The room is filled with the faint scent of lavender and the quiet hum of soft music. I glance at my tools, ready to create a masterpiece, and feel the weight of both excitement and responsibility. Running a business as a solo esthetician is a dream come true—a beautiful mix of creativity, independence, and the joy of transforming lives through beauty and self-care. However, my journey as the founder of Huaka Lashes and Body has been anything but straightforward. On top of the daily hustle of growing a business, I’ve been learning to manage my Crohn's disease, a chronic illness that has redefined my personal and professional life. This dual journey of health and entrepreneurship has brought valuable lessons, challenges, and, ultimately, a deeper understanding of my limitations and strengths. Here, I want to share my story, struggles, and the ways I’m working to balance it all.
The Hustle of a Solo Esthetician
Being a solo esthetician means wearing many hats—esthetician, marketer, bookkeeper, customer service rep, and sometimes even janitor. Every service I offer, from lash extensions to body sculpting, represents a combination of skill, artistry, and the trust clients place in me. It’s a privilege, but it’s also a heavy responsibility.
Before my diagnosis, I prided myself on being available for every client who needed me. Early mornings, late nights, back-to-back appointments—I did it all, fueled by the excitement of seeing my business grow. However, Crohn's disease has taught me that this pace isn’t sustainable. Now, I’m faced with the challenge of finding a balance that honors both my business goals and my health.
Understanding Crohn's Disease
For those unfamiliar, Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the digestive system. It’s unpredictable, with flare-ups that can cause severe pain, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms. Managing Crohn’s involves a combination of medication, dietary adjustments, and stress management—all of which require time, energy, and focus.
These strategies have completely reshaped my daily routine. For instance, I’ve had to incorporate meal prepping to ensure I’m eating the right foods that won’t trigger a flare-up, which also means taking short breaks during work hours to eat. Stress management, like practicing yoga or meditation, has become a daily ritual that helps me maintain a calm mindset amidst the challenges of running a business. These adjustments, while time-consuming, have brought structure and clarity to my routine, enabling me to serve my clients with more focus and energy.
What makes this even more challenging is that Crohn’s isn’t always visible. On the outside, I may look like the picture of health, but internally, there are days when I’m fighting just to keep going. For a long time, I struggled with the guilt of needing to rest or reschedule appointments. I felt like I was letting my clients down, even though I knew that taking care of myself was essential.
Learning My Limitations
One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is that I can’t do it all. This realization didn’t come easily—it took flare-ups that forced me to cancel appointments, missed opportunities, and moments of deep frustration.
Setting Boundaries
To protect my health and my business, I’ve had to establish firm boundaries: One of the most impactful changes I made was reducing my work hours to prioritize rest. For example, I now schedule no more than three clients per day, which allows me to stay energized and fully focused during each appointment. This shift has significantly improved my health, reducing flare-ups and enabling me to show up for my clients with my best energy. It’s also allowed me to create a more personalized experience for each client, which has strengthened their loyalty and trust in my services.
Reduced Work Hours: I’ve adjusted my schedule to ensure I’m not overexerting myself. While this means seeing fewer clients each day, it allows me to provide the best possible service without compromising my health.
Prioritizing Rest: I’ve built rest days into my calendar, even if it means turning away potential bookings. This time is non-negotiable and helps me recharge.
Healthy Client Communication: I’ve become more transparent with my clients about my condition. This honesty has fostered deeper trust and understanding, with many clients expressing admiration for my resilience.
Scaling a Business With Chronic Illness
Despite these limitations, I’m as committed as ever to growing Huaka Lashes and Body into a business that reflects my passion and vision. My passion stems from a deep desire to help women feel confident and beautiful while also creating a brand that prioritizes wellness and community. My vision extends beyond providing beauty services; I want to establish a business that empowers others, supports my family, and leaves a lasting legacy. These aspirations keep me focused and motivated, even on the toughest days. Scaling a business while managing a chronic illness requires a different approach—one that prioritizes sustainability over speed. Here’s how I’m navigating this challenge:
Leveraging Systems and Technology
Online Booking: Automating my booking system has been a game-changer. It reduces the back-and-forth of scheduling and allows clients to manage their appointments independently.
E-Commerce: I’ve expanded my product offerings, like the Lash Gains Growth Serum, and invested in an online store. This creates a revenue stream that doesn’t rely solely on my physical presence.
Digital Marketing: Social media and email marketing have become my allies. By creating valuable content and engaging with my audience online, I can grow my brand even on days when I’m not physically working.
Delegating and Outsourcing
Hiring Help: While I’m still a solo esthetician in terms of client services, I’ve started outsourcing tasks like accounting, social media management, and website updates. This frees up my time and energy for what I do best—serving my clients.
Collaboration: I’m exploring partnerships with other professionals, such as offering joint promotions or sharing resources. Collaboration not only lightens the load but also expands my network and reach.
Staying Inspired
Education: I’ve been investing in ongoing education to stay ahead of trends and techniques in the beauty industry. This not only helps me improve my services but also keeps me excited about what I do.
Long-Term Vision: On tough days, I remind myself of my ultimate goal—to build a 7-figure business that creates opportunities for others and leaves a legacy for my family.
The Emotional Toll
Balancing a business and a chronic illness isn’t just physically demanding; it’s emotionally challenging too. There are days when I feel like I’m falling short in every area—as a business owner, a wife, a mom, and a person managing a health condition. The pressure to perform can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with the unpredictability of Crohn’s.
On tough days, I’ve learned to lean into small but impactful strategies: taking time to meditate and practice deep breathing, setting realistic daily goals, and giving myself grace to rest when needed. Journaling about my emotions and leaning on my support system have also been lifelines, reminding me that I’m not alone in this journey. By focusing on one step at a time, I’ve found ways to keep moving forward even in the face of uncertainty.
What’s helped me most is embracing vulnerability. Sharing my struggles with my support system and even my clients has lifted a weight off my shoulders. It’s reminded me that I’m not alone and that perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.
Lessons Learned
Through this journey, I’ve learned some powerful lessons that have reshaped my approach to both life and business:
Health Comes First: Without my health, I can’t serve my clients, grow my business, or show up for my family. Prioritizing self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to do fewer things exceptionally well than to spread myself too thin. This applies to both the services I offer and the time I dedicate to work versus rest.
The Power of Community: My clients, colleagues, and family have been incredible sources of support. Building a community that understands and uplifts me has made all the difference.
Resilience Is a Journey: Resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting back up. Every setback has taught me something valuable and made me stronger.
Moving Forward
As I continue to navigate the dual challenges of managing Crohn’s disease and scaling Huaka Lashes and Body, I’m more determined than ever to create a life and business that align with my values. My vision is to inspire others—whether they’re clients, fellow estheticians, or anyone facing their own struggles—to pursue their dreams with courage and grace.
If you’re reading this and facing your own challenges, know that you’re not alone. Whether it’s chronic illness, a demanding career, or something else entirely, the path forward may not be easy, but it is possible. Together, we can rise above the obstacles and create something truly beautiful.
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