Choosing a name for my business was no small decision. Since it was my own, I wanted something distinctive and meaningful, something that reflected both my personal journey and my aspirations. Many beauty businesses carry the founder’s name, but I wanted to go a different route, something with a deeper story.

I spent days exploring words in various languages, searching for the right spark. Eventually, I landed on Stella Carina. It felt perfect — a name that bridged my past, present, and future. People often ask, “Who is Stella?” The confusion is understandable, especially since my name is Carrina, spelled with a double ‘R.’

The name Carina has multiple layers of significance for me. In Italian, it means “cute,” “pretty,” or “lovely.” Having a strong and fond connection with Italy, this felt fitting. But there was more. Carina is also the name of a constellation representing the keel of a ship. It symbolizes exploration, resilience, and determination — qualities that deeply resonate with my time working aboard cruise liners.

Stella, the Italian word for “star,” brought its own symbolism. Together, Stella Carina translates to “Pretty Star.” Beyond the literal meaning, the name encapsulates the essence of my journey — from my formative years at sea to establishing my own business and creating something meaningful. It’s a name I wear proudly, knowing it represents not only beauty and elegance but also the resilience and dedication that brought me to where I am today.

2017 marked a significant period of growth and transition. While continuing to manage the business I had nurtured, I dedicated the year to developing a unique business model, pouring my heart, soul, and 21 years of experience into the vision. Although I can’t disclose the broader specifics of this endeavor, I hold onto the concept, knowing that one day, when the time is right, I will reimagine it.

After months of developing my brand and business plan and starting work with my website designer, I set out to find my first location. Stella Carina was set to be launched in Bromley on the outskirts of London. A good friend connected me with a leisure centre in the heart of the town, which had an enormous footfall. This leisure centre had it all, state of the art gym, wide range of classes, pool, bowling, arcades, bars, restaurant and soft play.

The space available for rent was incredibly small, but I had — believe it or not — worked in smaller rooms before. The monthly overheads were surprisingly low, given the prime location. After careful planning and thinking every detail through, I devised a functional setup and committed to bringing my vision to life.

The journey from Marden to Bromley was the only real drawback, but it was a small price to pay for the future I envisioned. I began the process of assembling my team, advertising opportunities online, and interviewing candidates. At the same time, I was still setting up the treatment room, managing my existing business, promoting the upcoming opening and being a mum for my boys who at the time were 5 and 9. It was an enormous operational feat for one person, but necessary, as I knew I would soon be saying goodbye to the private clients I had served for years. By January 2018, I officially concluded that chapter of my career.

Over the coming months, my team began to emerge. From spring 2018 to 2020, we grew to a collective of six ambitious beauty therapists, holistic therapists, and a medical practitioner. Each professional used the space at designated times, ensuring the room operated seven days a week. Working together, we offered an extensive range of treatments, from essentials like electrolysis, holistic therapies, and facials to advanced skin treatments, peels, microneedling, and injectable services. Our loyal clientele grew rapidly, with rebookings becoming the norm. Our Treatwell reviews consistently received five-star ratings, and Stella Carina earned a glowing reputation.

March 2020 brought a devastating blow. Just two years after launching my long-term vision, the pandemic struck. As the world went into lockdown, the business landscape shifted dramatically. While many industries gradually reopened, the beauty sector was one of the last to resume operations. My circumstances were further complicated by the fact that my space was within a leisure centre, another industry facing prolonged closures.

Facing the harsh reality that reopening would take months, I made the painful decision to close the business. My team had dispersed, I couldn’t operate it alone from such a distance, and my children needed me home. By this time, my former private clients had also found alternative beauty services and I no longer possessed the kit. It was a low point in my career, one that forced me to step away from the industry entirely.

For a time, I was unsure if I would ever return. Restarting would mean beginning again from scratch — no clients, no income, and no certainty. But in early 2022, with renewed determination, resilience, and faith, I reignited Stella Carina. Looking back, I am immensely proud of the grit it took to overcome those challenges and embrace the next chapter of my journey.

Though that chapter closed, the resilience and lessons I gained remain with me. They serve as a reminder that even the most difficult setbacks can become part of a greater journey.