Back in April, 20-year-old Amherst native Maya Burke moved into her downtown space at 28 Church Street and launched Maya Burke Aesthetics, and she couldn’t be happier with her decision.
Recently, members of Council met with the young entrepreneur to present her with a new business certificate and officially welcome her to Church Street.
“I never thought at 20 years old that I was going to open up my own business,” shared Maya. “After graduating, I worked for someone for a few months and I started to get these ideas that it would be pretty cool to open up on my own. I just had a feeling one day and I was like, ‘You know what? I’m going to open up my own business.’ And I went for it; I would never change it for the world.”
Maya graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 2022, then went on to attend a medical aesthetics program in Moncton where she obtained the skills required for her chosen career.
Although she has a very full client list already, Maya does have a waitlist and encourages anyone who’s interested to visit her website, explore her service offerings, and take advantage of online booking. Services include manicures, pedicures, tinting and waxing, facials, dermaplaning, chemical peels, relaxation massages, lashes, and brow lamination.
Maya Burke accepts a new business certificate from Deputy Mayor Fawthrop, with Councillors Baker, Chambers, and Landry.
“My kind of niche is skincare – that’s kind of my specialty,” said Maya. “I would like to move into more skincare downstairs and get some facial equipment and machines.”
In addition to her aesthetic services, Maya has a variety of beauty products available for purchase on her storefront and on her website. Part of her storefront includes a selection of gently-used clothing items, and this is something she is interested in expanding.
“This whole month for me has been prom and graduation, also weddings – so, I’ve had a massive waitlist,” Maya shared. “I’m only one person and I wish some days I could be five people at once.”
Maya explained that she’s felt incredibly welcome as a new business owner in downtown Amherst, and said that she’s already created friendships with a number of other business owners nearby. “I love being downtown, especially since the business community is so awesome. It’s great to be able to connect with other business owners and kind of bounce off of each other with ideas.”
It’s clear to Maya that doing business in a small town comes with lots of benefits.
“I always like to say, ‘Be your own kind of beautiful.’ And I love my job so much because I get to watch people kind of find themselves again. Just a manicure can make you feel like yourself again. I’m watching people light up, and that is pretty cool.”
Maya Burke Aesthetics is located at 28 Church Street in downtown Amherst. Website | Facebook
