The Start

Boy, oh boy, has it been a whirlwind of my first year in business. From starting my solo adventure in August of last year to switching business locations exactly one year later, it’s been quite the ride. Somewhere in between that, life and my career kept on happening. Let me just say, even when you’re yelling at life to please be gentle with you or asking for a steady course for once, it usually has a mind of its own. I’m continually reminded that sometimes you have to let go of the steering wheel and let life take you where it wants to go—not where YOU want it to go. And for a Type A control freak like me, that mindset is far from easy.

I want to take you all through my journey and thought process of opening my own business. Sometimes it’s easier to sugarcoat the not-so-fun details and present a picture-perfect life, especially through social media. But that’s not how I want anyone to view me. I strive to be as real as possible, and being real means sharing the struggles just as much as the triumphs. So, welcome to the first entry of a blog from a 24-year-old esthetician and business owner.

In August of last year, I felt a calling deep in my heart that it was time for a transition within my career. I’d spent the last four years soaking in as much knowledge as I could to better educate my clients and provide meaningful results. I put in countless hours of hands-on practice, and to all the OG clients who trusted me during those early stages, I can’t thank you enough. I firmly believe that in order to build confidence in a skill, you have to practice it, over and over again. That’s exactly what I did—and it fueled a burning passion in me to help others feel even just a little better than they did before they walked through my door. So, I signed a lease on an empty garage studio and got to work.

The initial stages of dreaming are always exciting. You envision how things are going to pan out, picture how everything will look and feel. But the reality of getting to that point, well, it usually sucks. A lot. Then, when you finally reach what you could’ve only dreamed of a year ago, more dreams pop into your head, fueling the cycle. But for now, let’s stick with the first dream that started it all.

I knew I wanted my own space. I wanted my clients to walk in and feel like it was just a hangout session with a friend, not a formal in-out appointment. I wanted to customize my services to each individual because every person is unique. What works for one might not work for another. I wanted to offer results while still providing relaxation, believing that the two can coexist in one service.

So, I started crafting a service menu that reflected this vision. It also needed to showcase my dedication to education and the time I spent perfecting my craft. I decided to take on the role of website designer, only to quickly realize that I’m definitely not a website designer. It would take me hours to type even one thing into the fancy website designing tool I paid for, adding yet another expense to the never-ending list of costs that come with starting a business. However, the best part of surrounding yourself with talented people is knowing someone for every job you may need help with. So with that in mind, I tapped my sister to take over the website design. Soon, not only did I have a fully functional website, but a beautiful logo as well, designed by someone I love and admire.

Next came all the licensing. I had to make The Skin Studio official, so I registered it as an LLC, filed for my EIN number, and applied for my sales tax and salon licenses, which, surprisingly, turned out to be the easiest part of it all. Now, I was truly official. It all started to feel real.

While working on the official documents, I was also prepping my physical location. This meant lots of painting. I’d get off work and immediately head to the studio to roll coat after coat of primer and paint on the walls. Many nights, I would work into the early morning before calling it a day, only to wash out the brushes and trudge home with paint-covered skin and hair. Then, I’d wake up early to do it all again. Along the way, friends pitched in to help—they picked up paintbrushes, built furniture, and even hung ridiculous curtains from the tallest ceilings because I was too broke to hire professionals to build walls. With every sigh of exhaustion, I knew I was one step closer to making my dream a reality. Sure enough, one month later, I had enough finishing touches done to officially open The Skin Studio.

One month may not seem like much time to launch an entirely new business, but sometimes opportunities come knocking faster than you expect. Knowing I had an army of people supporting and cheering me on gave me the confidence to take the leap and push forward.

In the beginning, my goal was simple: I just wanted to cover my house mortgage and studio rent. But with the incredible support from clients and the recommendations from friends, I was able to do just that—and more. The love and support I’ve received has been overwhelming. I’m so grateful to everyone who booked an appointment, referred a friend, or has liked and shared a post. I literally owe the success of this dream to each and every one of you.

And so, the journey continues. I can’t wait to share more of my story as I grow, learn, and face new challenges. Thank you for being part of this adventure—this is just the beginning.