Nine Lessons in Nine Years: What Skincare, Success & Community Taught Me
Nine years, can you believe it? When I first opened Enlightened Beauty, I had no idea the kind of ride I was in for. There’s been wins that made me want to pop champagne, challenges that kept me up at night, and lessons I had to learn the hard way. Honestly, every single moment shaped who I am today and what this business has become.
I wanted to share these lessons not just to look back, but to help you. If you’re an esthetician building your dream, think of this as a little roadmap from someone who’s been in the trenches for almost a decade. And if you’re a client (hi, beauties!), these lessons will give you a peek behind the curtain into why our treatments and events feel the way they do. Here at Enlightened Beauty, it’s never just been about facials. To us, it’s about the community and the energy we’ve built here.
Nine years later, I can say this: success in skincare isn’t only about the products or the services. It’s about people, consistency, and showing up with heart. Here are nine lessons from nine years that changed everything for me, and one big discovery that still blows my mind: how hosting events turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done for my business.
Let’s get into it!
9 Lessons Learned in 9 Years of Running a Skincare Business
1. Growth attracts criticism
When you start winning, not everyone claps. Sometimes the whispers get louder as the results do. I used to take it personally, now I treat it like background noise and keep moving. If no one is talking, you probably are not making much impact. For estheticians, protect your energy and focus on your work. For clients, this is why I stay rooted in results and kindness.
2. Consistency beats motivation
Motivation is cute but consistency is what builds a real business. I show up when I am tired, I show up when I am inspired, and that steady rhythm is what created trust with clients. Keep your books organized, prebook, and stick to your routines. The real glow comes from what you do day in and day out.
3. People buy into you before they buy services
Skincare transformations and great services matter, but people come back because of how you make them feel. Share your face, your values, and your process so clients know who they are trusting with their skin. For estheticians, connection is a skill that you can hone if it doesn’t come naturally. Real results for your clients are better when they feel safe and seen.
4. Your team is everything
I tried to do it all and that worked until it didn’t. Hiring, mentoring, and trusting my team grew our impact in a way I could never do alone. We invest in training, clear protocols, and promote emotionally intelligent communication… our clients feel that. Estheticians, when its time to expand be sure to pour into your people and if will reflect in the care your clients receive.
5. Adapt or get left behind
This industry moves fast. New treatments, new products, new platforms, new algorithms. I make it my mission to continuously evolve without losing the core of who we are. The strategy is to test, measure, refine, repeat. Always have a grasp on your output and how its benefitting your business. If something no longer serves, let it go. That’s how you keep delivering results that feel current and honest.
6. Boundaries build longevity
In the beginning I thought success meant saying yes to everything and everyone…now I say yes with intention. Clear policies, thoughtful scheduling, and protected time keep my energy clean so I can give my best in the treatment room. Esti’s, remember that clients appreciate consistency and clarity! Your boundaries are not walls, they’re a form of self & community care.
7. Celebrate every season
There are busy seasons and slow seasons, both matter in the long run. Slow seasons are for tightening systems, education, and creative projects. Busy seasons are for making sh*t happen and immersing yourself in gratitude. Skin has cycles and so does business, lean in rather than resist and you can take your business far.
8. Impact outweighs income
Yes, sales matter, but the transformations, the stories, the confidence I see walk out the door are what keep me lit up. When you lead with service, education, and real results, the numbers follow. Track outcomes, celebrate wins, and keep your standards high. Clients can feel when your heart is in it.
9. Community is your greatest currency
Community is everything. Clients, fellow estheticians, local small businesses, family, and friends have carried Enlightened Beauty through nine years. When you give to your community, it always finds a way to give back. Hosting events has been one of the best ways to nurture that connection. Events create belonging and turn a skincare studio into something bigger, a place where people feel at home.
P.S. Estheticians, if you want the scripts, checklists, and behind-the-scenes on how I practice these lessons, I share them inside my IG Subscription each week.
Hosting Events: The Secret to Growing a Skincare Business
When I started hosting events, I thought of them as a fun way to celebrate milestones. What I didn’t expect was how much they would transform my business. Events are not just about boosting sales, there are about creating a sense of belonging. They give clients something to look forward to, they deepen loyalty, and they remind people that your business is more than a single treatment.
For estheticians, events are one of the most authentic marketing tools you can use. They let you show your personality, highlight products, and collaborate with other small businesses while giving clients an experience they will remember and talk about. Sales naturally follow, but the real value is in how events strengthen relationships, build trust, and create a sense of community. Think of them as a loyalty program brought to life. You get to connect face to face, gather feedback, and understand what your clients truly want, which leads to better services, smarter retail, and long-term growth.
A Message for Our Clients
If you are new here, welcome! If you have been with us for years, thank you! Enlightened Beauty is a place where results matter and care comes first. You will always get honest recommendations, thoughtful treatment plans, and a team that wants you to feel confident in your skin.
Our events are an open door. Come meet the team, try products, ask questions, and see what our studio feels like in real life. You will leave with education you can use and a routine that makes sense for your lifestyle.
If you are ready for help, here are a few easy ways to start:
Book a treatment and let us build a plan that fits your goals.
Follow us on Instagram and stay tuned for the next event to experience!
Nine Years In, What’s Next?
Looking back at these nine years, what stands out most isn’t the numbers or the milestones, it’s the people. The clients who let me be part of their skin journey, the estheticians who remind me we’re all learning together, and the community that has carried Enlightened Beauty through every season.
The lessons haven’t always been easy, but they’ve always been worth it. Each year has shaped me into a better esthetician, a stronger leader, and a more grateful human. If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that growth is never just about business, it’s about connection, resilience, and the impact we leave behind.
Nine years down, and I can’t wait to see what the next season brings!