Reflections on Five Years in Business
It's hard to believe I'm celebrating the fifth anniversary of being in business. It feels like I've always had this company, and it also feels like I just started it simultaneously. Time is weird.
I can't even think about how I feel without bursting at the seams with gratitude. I can only do this and live my dream life because of you. Everyone who has read the words I write purchased products from my online shop visited for treatment, or followed along on social media. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it.
I thought it was only appropriate to sit down and reflect on the last five years, and I decided to take you along on this journey. At the end of this article is an announcement and ticket link for the next in-person workshop, a Summer Solstice gathering, and a facial massage self-care workshop on June 21!
The backstory:
I became a licensed esthetician in 2007 while in college, deciding whether to go into journalism or nutrition, taking classes in both. Back then, the field of esthetics wasn't a familiar one. Whenever I told people what I was doing, they would stare at me blankly. But I found it fascinating and wanted to learn more. I started working at a spa in Denver and over time realized that the "one-size-fits-all" approach wasn't enough for me, I needed more stimulation for my mind. I wanted to dig deeper and truly understand the skin in a way I never had before.
So, I decided to train as an esthetics instructor, leading me down a seven-year path in education. Teaching adults is tough, but it helped me develop skills I still use today--like researching, educating, and communicating. And it gave me a deeper understanding of skin that I probably would not have achieved had I not been teaching it. Even though I loved seeing my students succeed in the field, I knew I still had more to offer and wanted to pursue starting my own business.
That's where Stratum Aesthetics comes in. I launched the business in the spring of 2018, and it's been a fantastic journey ever since.
What I've Learned in Five Years as a Business Owner and 16 Years as an Esthetician:
Knowing about an abundance mindset is much different than embodying an abundance mindset. The embodiment takes lots of internal work.
Believing that you can do anything is more than half of the battle; our mindset can profoundly impact our success. When we believe in ourselves, we approach tasks and challenges with confidence and determination, which can help us perform at our best and achieve our goals.
A positive money mindset is a lifelong journey, and it's essential to understand that making money is not sleazy. In fact, it can create more prosperity in the world, which in turn can help more people.
I've found a lot of magic in the power of generosity and how it can come back to you in unexpected ways.
Energy hygiene is vital, along with taking care of myself to avoid burnout, which can be a common issue for entrepreneurs- but anyone who has a career working with other people.
Humility is another key value that I have learned to cultivate over the years. They share how after five years as an esthetician, I thought I knew everything, but ten years down the line, I realized they knew nothing. And after the decade mark is when I learned the balance between confidence and humility, which has helped me navigate both my business and personal life.
There is always room to pivot, and taking risks and trying new things can lead to unexpected opportunities. We live in an exciting time where anything is possible; it's up to us to create the life we want.
What I'm proud of:
I've created a space where people can come to lighten the weight of their burdens and remember their innate beauty.
I have a great and robust client list filled with people I have intentionally attracted.
I do great work and genuinely feel like I am living my purpose and calling- which I think is the meaning of life.
I've never stopped learning or grown stagnant, and I even completed my first herbalism training and leaned into my true self; incorporating this into my practice felt like a huge missing piece.
I survived a worldwide pandemic and continued to turn a profit (which was terrifying, especially when I was called to do an interview for a magazine titled "the extinction of the Esthetician" (I wasn't published because I was not giving them the kind of answers they wanted- I only wanted to talk about how I didn't think that was the case ha)!
I've established my core values as a company.
I've had unique opportunities to write articles for multiple professional industry educational magazines. I have three more coming out in Dermascope this year, so keep your eyes peeled!
What's Next:
Stratum Aesthetics Herbal Teas are getting very close to production; we've been waiting a long time for this, I've been talking about it for over two years, but it's a whole process to do it correctly!
I'm looking forward to increasing the digital content I create and working to serve more people than I currently am and share more of what is on my heart through this avenue.
I have a list of classes that I am enrolled in that I will be taking this year to bring even more to the treatment room than I have thus far.
I am looking at further advancing my herbalism training this year and finishing my organic skincare formulation courses which I am currently enrolled in and working through!
More workshops!
Workshop announcement:
Summer Solstice Gathering
Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 6-9 pm
Click Here to Purchase Your Tickets
Join us for a transformative Summer Solstice event that will leave you with a lifetime of value. In this gathering, you will learn how to care for your skin holistically through the power of facial massage.
This workshop will feature "no tools needed" face lifting and sculpting self-massage techniques, lymphatic drainage and buccal/intraoral massage. Your expert instructor will guide participants through the techniques, teaching them how to reduce puffiness, promote circulation, and achieve a more youthful appearance. This series of techniques and exercises will help you to understand the connection between your skin and your overall health and well-being.
Whether you're looking to pamper yourself or learn new beauty techniques, this event is perfect for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to unwind and treat yourself!