If Nina Rolleston followed a roadmap, she’d probably ignore it halfway through and find her own way instead. From dentistry to clinic ownership, Nina’s career has been shaped less by rigid plans and more by curiosity, adaptability and saying yes to opportunities when they appeared.
And honestly? That’s part of what makes her story so relatable. Sometimes the best career moves aren’t carefully mapped out. They start with a little curiosity and a willingness to back yourself.
“I’m pretty much a sponge, you put me in a situation and I kind of just absorb everything,” the 34-year-old explained. This positive attitude been the core foundation on which Nina has built her successful career.
It’s a quality that’s served her well throughout her career. Whether learning new skills, adapting to a different industry or navigating business ownership, Nina’s approach has always been the same: stay curious and keep learning.
Nina spent half her life in dentistry where she worked in various positions, poached by a world-renowned dental clinic in the later years, an opportunity that moved her from Darwin to Brisbane in 2010.
Fast forward ten years and the story looks very different. Nina now co-owns a SILK clinic in Brookside, Queensland, alongside two business partners. Not bad for someone who never set out with a carefully crafted master plan.
At SILK Laser Clinics, Nina’s leadership helps shape the experience clients receive every day. Through advanced skin technologies, personalised treatment plans and expert guidance, her team supports clients in achieving their individual skin goals. By focusing on education, transparency and tailored care, Nina has helped create an environment where clients feel informed, supported and confident throughout their skin journey.
When asked about whether she’s ever had a first-hand sneak peek into the beauty industry to understand what it was like before taking the plunge, Nina explains that she didn’t. Despite this, her can-do attitude, drive and commitment to ensuring the success of the clinic, meant it didn’t matter.
It wasn’t about knowing everything from day one. It was about being willing to learn, ask questions and lean on the expertise around her.
Nina explains that she has since taken the time to educate herself about the industry surrounding herself with industry leaders to develop her skills and knowledge.
“They’ve taught me everything I know about the products, ingredients, skin treatments, literally everything,” Nina proudly explains. That commitment to learning benefits clients directly, ensuring every treatment recommendation is supported by up-to-date knowledge, advanced technology and a personalised approach to care. At SILK, great results are built through collaboration, expert guidance and understanding each client’s unique goals.
“I’m someone who loves change, and I actually really thrive in that environment, so for me, I loved it and I’m more than happy to put my hand up and say to someone: great question, I actually don’t know the answer but let me check with one of my senior therapists and I’ll get back to you.”
We love this mindset. Great client experiences often start with people who are confident enough to keep learning and humble enough to keep asking questions.
After being offered the opportunity to buy into a SILK franchise clinic in Brisbane with her best friend, Kasi and Kasi’s husband, Mick, Nina, excited by the opportunity, took the plunge.
“Mick has always been the third wheel of mine and Kasi’s friendship,” Nina laughs. “We have been best friends for 17 years. Mick came into the picture 10 years ago.”
It’s a reminder that some of the strongest businesses are built on trust, friendship and a shared vision, with a little good humour thrown in for good measure.
When describing the relationship between her and her business partners, Rolleston explains, “We have a very respectful business relationship. They understand that I’m on ground zero and dealing with the day-to-day running of the business. I also have the support of that sounding board, second opinion and someone to bounce ideas off.”
Of course, every business journey comes with a few plot twists. For Nina and her team, those twists arrived sooner than anyone could have expected.
However, like other entrepreneurs, Rolleston’s journey came with its own set of ups and downs, and this was definitely the case after the pandemic swept across the world with the clinic going into lockdown only a couple of months after their debut, mid 2020.
“I can’t even explain what the feeling was, it was like a sudden breakup topped with betrayal. You feel like you owe your staff so much as you’re the reason they’re able to put a roof over their head, or feed their children, then all of the sudden they don’t have jobs and I can’t help them. So if it wasn’t for things like jobkeeper, government subsidies and rebates, we probably wouldn’t have survived.”
It’s a feeling many business owners will understand. Behind every clinic are real people, real livelihoods and a team that becomes a second family.
At the time of writing, Queensland had since experienced four lockdowns.
Referencing the lipstick effect, a study that showed in times of hardship, women would prioritise personal indulgences that make them feel good.
“Suddenly skin and cosmetic treatments went through the absolute roof after the lockdowns, we grew with staff and thus far, have continued to grow.”
It turns out that feeling good in your skin never goes out of style. As clients returned, so did opportunities for growth.
Each rebound post-lockdown was also further bolstered and supported by the clinics’ local communities. The support of the team she works with, which she labels as an “army of women,” the community that are determined to help support local businesses and the SILK head office all has been key to guiding her and her partners to where they are now. Nina now has nine staff, more than double the amount when the clinic first opened.
At SILK Laser Clinics, that same commitment to support extends directly to clients. Under Nina’s leadership, the focus is on combining advanced treatments with personalised care, transparent pricing and recommendations tailored to individual goals. By taking the time to understand each client’s concerns, the team helps build long-term confidence and lasting relationships based on trust and exceptional care.
According to Nina, none of the success happened in isolation. It came from supportive teammates, loyal clients, local communities and a network of people all pulling in the same direction.
“Completing my training in Adelaide, I remember someone saying “once your staff come to SILK they will never go anywhere else.’”
And, after the turbulence of COVID, Nina finally understood what they meant.
Looking back, Nina’s journey is a reminder that successful careers don’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes they take unexpected turns, come with a few challenges and require plenty of learning along the way. With the right support, a willingness to grow and a passion for helping people, those turns can lead somewhere pretty extraordinary.
