2022 to 2024: how we nearly lost everything and rebuilt the school

Our story

Published October 21, 2026Updated October 21, 20262 min read

This is part two of our story. Read part one: How we opened a permanent makeup school in the middle of COVID.

In 2022 our life and our business changed at the same time.

In February, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Anna was born in Melitopol and Alex in Berdyansk. Both cities were occupied during the first week of the invasion, and they are still under Russian control. There are constant military actions, power and internet outages, and very poor communication. We still worry about our families every day. In August of the same year, Anna and Alex had their first child, a daughter. We had waited for her for a very long time, and we wanted to give her all of our attention.

For the business, it was a perfect storm. The families behind it could no longer give it the time it needed, and our focus was gone. The school stopped bringing in revenue while the costs stayed: rent, loans, and marketing commitments. Our business partners stepped back, and Anna kept the company together with all of its obligations. She still had her team and her services, and we kept doing what we could.

Then a letter arrived from BPPE, the bureau that oversees private education in California. The pricing structure of our courses did not follow the rules, and we received a $25,000 fine. We had always taken our work seriously, but we had never heard of this bureau. We suspect many private schools have not either, because nobody tells you about it. We even considered going to court and looked for people who could help, but in the end we paid it, over several years. It was a shock for the whole team.

Rent in North Park was more than $6,000 a month, which was impossible without revenue. We negotiated an installment arrangement with the landlord and looked for a sublease. We talked to lawyers about every option. At the same time we had a small child at home, and key members of our service team left during that hard period.

The downtown space before the renovation: dark patterned carpet, fluorescent ceiling lights and an old sofa — The downtown space in February 2024, before the renovation.

Demolition in the downtown space: torn-up carpet, ceiling fixtures and debris on the floor — Demolition: old carpet, fixtures and ceiling lights come out.

By 2024 we knew we had to rebuild. In February 2024 we moved to a new space downtown, the same address where Anna teaches today. We started the rebrand and planned a full renovation, this time with everything we had learned from our first location, including permits and licenses.

The downtown hall gutted down to the concrete floor, with taped windows and a stepladder — The hall stripped to the floor, windows taped for the work.

The building's street frontage with a freshly painted gray planter and large windows — The street frontage, freshly painted.

The renovated downtown hall with three treatment beds, round backlit mirrors and a gray wood-look floor — The renovated hall: treatment beds, round backlit mirrors, new floor.

Reception desk reading Anna Kara's Beauty PMU Studio under copper pendant lamps — The new reception.

Close view of the white ribbed reception desk with the Anna Kara's Beauty PMU Studio sign — The reception desk up close.

Anna Kara with two students standing in front of the white ribbed reception desk under copper pendant lamps — Anna with students at the new reception after the move.

Anna taking a selfie in the downtown classroom with three students at a white table with course binders and a skin model — In the downtown classroom with one of the first groups.

The BPPE fine changed how we work. Today we run the Academy according to California law, and we take every rule seriously.

Read part three: From survival to growth: how the Academy works today.

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Our story
New PMU
Academy history
BPPE
rebrand
2024 move

Alex Kara

Alex Kara is Anna Kara's husband. He ran the renovation of the studio and works on the Academy's website and marketing.

Frequently asked questions

What is BPPE and why did the school receive a fine?

BPPE is the California bureau that oversees private education. The pricing structure of the school's courses did not follow the rules, and the school received a $25,000 fine, which it paid over several years.

When did the Academy move downtown?

In February 2024 the school moved to a new space downtown and started the rebrand and a full renovation.

Where is the Academy now?

Anna Kara's Permanent Makeup Academy is at 1357 Seventh Ave, Ste C, San Diego, CA 92101.

What changed after the BPPE fine?

The team now runs the Academy according to California law and takes every rule seriously. The renovation of the downtown space was planned with permits and licenses.

Who runs the Academy now?

Anna Kara founded the school and teaches. After the business partners stepped back, Anna kept the company with all of its obligations. Today the two main instructors are Anna and Anastasia.

About the Academy

Anna Kara's Permanent Makeup Academy teaches permanent makeup in San Diego, California, at 1357 Seventh Ave, Ste C, San Diego, CA 92101. It started as New PMU in North Park.