Oneonta, New York Studio Pivots, Seeks Help to Achieve Goals

Faced with changes due to recent regulations, a downtown Oneonta business is finding itself forced to pivot to other areas and is seeking crowdfunding to do so.

LUXX Whitening Studio, owned by Heather Sharpe, has been in business for just over two years and offers a variety of services such as teeth whitening, dental gems and permanent jewelry. Sharpe is also a makeup artist and works in local film and theater productions.

Sharpe has always had a servant’s heart, and it shows in her work. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always helped people. It was what I was meant to do. It’s what I was born to do. Whether it was caring for my siblings and helping them take care of themselves, or when I lovingly served patients as a nurse. My spiritual heart is reflected in how I raise my children. I’ve also helped survivors of abuse recover and improve their lives – that spirit is reflected in everything I do at LUXX.”

While her work may seem superficial at first glance, the end result is always to improve people’s lives. “Every client who has come through my studio, in one way or another, has had a smile on their face. It’s the first thing others see, and being a part of restoring people’s confidence is what motivates me every day,” Sharpe said.

With recent state regulations, that’s about to change. “I’ll no longer be able to offer teeth whitening or gems, so I’m going to have to change course. I’ll be adding inkless stretch mark revision and scar lightening, also known as paramedical tattooing, to LUXX’s menu of services.”

Inkless stretch mark revision and scar lightening is a technique created to help clients heal from experiences that may leave them with an altered physical appearance, such as scars and stretch marks. For example, women who have undergone a mastectomy as a result of cancer, or someone who has recovered from gender reassignment surgery, as well as those who have suffered self-inflicted injuries, would benefit from inkless stretch mark revision and scar lightening.

Sharpe says the service is life-changing for many people in the area. With a sudden loss of income due to service cuts, she is asking for help from the community through a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the pivot.

“I need the help of our local community to continue to help others, in and around our community,” Sharpe said.

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