I wanted to stand out from the crowd, so creating a thoughtful brand identity was essential. Collaborating with a website designer during this time made all the difference. Financially, I wasn’t in a position to take out a startup loan, so every penny I earned from working outside of Nizels was reinvested into website development, products, and equipment. This approach allowed me to step into entrepreneurship without the stress of significant overheads.

Stepping out completely alone was both daunting and exciting, but by the end of 2010, I was ready. Offering private beauty treatments in clients’ homes while specialising in wedding makeup artistry, I provided a wide range of beauty treatments including waxing, eye treatments, manicures and pedicures, facials, massage, and my most popular service: electrolysis. This path provided the flexibility I needed while raising my son and allowed me to form personal, meaningful connections with my clients.

Life took an exciting turn when I fell pregnant with my youngest son in 2011. Naturally, lifting heavy equipment from location to location became a challenge, so I adapted how I performed treatments. I was fortunate to have understanding and supportive clients who appreciated the adjustments I made. In 2012, my son Jack was born by c-section, adding another layer of complexity to my business as I couldn’t return to work as quickly as I had promised my clients. But gradually, over the following months, I found my rhythm again.

Around Jack’s first birthday, I was introduced to a product brand called Arbonne by a trusted connection. Integrating these products into my beauty and bridal services made perfect sense, but there was so much more to the brand than I initially realized. Awards and promotions were earned based on sales each month, and I drew upon the sales training I had experienced with Steiner, expanding on it through the business literature I read. I became part of a team of enormously encouraging and supportive people. Additionally, I applied the leadership experience I had gained at Nizels, supporting my own team while receiving invaluable support from others around me. The brand’s culture of mentorship, leadership development, and personal growth provided an unexpected yet transformative layer to my business journey. These experiences, alongside my beauty and bridal business, enriched my entrepreneurial mindset, enhanced my confidence as a business owner and added another significant income stream.

Being a business owner while raising young children was challenging, but it proved to be one of the best decisions I ever made. From 2010-2017, I had the privilege of working with countless bridal parties and nurturing a loyal clientele who valued the exclusivity and convenience of private beauty services. However, as fulfilling as this chapter was, the physical demands of mobile beauty therapy eventually took their toll.

It became clear that it was time to settle in one location. The toll on my body made me realize it was the right moment to rethink my business brand, explore a new business model, and consider the possibilities of building a team from a stable base. So once again, I returned to the drawing board. Throughout 2017, while maintaining all I had built, I dedicated myself to reshaping my business future, envisioning a space where I could continue offering exceptional beauty services while leading and mentoring others.

Reflecting on those years, I am deeply grateful for the lessons I learned — from navigating the nuances of entrepreneurship to building meaningful relationships with clients and fellow business owners. My journey with Arbonne also contributed greatly to my personal and professional growth, fostering a mindset of resilience and continuous learning. This period was a true testament to the rewards that come with pursuing passion and purpose, even when the road is uncertain.