners in the area looking to partner with them and help them succeed, has been overwhelming. “One of the reasons we’re so thankful to be in Suwanee is because of the wonderful community here – we are really excited to be part of that,” said Williamson. For a list of services go to, vitalitymedspamd.com.
