Candace Reusch MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Partner

At 17, she moved to Lexington to start undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky. After getting an associate degree in Science, she earned her BA in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University.

Then she went to work at University of Kentucky Hospital in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit. This high-pressure position required caring for critically ill and injured people, many with head trauma. A strong critical thinker, especially in stressful situations, Candace excelled at her position. But she realized that she could not do the job forever.

“Many people with these types of injuries just don’t recover, no matter how good the care is,” she said. “It’s difficult to keep your mental outlook where it needs to be.”

It was around this time that a unique sequence of events sent Candace down a different career trajectory. Her sister took her to a party for eyelash extensions. She was fascinated by the aesthetician doing the extensions, and how good everyone felt about themselves afterward. So she got trained to do them, too, and began a side business.

One of her clients was Jennifer Crane, her now business partner at Zero Gravity.

Candace and Jennifer discussed their nursing backgrounds and how they were both wrestling with job enrichment. They realized their skills could be developed into an aesthetics business. Originally, the pair were just going to open a small eyelash boutique, but it soon became apparent that starting their own medical spa business would best suit their combined passions of helping people look and feel their best. It was then that Zero Gravity was born.

Together, they established their aesthetics business and connected with a Nurse Practitioner to offer injectable neurotoxins and other prescription treatments. For the next year and a half, Zero Gravity was on a roll. But in December 2017, an exciting new opportunity arose to purchase another med spa business in a prime location in Crestview Hills. The women jumped at the chance.

Called NVogue, the small med spa had been quite successful. But Candace and Jen’s energy and ambition inevitably put it into overdrive, making Zero Gravity an even greater staple for its clients.

In fact, Zero Gravity was voted Northern Kentucky’s favorite med spa twice in its first two years of existence by Northern Kentucky Magazine. So Candace knew she was where she needed to be, managing her own business, one where she could help people feel better about themselves—every day.

When they took charge, she and Jen also put procedures and systems in place to make sure they provided patients with the utmost in safety, as well as exceptional care. Since both came from ICU nursing backgrounds, they demanded the discipline needed to check and verify everything before any treatment. They understand facial anatomy, and know precise details of every service Zero Gravity offers. They also make sure every staff member has thorough training for every aspect of their jobs.

“We’re all about safety. Many of our services are medical procedures,” Candace said. “When we put safety first, everything else falls into place.”

Especially satisfaction—both for Candace and the patients of Zero Gravity.

“People come in and tell us their stories about how they’re unhappy with their appearance. We listen carefully, make recommendations that can help, and watch a beautiful transformation,” she said.

“We make people happy. We give them confidence. We can change lives,” she beamed. “And it’s also gratifying to know that we have a successful business. I feel very proud of all of us.”

Zero Gravity is not slowing down. And neither is Candace. She recently graduated with her master’s in nursing degree (Nurse Practitioner) at Northern Kentucky University, where they will now incorporate a more wellness approach by offering primary care and dermatology services.

What does Candace do when she’s not working? Chances are, you’ll find her on the water. Her favorite leisure activity is boating. She, her husband David, their two dogs (Allie and Chula) and two cats (Loki and Jovi) spend many summer weekends on Lake Cumberland in Kentucky or Norris Lake in Tennessee, with lots of nieces and nephews. All with everyone feeling great when they’re around Candace.