Exploring Life & Business with Brittany Bunjovac of BBUN Beauty Aesthetic Injectables &Wellness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Bunjovac.

Hi Brittany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. 
Unfortunately for me, I had a dermal filler incident that left me with a near-emergency need to dissolve. When it became clear the provider, I selected was unable to manage my emergency despite providing the actual injection- I was disappointed and shocked to say the least. I knew I wanted to end up in the beauty industry, I was just not sure how or where my place was. Shortly after this incident, I realized the world of injectables was the “Wild West” and I wanted better for patients. So, I gave up my corporate job, went back to nursing school, and vowed to become the very best and safest nurse injector I possibly could. Of course, that was a brief description. My journey, like most of us, has come with a lot of hurdles, sacrifice, and hard work. I joke around you find out who your friends really are when you get married, go to nursing school, or start a business. Fortunately, for me, I did all three in a rather sped-up pace and happily can say the support system I have today is a wild part of my success, I spend zero dollars on marketing and amazingly enough am booked due to word of mouth. I guess you can say I am doing something right AND SAFE! 🙂 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth would be the word to describe my journey if it were opposite day. Starting from an early age, mathematics was a huge struggle for me. I felt very confident in my schooling, other than math, and allowed my struggles in a single subject to hold me back. For the nursing school I chose one had to not only take pre-requisite courses to apply to nursing school but also test to be considered for then an additional entry exam to apply to nursing school. Correct, again, first- classes, next, a test, then another test called an entry exam. One might see these tests as “just part of the process” for me knowing math was on the docket filled me with years of doubt. My first stab at the test, and I will never forget this, “student has an overall 98% of general understanding, however a 42% in math.” Ultimately, this led me to not even be considered for enrollment. So, I hired a tutor…in India. I would work Monday through Friday, then go home 4 nights a week and meet with a tutor from India virtually. She yelled at me often and tutored me for months before I could test again. I told no one foolishly I was ashamed. My brothers and parents great at math and yet me- horrible. But little did I know those late nights, tears, and frustration were molding me for my greater challenge- nursing school. And even more so, nursing school during a pandemic. 

We all remember COVID-19 a little differently. For me, I was a nurse extern making $13.75 an hour, working full time to earn actual bill money in addition to going to school. I missed so much time away from my family, including my Grandma Nancy. My Grandma for the sake of brevity was one of the best parts of my life. From a young age my grandma taught me hard work pays off if you work hard enough. She often asked me my life’s plan and would always say to me, “You will, Tag.” Never. “I hope it works out, good luck,” always, “You will, Tag” and usually hugged me tight. Even into my 30s, I would go see my grandma often, and she told me every chance she could, she believed in me. Sadly- in November 2020, after one of our visits, talks, and tight hugs, that was the last time I would see her. I remember driving away from her house thinking, “Good thing I hugged her tight, one day can be the last day I see her.” As I finished my nursing externship, I was shifted into COVID ICU. And with so many unknowns and so much exposure to covid, I stayed away from her. During this time, she grew ill and lost her life to septic shock 2 months from my graduation. We all lose loved ones; we all face doubt and disappointment but losing her and how I lost her was something I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. The truth is I was beyond sad. Getting up each day was difficult. Understanding why I had to lose her so young was frustrating. Going over and over all I could have done differently was torture. But in times of loss, I am a firm believer in order to truly honor someone, you honor what they stood for. If my grandma’s life could be summed up in one word- tenacity comes to mind. Right or wrong, better or worse, despite anything thrown her way, she managed. I had to manage. I finished school. I took state boards and was ironically granted my license number on her birthday, November 1st. 

Shortly after I earned my license, I began my job search. During covid many injections businesses were closed, or limited services, and ultimately were not hiring. So, I worked a traditional nursing job and injected at night or days when I was off. For months, I saw no profit, and just to gain experience would drive as far as Payson to inject. I drove a 2005 Dodge Ram that, towards the end was breaking down. I recall late summer 2021 applying in heat on foot in Scottsdale because I heard a doctor was hiring a nurse injector. I remember not gripping my paper resume tightly so sweat wouldn’t soak into the paper, and it was presentable. I showed up; the position was filled. I remember the front desk staff not even acknowledging my presence and whispering to each other as I left out the door back into the heat. I felt so discouraged that day, but I continued. 

After gaining some experience I decided to open my business two full days a week at a salon suite in North Phoenix. My rent was $50 a day, and I was so thankful to just make rent if it meant I was able to inject. I recall a week I made $500 with injectables and thought I was on top of the world. Fast forward 2 years later, I rent the largest suite in that building, inject full time, I have three employees, and am back in school for my nurse practitioner. 

Obstacles are tough, sadness is real, and when both of those hit you, you have two choices. I chose and will always choose tenacity. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My clinic is based around all things injectables and wellness. From weight loss supplements to skincare retail and aesthetic injectables, I hope to be your one-stop-shop to feel and look your best. I pride my practice on the basis of safety and science. Ultimately, I hold a science degree, with a nursing license and injectables training. If you break that down. I know why you feel or look not your best; I want to care for you and make you feel or look your best. 

As far as what I am known for, oddly enough, I was recently informed my business colors and love for educational videos on injectables is what sets me aside. The truth is, I was studying this industry before I could be in it. I crawled before I could walk, so to speak. I take great pride in my education and thirst for knowledge. I would say if I had one wish for anyone considering injectables, ask your injector if they know the risks and how to manage complications. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Personally, I feel like the industry is so young, let alone in the US. As aesthetics begins to be the more popular choice for nurses to pursue with their degree, we see new minds, new techniques, new strategies and I truly feel that nothing but innovation unlike times passed is before us. My HOPE for the industry for the next 5-10 years is to create more safety-based modalities. I wish so badly that ultrasound was in every practice, or big Pharma came out with a vascular occlusion-reversing drug stronger than Hyaluronidases and sure to defeat any vascular emergency. Lastly, I hope injectors continue to lean on one another and embrace collaboration over competition. There are so many people in this world and with that, there is so much room to make friends and grow. I always say- as long as kindness and patient safety is your thing, you can sit with me! 

Contact Info:

• Website: bbunbeauty.com
• Instagram: @bbunbeauty_nurseinjector