About
THE ARTISTRY OF AESTHETICS
About MK Aesthetics: Minnetonka's Artistry-Driven Med Spa
Our Story
MK Aesthetics was founded in 2017 by Morgan Kraut Hylarides, RN, BSN. What began as a one-woman enterprise has grown into a well-respected brand encompassing a number of skilled injection specialists, providers and aestheticians. MK Aesthetics is your local skincare partner, and we continue to expand beyond the Western suburbs and throughout the greater Twin Cities.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER
Morgan Kraut Hylarides
"Our team’s approach is to create a customized skincare plan to meet any individual’s goals. Understanding that all of us age differently and can have varying levels of comfort with treatment options, we co-create a plan for each patient. As we progress in supporting patients’ skincare journeys, we see them with a new energy. They’re glowing with confidence inside and out. That is our ultimate goal." – M.K.H.
COME AS YOU ARE
Beauty from the Inside Out
At MK Aesthetics, we love helping our patients discover their most radiant skin at any age. When your skin looks vibrant, we notice your inner confidence shines through.
Our services address your individual skin needs, concerns and goals, ranging from skin rejuvenation and hyperpigmentation, to wrinkles and skin elasticity, to hydration, exfoliation and inner health.
QUALITY, ARTISTRY & EXPERIENCE
Our Mission
We empower women and men to feel confident in their own skin at any age, tailoring a custom plan that favors a more natural aesthetic for each patient. Our skilled providers deliver natural-looking results to help you bring out your best self and face the world with confidence as you age on your own terms throughout your skincare journey.
With over 30 years’ combined experience, the MK Aesthetics team is knowledgeable yet approachable. We empower our staff to be strong leaders, and we build real relationships with our patients.
Meet the Team
Morgan Kraut Hylarides, RN, BSN
Founder and CEO, Injection Specialist
Morgan Kraut Hylarides founded MK Aesthetics on the belief that beauty comes from the inside out. She is committed to providing patients with premier services and uses a conservative approach to treatments to deliver the most natural looking results. Morgan’s philosophy is to create relationships with patients built on trust and education.
As a Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse Injector committed to aesthetic education, Morgan has trained with some of the top injectors in the country. Morgan is certified in Botox, dermal fillers, Juvéderm, Restylane, Kybella, Sculptra, PRP, Sofwave and all advanced injection techniques. Her background as an emergency room and ICU nurse provides her with extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, reinforcing safety as her top priority. Morgan enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls, all things sports, and traveling when she’s not at MK Aesthetics.
Karen Collins, RN, BSN
Injection Specialist
Karen Collins is passionate about aesthetics and believes in using a conservative approach to treatments to provide patients with naturally beautiful results. She truly enjoys her work as an injection specialist and treasures the relationships she builds with her patients.
Karen fuels her passion for her career with continued education and training, with expertise in Botox/Dysport, dermal fillers, Scupltra, Kybella, SkinPen, PRP and Sofwave. Karen comes from a nursing background, with over 17 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse in medical, surgical, orthopedics, women’s surgical, and labor and delivery at a local Twin Cities hospital. She prioritizes the trust, health, safety and satisfaction of her patients. Outside of the medspa, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She also enjoys the outdoors, traveling and social activities with neighbors and friends.
Lisa Taffe, RN BSN
Injection Specialist & Laser Technician
Lisa Taffe is dedicated to wellness, preventive health, and empowering patients to live their most confident lives. With 18 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Lisa brings both skill and compassion to every patient interaction. Her passion for aesthetics began during a 6-year career in dermatology, where she worked closely with physicians and trained extensively in chemical peels and lasers. This experience sparked her love for helping patients look and feel their best through skin health and advanced treatments.
After spending time at home raising her children, Lisa also pursued her entrepreneurial spirit by opening a fashion boutique, blending her eye for beauty with her love of helping others feel confident. She now brings that same dedication to MK Aesthetics, where she prioritizes natural results, patient education, and individualized care.
When she’s not in the clinic, Lisa enjoys staying active, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband and kids. She’s passionate about balancing wellness, family, and aesthetics and is excited to share that balance with her patients.
Leslie Lee, NP
Injection & Wellness Specialist
Leslie Lee is a highly skilled Nurse Practitioner with more than 25 years in the beauty industry and over 15 years in medical aesthetics. She combines clinical expertise with an artistic eye to deliver results that are natural, refreshing, and confidence-boosting.
Leslie is certified in advanced injectable techniques and brings a holistic approach to her work, drawing from her background in wellness, hormone therapy, and functional medicine. She is passionate about helping both men and women feel their best inside and out by creating customized treatment plans that support overall health and aesthetic goals.
In addition to her clinical practice, Leslie has a strong passion for mentorship and has guided many nurses and new injectors entering the aesthetics industry. Her patients and colleagues know her for her gentle touch, integrity, and dedication to education.
Outside of MK Aesthetics, Leslie is a lifelong entrepreneur, wife, and mother of four. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandson, and is the heart behind several small-town businesses in southern Minnesota.
Rebecca Baer, AP Aesthetician
Skin Specialist & Laser Technician
Rebecca Baer is all about helping people feel confident in their own skin. Specializing in anti-aging treatments, Rebecca prides herself on keeping up with the latest science and technology to maximize results, and she works closely with some of the most renowned skincare brands in the nation. Rebecca strives to provide every patient with a better understanding of their own skin, along with recommendations for the best products and treatments the industry has to offer.
As a licensed AP aesthetician for more than 6 years, Rebecca has worked alongside many practitioners, plastic surgeons and other providers, helping her shape her vision for health and wellness. She specializes in DiamondGlow, chemical peels, customized facials and SkinPen. Rebecca enjoys biking year round, spending time with her husky dog, and enjoying time at the lake when she’s not at the medspa.
Sydney Grossklaus, AP Aesthetician
Skin Specialist
Sydney is determined in making sure she creates a genuine connection with everyone she meets. Sydney values personal growth and a positive mindset as part of her growing career as an AP Aesthetician. She specializes in client care and makes it her top priority to continue her education as a provider to give her clients real result driven treatments.
Being an Honors student with a strong background in customer service, Sydney excels in making her treatments feel like a custom experience. When Sydney isn’t at the clinic, you’ll always see her with one of her three sisters or sipping on a latte with her friends at a local coffee shop. She loves to fill her days with family and a long walk with one of her three dogs.
Taylor Wright, RN
Injection & Wellness Specialist
Taylor is passionate in helping patients feel confident in their skin through personalized treatments that enhance their natural beauty while prioritizing skin health.
With a background in dermatology and Mohs surgery, Taylor developed a strong foundation in skin health, patient care, and creating a comfortable, positive experience for every patient. She is passionate about helping clients achieve their aesthetic goals through treatments such as Botox and Dysport, SkinPen microneedling, under-eye biorejuvenation, PRP for hair restoration, and GlowTox. Her approach is centered around natural-looking results, individualized treatment plans, and helping every patient feel confident and cared for throughout their journey.
Taylor also loves being able to support patients beyond aesthetics through medical wellness services, including comprehensive labs, personalized consultations, peptide therapies, and IV therapy. She believes feeling your best comes from a personalized approach to both inner wellness and outer confidence.
Outside of the clinic, Taylor loves trying new restaurants, attending concerts, cooking, and spending time with her family, friends, and dog, Saint.
Marne Guthrie
AP Aesthetician & Laser Technician
Marne is a highly experienced esthetician and laser technician with more than 30 years in skincare and aesthetics. She combines advanced training, extensive industry knowledge, and a thoughtful approach to help clients feel confident in their skin while creating personalized treatment plans tailored to their individual goals and concerns.
Originally from Duluth, Marne trained in London and is CIDESCO-certified, spending 13 years in England before returning to the United States. Her experience includes working in a hospital-affiliated medical skin clinic and serving as a regional laser trainer for a national luxury spa brand, where she specialized in laser safety and treatment protocols. She is a Laser Safety Officer and certified oncology esthetician, with advanced certifications in Sciton HALO, HALO TRIBRID, MOXI, Alma, SkinPen microneedling, and more.
Marne has a particular passion for laser treatments and the transformation they can create in the skin. She takes the time to understand each client’s skin, goals, preferences, and concerns before developing a customized treatment approach. She is especially excited to be part of MK Aesthetics’ personalized treatment planning philosophy and helping clients achieve results that feel right for them.
Outside of MK Aesthetics, Marne is a lifelong Newcastle United fan, an avid Ted Lasso fan, and never misses a Wordle. Her go-to coffee order is a flat white with one sugar, and she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and family.
Miranda Nguyen
Patient Care Coordinator
Miranda is known for her radiant positivity and truly embodies the belief that confidence begins with feeling great in your own skin. She is passionate about creating exceptional experiences, ensuring that every individual who walks through the door receives personalized, compassionate care and leaves with a smile.
With a degree in biology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Miranda brings a science-driven approach to her role in aesthetics. Guided by a love for helping others feel their best, she strives to make every interaction meaningful, empowering clients to discover their own confidence.
Outside of work, Miranda enjoys staying active—whether it’s working out, hiking, or running. She also cherishes spending quality time with her two rescue dogs and exploring new travel destinations.
Micah Hylarides
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Micah Hylarides is the co-owner and Co-CEO of MK Aesthetics. Drawing on his extensive management experience and achievements as a former account executive, he excels at leading teams with a collaborative spirit and a track record of surpassing expectations. His strong business acumen fuels growth through strategic solutions and successful implementations. As a dedicated small business owner, Micah prioritizes family and faith, actively supporting the community through philanthropy. Passionate about fitness and wellness, he exemplifies a dedication to both aesthetics and overall health.
Christie Trinh
Marketing & Clinic Director
As our clinical and marketing director, Christie oversees all aspects of our clinical operations. She develops and executes comprehensive marketing strategies for MK Aesthetics and is prized for her meticulous approach to patient care. Christie enjoys keeping up with emerging trends and technologies in the aesthetics industry.
Christie loves coffee, and you can always find her sipping on an iced quad espresso. She has a big heart for animals, and when she’s not working, Christie enjoys spending time with her dogs. She is also very close with her family (where she’s known as Aunt Chi Chi), and loves spending time with her friends and her partner, Grant.
Erin Hein
Executive Director
Erin Hein is a seasoned wellness, spa, and medical aesthetics Executive Director with nearly two decades of experience, blending her expertise as a Practice Director, Educator, Consultant, and Business Development Executive. Her career spans from local business startups to established national organizations. Known for her creative innovation and strategic, growth-minded leadership, Erin is passionate about building meaningful relationships and creating exceptional service experiences. With a background in business administration and holistic health, along with certifications in purpose coaching and Reiki energy healing, Erin’s approach is rooted in a deep understanding of both business and personal wellness.
A melanoma cancer survivor, Erin is especially dedicated to promoting skin health and inspiring others to prioritize their well-being. And she truly believes that when you feel good, you look good! Erin’s work is guided by a commitment to empowering others to live and work with purpose and heart, embrace their authentic selves, and make a lasting, positive impact on the communities they serve. When she’s not leading in the industry, Erin enjoys spending time with her family—husband, 2 children, and new puppy—while staying active, continually learning, and exploring new travel destinations, especially those near the water.