Our providers
Ellie Esford - Owner of Intuitive Esthetics
Ellie Esford, a dedicated esthetician with a passion for holistic healing, was born and raised in the serene landscapes of Northern Michigan. She embarked on her journey in esthetics in 2017, following her years of training as a dancer and seizing the remarkable opportunity to apprentice for her Esthetician's License. Upon obtaining her license, Ellie began her career at a medical spa, where she honed her skills in traditional skincare methods, becoming certified in advanced techniques including chemical peels, Hydrafacial, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning and more.
While Ellie greatly valued her foundational experiences in the medical esthetics realm, she soon recognized that her true calling lay elsewhere. She felt a deep connection to a more holistic approach to beauty and wellness. This realization prompted her to take a pause from conventional esthetics, during which she pursued her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification. Through yoga, Ellie discovered a lifestyle that profoundly resonated with her and ignited her love for sound healing. This exploration deepened her understanding of the body's innate ability to heal through holistic practices.
Eager to merge her newfound insights from yoga and sound healing with her esthetic practices, Ellie returned to the treatment room with a renewed sense of purpose. She immersed herself in research, seeking to explore both ancient and contemporary holistic esthetics. This journey illuminated a path that felt intrinsically right for her—a harmonious blend of skincare, natural living, and holistic healing.
Over the course of her career, Ellie has earned certifications in Gua Sha, facial cupping, buccal massage, facial reflexology, sound healing, manual lymphatic drainage, and is an advanced Qi Beauty™ practitioner. Her passion for holistic skincare has driven her to collaborate with various skincare lines, most notably Laurel Skin, whose healing products she is thrilled to introduce to the Petoskey community.
With a commitment to rejecting unattainable beauty standards, toxic products, and harmful treatments, Ellie strives to offer her clients a skincare experience that transcends superficiality. Her approach to skin health honors the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit. Each service is delivered with love, passion, intuition, and knowledge, aiming to empower clients with a deeper understanding of self-care and a renewed sense of self-love.
In addition to her expertise in holistic esthetics, Ellie takes great joy in the art of brow shaping and lash lifting. Trained under renowned celebrity brow artist Joey Healy, she has successfully helped countless clients achieve natural, structured brow shapes. She also completed a masterclass with award-winning lash artist Rochelle Gismondi, perfecting the technique for an ideal lash lift.
When she isn't at Intuitive Esthetics, Ellie can be found teaching dance or yoga, or enjoying her tranquil home in the woods with her beloved husband and fur babies. Her commitment to continuous learning and professional development ensures that she will always provide her clients with the highest quality of care and service.
Katherine Braun - Owner of Resonance Healing Arts
MSc, LMT, CYT
Katherine has long felt a calling toward the healing arts, a path that became clear when she discovered the transformative power of massage and Shiatsu. She specializes in both the technical and intuitive/energetic aspects of bodywork and considers it a privilege to support her clients’ wellness journeys. A 2015 graduate of Zen Shiatsu Chicago, Katherine also holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MSc from the London School of Economics. After years of international study and travel across continents, she returned to her Michigan roots in 2022. Now based in Northern Michigan, Katherine integrates her passions for TCM, Ayurveda, yoga and aromatherapy into a life filled with outdoor exploration and holistic learning.
Kristy Currie - Licensed Esthetician
Kristy is a licensed esthetician with roots in medical aesthetics and a deep appreciation for results-driven skin health. Currently practicing in a holistic setting, she is drawn to the space where medical innovation and holistic care can coexist- believing the most meaningful results come when science and presence work together. Deeply rooted in family, Kristy is also a mother of three, and that grounding carries through everything she offers in the treatment room. When she’s not working, she can usually be found in the Upper Peninsula on her family’s centennial farm. Grounded in family life, farm roots, and the rhythm of entrepreneurship where she owns and operates, alongside her husband, Lake Superior Woolen Company’s storefront in Mackinaw City.
Alison Cartwright - Licensed Esthetician
Alison is a licensed esthetician and graduate of North Central Michigan College, where she earned an Associate Degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Originally born in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and raised in Bellaire, Alison has always had a deep appreciation for nature, wellness, and living in harmony with the environment. Her passion for esthetics began through her own personal journey with cystic acne. After years of struggling to find lasting results through prescription medications and over-the-counter products, she became determined to understand the root causes of skin concerns rather than simply treating the symptoms. This search led her to holistic esthetics and ultimately to Ellie, whose approach to skin health inspired Alison to pursue a career helping others achieve healthy, confident skin. Alison's background in environmental studies and her experience working on an organic farm have shaped her belief that true wellness is deeply connected to both our bodies and the natural world. She is passionate about supporting her clients through a holistic approach that considers lifestyle, nutrition, and overall well-being alongside professional skincare treatments. When she is not providing services at Intuitive Esthetics, Alison enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, and continuing her work on the organic farm where she has been involved for the past several years.