Licensed AP Esthetician | CIDESCO Certified | Make-Up Artist (Minneapolis. 2019.)
HEY! MY NAME IS SOTA MINNI KOY
…and yes, as in Minnesota. I feel as though I should start with an explanation of my name as I understand it’s a bit unique and an initial topic that I get asked about. My parents were refugees from Cambodia that separately escaped persecution from the genocide that occurred during their civil war. They met in California and then eloped in Minnesota. Finally, they had me - their first, second generation kid.
My name was a representation of the place where they began their new life. They swapped the “Minne” and “Sota,” replaced the “E” with an “I” (because she thought “MIN-EE” versus “MIN-EH” was cuter I suppose) thus creating Sota Minni. It took me moving out of state to Washington in 2014 to finally appreciate my name as I realized my love for my home state.
(Pictured Left: Mom and I at Lake Superior. 1990.)
HOW IT STARTED
I graduated the esthetics program from the Gary Manuel AVEDA Institute of Seattle after I abruptly made a career change, and to be honest, I can’t believe I haven’t been doing this my entire life! AVEDA was a great choice for me at the time as I believed in its mission of sustainability and plant power in skin care, as those values are still close to me. The private institution allowed me to have more advanced training in holistic practices that I take pride in today. After receiving my basic esthetics license, I worked for Skoah skin gyms and Julep Nail Parlors before I moved back home to the Twin Cities to rejoin an AVEDA spa.
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend and work two seasons of New York Fashion Week as an AVEDA makeup artist, breaking outside the traditional beauty makeup applications that I was familiar with and becoming certified in AVEDA Runway Makeup. The thrilling experience, education, and time cross country made me realize that I wanted everything that this industry had to offer me in the world.
(Pictured Left: Working backstage at NYFW for Leanne Marshall. February 2018.)
ADVANCED EDUCATION
In the fall of 2018, I enrolled and completed the year long intensive CIDESCO programs, the highest esthetics certificate that can be obtained globally, that sets an international standard for esthetics and beauty. It covers advanced skin care education, with basic training in massage, nails, nutrition, and wellness — allowing me the opportunities to work at top tier spas around the world. During that year, I performed case studies and wrote my dissertations on both “Hyperpigmentation” and “Muscle Toning on the Abdomen,” making me an esthetic specialist in those skin and body issues.
(Pictured Right: Graduation night from Saint Paul College with the CIDESCO Readiness Certificate. May 2019.)
While in school finishing that program, I also took part and placed first and gold in a statewide esthetic technical skills competition, in the basic facial, beauty makeup, and fantasy makeup categories. I went to Louisville, Kentucky where I competed on a national level, representing Minnesota in SkillsUSA, and meeting such an amazing team of other esthetician’s and instructors. Additionally, I passed and acquired my Advanced Practice Esthetics license that allows me to utilize electrotherapy, perform advanced extractions and deeper level treatments, and a variety of additional leading and intensive skin and body therapies.
(Pictured Left: Last day of passing my CIDESCO exams with global CIDESCO educators and proctor. July 2019.)
RECENTly
I went independent as “skin by sota” in August 2020 in Minneapolis then relocated to Nashville in October 2021. The relaunch finally happened in February 2022 under the same name. Now you can find me in the loft at Kurve Beauty Studio in the stunning Belle Meade neighborhood.
(Pictured Right: Having a blast working on set. November 2019.)
When I’m not doing skin
…you’ll find me at a concert enjoying live music and learning golf. I love being outdoors and adventurous with my sweet fur child, Randall, but we also enjoy bed snuggles with a good sci-fi movie.
(Pictured Left: Lake of the Isles. November 2020.)