Brooke Nichol, RN, CANS, knew she wanted to work in healthcare after her experience in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at eight years of age. “I underwent a three-hour surgery to repair a depresse
d skull fracture after I was hit in the head with a golf club,” she shared. “I remember wanting to know what was happening with the patients around me because I was so intrigued with trauma and how it is treated.”
This interest inspired Brooke to pursue a career in nursing. Soon after completing her education and training in 2001, she accepted a travel nurse assignment in Los Angeles, Calif., and began working in ICUs and emergency rooms (ERs) across Southern California.
Her career took a turn in 2004 when she met renowned plastic surgeon Garth Fisher, MD. Working as his operating room nurse exposed Brooke to the world of aesthetics, which led to an unexpected new passion – injectables.
“I remember telling Dr. Fisher that I would ‘never do Botox or work with women who do,’” Brooke admitted. “But he convinced me to attend an aesthetic injectable class taught by cosmetic dermatologist Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD and it was life-changing,” she recalled. “Listening to Dr. Fitzgerald analyze my face as I stood in front of all the attendees made me fall in love with the art of injectables.
“It also taught me to never say ‘never,’ and carefully consider the judgements I make,” she added.
Brooke worked for Dr. Fisher and plastic surgeon Gary Motykie, MD, as an aesthetic injection specialist for six years before opening her own private medical aesthetic practice in Austin, Texas. She had intended to open an injectables- only lounge, but was forced to pivot when her husband, Jason, fell ill. “He needed to tend to his health, so what I wanted to be a side hustle became our only hustle – and Saving Face was born,” Brooke explained.
Her business has continued to grow since opening its doors in 2013, as has her family. In 2015, Brooke and her husband welcomed their daughter, Miller, followed by their son, Knox, in 2019. Balancing her career and family life has been a challenge, but a ‘quality over quantity’ mindset has helped Brooke succeed in both arenas.
“When I am with my kids, I am present. That means I do my best to make sure all my work commitments are wrapped up before I walk in the house. It is important for me to no longer be the ‘boss lady,’” she admitted. “And I do not stress the little things – like ordering takeout sometimes instead of cooking a homemade meal.
“I work hard and love my team big – whether at home or at work,” Brooke concluded.
