Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Neha Joshi, owner of Studio of Aesthetics, located in Grosse Pointe, MI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is a spa built on love and the art of beauty. Our staff is composed of talented artists who enjoy creating relationships and making our clients feel their best at all times. Our products and services are always improving as we educate ourselves on the latest beauty treatments. Our clients are so supportive and come from all over the country. The community here is so pleasant and loyal.
Tell us about yourself
I am a daughter of two foreigners who came here and sacrificed everything they had to lay a foundation that would keep their foundation. I come from parents who barely knew how to speak English while I was growing up, but they had a goal. They were not educated but were very hard workers; growing up and watching my parents with their morals and values are definitely the qualities that raised me. I believe that is what got me into this business.
My culture has a big part in what I do today. Having responsibilities at a young age, being taught how to treat people, the pampering, and the punishments give me some success consciousness. I grew up on always keeping myself together and maintaining myself as a young lady, most girls in middle school/high school were shaving, and I was probably the only girl waxing, no matter how much it hurt, my mom refused to let me shave, And now my hair barely grows! Growing up putting certain food on my face to prevent teenage acne and making homemade masks.
What really interested me and started this whole beauty establishment is the art of threading. One thing my mom did for sure since I was 12 was keeping my eyebrows tamed with a technique called threading, an ancient Indian art of removing the hair. Being introduced to keeping yourself looking youthful and feeling good at a young age has always interested me. I've always wanted to utilize my cultural skills and education to create a business I love. My mom is what motivates me to do what I do each and every day. She is my true inspiration for a woman who can do it all!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being able to create relationships with my clients that allow them to return and stay loyal. I have been in business for 12 years (since I was 19), and my clients have seen me start from the bottom, and it feels good to know they have been there cheering me on.
There were times when I didn't know what I was doing being so young trying to run a business, and there were many challenges, but I can say my biggest accomplishment is the relationships built with my clients that got me through and allowed me to be successful. It brings me joy to make a difference in people's lives, and to know they also make a difference in mine is a feeling of accomplishing something bigger than I could imagine.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The responsibility. The sacrifice and long hours invested in making everything you want a reality.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The top three tips I'd give anyone looking to run a business are: keep the faith, patience, and a plan!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.studioofaesthetics.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioofaesthetics/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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