Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sandy Rodrigues, founder, and owner of Beautiful Reasons Spa Inc., located in Etobicoke, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My Business caters to everyone, but more specifically, the average everyday hard-working person who also deserves to indulge in self-care. I set out to empower my clients through my signature beauty treatments. Using expert techniques, I strive to give each of my clients an unforgettable experience.

With 20 years of experience and knowledge in the beauty industry, my goal is to make beauty accessible and beneficial for everyone. I believe that everyone should have a self-care routine that keeps them feeling their best. I help to create that routine with the best treatments and product recommendations.

Tell us about yourself

I originally went to York University with the intention of becoming a teacher. But after completing five years and two bachelor's degrees and finding it difficult to get accepted into a teacher's college, I eventually lost interest in teaching. I ended up working in the corporate world for eight years unhappily while trying to discover my true passion. One day, I discovered that it had been in front of me all along. I had always loved anything beauty-related and used to do services on myself and my friends just for fun. After a great deal of self-reflection and prayer, I decided to go back to school for aesthetics at the age of 30. At the time, I thought I was too old to "start over," but here I am, 20 years later, with my own business loving what I do. I used to try to think of excuses to call in sick every day, and since I changed my career path, I look forward to seeing the lovely people whose confidence I boost every day. I also realized along the way that the teacher in me was not lost, as I educate my clients every day about the importance of self-care.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The fact that although I struggled along the way, I worked hard and pushed through, and made it happen. My loved ones worried that I would not succeed and encouraged me to get a "real job" and do aesthetics on the side. But I knew that I had to jump in head first if I was going to make it work. And that's exactly what I did. It was not easy, it took a lot of sacrifices and hard work, but it has been my biggest accomplishment to date.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The inconsistency of business is the biggest struggle. At times it may be so busy that I am turning away clients, and then there are brief periods of time where it is so slow that I wonder where everyone is at. With regard to the current pandemic situation, another difficult part of being a business owner is not letting the difficult times get the best of us. Being strategic and positive are key, and not letting your hard work go to waste. However, I had to downsize from 900 ft.² to 143 ft.², I was proud that I was able to keep my business afloat rather than having to shut down all together. And now, I am working hard to build it back up during these difficult times when there is still a lot of uncertainty in the air.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Research.
  2. Budget.
  3. Continued education.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

With so many gurus and voices in the beauty industry, it can be difficult to know what is truly beneficial for you. What's more, so many salons feel unapproachable with daunting lists of technical beauty treatments that you're not sure are right for you.

At Beautiful Reasons Spa, I am here to make beauty fun again. I will ensure that you get the treatment you need and will walk you through my processes, and help you decide which treatment is perfect for your individual needs.

My tiny salon is here to make a positive impact and help you feel beautiful and confident when you walk out the door. At Beautiful Reasons Spa, I pride myself on my core values of Respect, Honesty, and Care. I am committed to following these values in everything I do.

I believe in the importance of feeling confident and beautiful in your own skin. Without confidence, it's difficult to achieve success in your career, relationships, or family life. We have all been through tough times where we could use a confidence boost to feel our best. At Beautiful Reasons Spa, I help give women and men the confidence to feel beautiful, powerful, and like they can accomplish anything.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.beautifulreasonsspa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautifulreasons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautifulreasonsspa/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.