RUSTY BITTLE
Title – Owner
Background – After experiencing several destination spas across the world, Rusty felt Knoxville deserved nothing less than the best in spa facilities. For the last two years, he has devoted his time, energy and resources to making Pure Luxe what it is today.
Favorite Quote – “I can’t believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.” –Lou Holtz
I truly enjoy building relationships with our clients. We strive to provide the best customer service possible in the nicest facility in town so people leave Pure Luxe feeling relaxed and better about themselves.
STEPHEN RUSSELL, MD
Title – Medical Director
Education – M.D., University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Background – With 33 years experience, Dr. Russell is the Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Turkey Creek Medical Center. He is a member of KAM EMS, TCMC’s Medical Executive Leadership and Critical Care committees, the American College of Emergency Physicians, TN Medical Association and TN ACEP.
SANDI KEY
Title – Administrative Director
Education – BS in Business Admin., University of Tennessee
Favorite Quote – “Tell me, and I’ll forget; show me, and I may remember; involve me, and I’ll understand.” –Chinese Proverb
Most of my time is spent in the back office, but I love meeting clients and learning about their lives... seeing their faces and hearing their stories.
JULIE DICKEY
Title – Communications Director
Education – BS in Communications, University of Tennessee
Favorite Quote – “Fear God and nothing else. You will experience things other people only read about.” –Beth Moore
Beauty is more than an appearance; it’s a feeling. Everyday, we play a role in making women feel beautiful, and I’m blessed to be a part of that.
LAURA ELIJAH
Title – General Manager
Education – BS in Communications, University of Tennessee
Favorite Quote – “I’ve got a witch mad at me, and you might get into trouble.” –Dorothy Gale, The Wizard of Oz
The best part about the beauty industry is having the ability to make women feel great about themselves.
LINDSAY TAYLOR
Title – Guest Services Manager
Education – BS in Communications, University of Tennessee
Favorite Quote – “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.” –Henry David Thoreau
I truly love meeting our clients and finding ways to make them feel special and appreciated.
HANANE THOMPSON
Title – Spa Concierge
Background – Hailing from Milan, Italy, Hanane is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish, French and Arabic. She is currently pursuing a degree in international business and French.
Favorite Quote – "Love must be as much a light as it is a fire."
–Henry David Thoreau
I enjoy being in contact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. I'm also very passionate about helping women achieve the self confidence they need to face daily life.
ALI HITZING
Title – Guest Services Coordinator
Education – BS in Business Administration, Lipscomb University
Favorite Quote – “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.” –Tao Te Ching
What I enjoy most about my job is providing great customer service and working with new people everyday.
LUBA LEE, FNP-BC
Title – Nurse Practitioner
Education – MS in Nursing, University of Tennessee
Background – Luba earned her graduate degree in nursing with a concentration in family practice from UT Knoxville. With five years experience as a nurse practitioner, she has a certification in aesthetic procedures from the American Board of Aesthetic Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Favorite Quote – "A job worth doing is a job worth doing well." –Proverb
By supporting my patients' efforts to look better through the use of aesthetic medicine, I serve as a catalyst for the improvement of their overall health and well-being... and who wouldn't want to be a part of that?
ROBBIE ARLEDGE
Title – Registered Nurse
Education – BS in Nursing, University of Memphis
Background – With 22 years of nursing experience and a passion for medical aesthetics, Robbie provides injectables, laser services, hyfrecation and sclerotherapy to patients. Training includes BOTOX, JUVÉDERM, Merz Aesthetics, Cutera Lasers and Obagi. Certifications include BLS, ACLS, PALS and AWHONN.
Favorite Quote – “If I speak in tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and knowledge and have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” –1 Corinthians 13:1-2
I really love working one-on-one with my clients to develop their own personal skincare plans that make them feel and look the way they want to.
BROOKE WALKER
Title – Registered Nurse
Education – BS in Nursing, University of Tennessee
Background – Brooke began her nursing career eight years in UT Medical Center's ICU. Today, she offers injectable and laser services to her patients. Training includes BOTOX, JUVÉDERM, Merz Asthetics, Dr. Jill Lezaic, Cutera Lasers and Obagi. Certifications include BLS and ACLS.
Favorite Quote – “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” –Winston Churchill
I enjoy forming relationships with my clients. It’s a rewarding profession that helps others enhance their self-image and reach their skincare goals.
ANNIE LUCAS
Title – Master Stylist & Creative Director
Background – After completing her education at Aveda in Minneapolis, Annie began her career in Oxford, England, receiving advanced training in London. With more than 11 years industry experience, Annie brings vast knowledge and skill to the salon team. A seasoned trainer, she oversees salon education.
Favorite Quote – “I think, therefore I am.” –René Descartes
I love doing hair because it’s fun! And I enjoy the people and the conversations – you get to know a human and find out what’s really important to them. It gives me a whole-world perspective.
ERIN LOVELY
Title – Senior Stylist
Background – From day one, Erin has played a vital role in the development of our salon. Her innate talent was cultivated early on, and with six years experience, she assists with education, offering a modern and luxurious edge to our color training.
Favorite Quote – “There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.” –Marc Gohres
I believe doing hair is a form of art, and art is what I’m passionate about! Using what I know and love to make people feel better about themselves is incredibly rewarding.
MARY CATHERINE HOLLISTER
Title – Senior Stylist
Background – Mary Catherine has 22 years experience and was a part of our charter team. "MC" has a highly loyal following and has completed extended education at the Keone Academy in Amsterdam and the L’Oréal Soho Academy in NYC.
Favorite Quote – “Nothing will change in your life if you don’t do something different from what you are doing.” –E. Perry Good
What I love most about my job is having the opportunity to make someone smile.
BRITTANY MULLINS
Title – Designer Stylist
Background – Brittany has more than six years experience and has trained with well-known educators, including Alex Hardy, Brian and Tracy Smith Grieve and Tom Gallagher. Enthusiastic and fun, Brittany fills our salon with a unique energy.
Favorite Quote – “Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.” –Mary McLeod Bethune
I just love making others feel beautiful!
WHITNEY WILLIAMS
Title – Talent Stylist
Background – Whitney has three years experience. Her artistic flair and spirited personality are her earmarks, so it's no surprise that her career began in creative cutting and coloring.
Favorite Quote – “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” –Serenity Prayer
I am inspired by people, the diversity in their stories and the opportunity to make them feel awesome about themselves.
AUDREY FLEEMAN
Title – Talent Stylist
Background – Audrey has three years experience. She began her career as a cut specialist, receiving advanced training from the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica. Her retro-glam style is perfectly synergetic with the rest of the salon team.
Favorite Quote –"I have found the paradox: That if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." –Mother Theresa
I love making people feel great about themselves and working in such a creative industry.
ASHTON ZACHARY
Title – Salon Tech
Background – A Paul Mitchell graduate, Ashton currently serves as the salon tech. Under the supervision of Annie Lucas, she will receive further training before advancing to a stylist position.
Favorite Quote – “What lies behind us and before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
My favorite thing about doing hair is expressing myself through a unique form of art while conveying and enhancing each client's individual style.
HEATHER DOLEN
Title – Licensed Massage & Nail Therapist, Guest Services
Background – Heather is one of our most versatile team members. With seven years experience, she excels in all areas. She has completed several education courses, including L’Oréal cutting, OPI Axxium, Shellac polish and Bamboo Fusion.
Favorite Quote – “Happiness is not a horse. You cannot harness it.” –Chinese Proverb
I enjoy helping people feel better, physically and mentally, and love the relationships I get to build with my clients.
JILL COLLINS
Title – Licensed Massage Therapist & Yoga Instructor
Background – Jill has 10 years experience and did her yoga training under renowned instructor Baron Baptiste in the Yucatán Peninsula. Her certifications include Bamboo Fusion, Power Yoga and Yoga Fit Levels 1-5. Jill offers our full menu of massage and body therapies.
Favorite Quote – “It’s not the length of life, but the depth of life.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
I love working on people and helping them overcome physical issues and limitations through yoga and massage. My knowledge of yoga really compliments my massage work… The two practices go hand-in-hand.
CARRIE GRUNDT
Title – Licensed Massage Therapist
Background – Carrie completed her education at the Southern Massage Institute in Memphis and has nine years experience. She provides our full menu of massage and body therapies to her clients, with the exception of Yogassage.
Favorite Quote – “The best things in life aren’t things.” –Ann Launders
I love being able to make people happy through massage therapy. Not only do they feel good on the inside, but on the outside as well!
SARAH TRINGALE
Title – Licensed Massage Therapist & Yoga Instructor
Background – A CORE graduate, Sarah has 10 years of massage experience. She is also a certified EKG Tech and yoga instructor. Sarah offers our full menu of massage and body therapies, with the exception of Yogassage and Bamboo Fusion.
Favorite Quote – "You can't be afraid to fail if you want to learn how to succeed." –Lebron James
I enjoy being able to help make each of my client's day better through massage therapy.
LEIGH NORRIS
Title – Licensed Massage Therapist
Background – Leigh received her massage therapy license from the Tennessee School of Massage. With eight years experience, she provides our full menu of massage therapies, with the exception of Yogassage, Bamboo Fusion and Deux de Luxe.
Favorite Quote – "What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?" –Robert Schuller
Helping people is a passion of mine, and massage therapy is a great way for me to always be in the moment when helping others. It's also great feeling when my clients are happy to see me.
PAMELA LANE
Title – Licensed Aesthetician & NovaLash Artist
Background – Pamela has three years industry experience. She is a certified NovaLash Artist and volunteers with Look Good Feel Better, an organization that teaches female cancer patients how to combat appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.
Favorite Quote – “You can take no credit for beauty at 16. But if you're beautiful at 60, it is your soul’s own doing.” –Marie Stopes
This industry is exciting, rewarding and constantly changing. I enjoy helping others with their skin by eliminating sun damage, reducing the signs of wrinkles and aging and providing solutions for the acne-prone.
HEATHER LEE PELIZZA
Title – Licensed Aesthetician & Makeup Artist
Background –
Favorite Quote –
VICKY MYERS
Title – Licensed Aesthetician & Nail Therapist
Background – Vicky has 10 years experience in the spa industry. She is dual-licensed, providing exceptional service in both the spa and the nail salon. Vicky has also completed her Advanced Nail Technician and CND Master Painter certifications.
Favorite Quote – “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” –Forrest Gump
I love when clients see a difference in their skin, whether it’s through a new skincare regimen, facials or chemical peels. I also enjoy making clients’ nails look beautiful.
DEBRA EPPS
Title – Licensed Nail Therapist
Background – Having completed her nail technician license in 1978, Debra brings 34 years industry experience to Pure Luxe. In November 2011, after owning her own nail salon for many years, she decided to join our nail salon team. Debra is currently pursuing her advanced and medical nail technician certifications.
Favorite Quote – "Life is good." –John & Bert Jacobs
The clients I work with are wonderful. They're the best part of my day!
BRENDA JENKINS
Title – Licensed Nail Therapist
Background – Brenda has 16 years experience in nail therapy and has a highly loyal following. Throughout her years as a spa professional, Brenda has received training in OPI, creative nail design and Shellac polish.
Favorite Quote – “You may delay, but time will not.” –Benjamin Franklin
I enjoy providing exceptional customer care and satisfaction each day.
SUMMER SHARP
Title – Licensed Nail Therapist
Background – Summer has four years experience as a nail therapist and completed her education at the Tennessee School of Beauty. She also has a Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology from the University of Tennessee.
I love having the opportunity to help clients relax and de-stress after they've had a long day.