Bellissimo Beauty Bar celebrates second year
By Kelly Crawford
NAUGHTON – Danika Bellissimo, citizen of Nipissing First Nation and ties to M’Chigeeng First Nation, celebrates the second year of Bellissimo Beauty Bar this May, and encourages youth to follow their path.
Bellissimo’s Beauty Bar is a private, home-based aesthetics studio nestled in the heart of Naughton, Ontario. Designed for clients who crave results and relaxation, specializing in custom advanced facials, chemical peels, dermaplaning, manicures and pedicures, waxing, lash lifts, and brow laminations. Every treatment is fully personalized, and each appointment is thoughtfully tailored to the client’s skin goals and self-care needs.
The decision to open her own business stemmed from a desire to work independently and make her own decisions after gaining sufficient experience, combined with the timing of returning to Sudbury, where no existing positions felt right.
“A lot of people are going to tell you no; don’t listen to them. You’re in the rooms you are in for a reason,” says 23-year-old Bellissimo, who shared advice for those young people that might be thinking of opening a business. “I just wanted to work alone. I wanted to make my own decisions. I felt like, at the point where I was, I gained enough experience that I felt I could go on my own. I also grew. I planned on moving back to Sudbury, and I did apply at places, but nothing felt right.”
The journey to aesthetics was not linear, despite having grown up learning the importance of self-care.
She started in social work but switched fields halfway through her first year after realizing it wasn’t fulfilling and would negatively impact her mental health, despite wanting to help people. After leaving social work, Bellissimo attended Modern College in North Bay for aesthetics training, which taught her what to do and what to avoid when running her own business.
Danika worked at Lavender and Lacquer located in Nipissing First Nation, starting with reception in 2020, progressed to doing pedicures, then full services after graduation, working there for about a year post-graduation.
Moving back to Sudbury in her career field was daunting since she had a full clientele in North Bay, and would have to start over; however, she received strong local support and still has clients who travel from North Bay to see her.
“As a regular client of Danika’s, I look forward to my appointments every few weeks, not just for the service but for the experience she creates. She is personable, sweet, and incredibly accommodating. She always makes me feel welcome and appreciated,” says Krista Kowaluk, a Bellissimo Beauty Bar regular client. “Her knowledge and professionalism truly stand out. It’s inspiring to see such a driven 23-year-old woman build her own beauty bar within our community. I love supporting her business, and I’m always happily recommending her to others.”
Though she switched careers, Danika fulfills her desire to help people. What she does for her clients isn’t just skin deep; her services go beyond beauty. They offer an opportunity for education, relaxation and stress relief, and emotional support through personal attention that focusses on and cultivates self-confidence.
“Thankful to have someone close to home. She is friendly, knowledgeable and truly a one-stop place for aesthetic services and products. You can tell she genuinely cares about her clients and their results!” says Mellissa Dodge, another regular client of Bellissimo Beauty Bar.
Bellissimo Beauty Bar has garnered the love and support of both clients and peers alike, having won second place for best esthetician by both Sudbury Community Votes 2025 and the Ontario Business Awards 2025.