Written by: Cassi Smith
Kiana Highfield was just 22 when she took the leap that would eventually grow into Your Naked Best Medical Aesthetics, a Métis-owned business grounded in care, connection, and community. Raised in the small town of Lampman, Kiana originally pursued Dental Assisting but quickly decided it wasn’t the right fit. “I was struggling with my own skin, which sparked my interest in the aesthetics industry,” explains Kiana. “The following year, I moved back to Calgary to complete my diploma in Medical Aesthetics.”
Inspired by her family of entrepreneurs, Kiana immediately began taking steps to build her own business while still completing her diploma. “Before I was finished school, I started ordering equipment and supplies I would need to get my business up and running,” she explains. “After finishing the program, I returned home ready to begin my journey in the industry and start helping others achieve their skin goals.”
Operating out of a small room in a salon, and later a massage studio, Your Naked Best grew steadily until it became clear Kiana needed her own space. It was around then that she found CCDF. Kiana recalls reading through the programs, immediately recognizing how aligned they were with her goals, and reaching out. “After our first conversation, I knew they were the right fit. The team was supportive, informative, and genuinely interested in helping me succeed.” CCDF entered the picture at a time when the business needed to expand sustainably, and their support would help her take her next major step.
That next step was also possible thanks to her grandmother, Caroline Saxon. Having outgrown her current rental, Kiana asked her grandmother if she’d consider renovating her longtime hair salon to make space for YNB. Caroline said yes and together, the two created a shared professional home, blending two generations of beauty entrepreneurship. “My grandma has owned and operated her hair salon from 1984 to 2024,” says Kiana. “Her ability to build and sustain a business for forty years is something I admire, and I hope to one day reach a milestone like that myself.”
Kiana’s grandma is also the person who shaped her understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur. “She always pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me entrepreneurship isn’t just about running a business, it’s about leadership, community, and perseverance.” The space Kiana works in today isn’t just a location; it is a continuation of her grandmother’s legacy and a reflection of the values that guided their family for decades.
Inspired by her grandmother and backed by CCDF’s financial support and guidance, Kiana was able to purchase a new device that expanded the variety of clients she could treat. “My youngest laser client is just three years old, and my oldest is 89,” she says. “CCDF’s guidance gave me the confidence and resources I needed to move forward with the expansion. It has allowed me to continue growing my business and provide inclusive, results-driven skincare solutions for every client who walks through my doors.”
To Kiana, being a client with CCDF has been nothing short of amazing. “The team I worked with has been supportive right from the start. I really appreciated that I was never left in the dark, the entire process was clearly communicated, and I always knew where things were at.” As a young Métis woman running a business she built from the ground up, Kiana says it means a great deal to work with an organization focused on uplifting Indigenous entrepreneurs. “It’s inspiring to work with a team that understands the challenges and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs and is committed to helping us succeed.”
Looking ahead, Kiana hopes to build her team and expand her services, while maintaining the client-centred approach that makes YNB feel personal and welcoming. She wants to continue incorporating new technologies and treatments without losing the heart of what she built: a space that helps people feel confident, supported, and cared for.
https://www.yournakedbestskin.com/