We were lucky to catch up with Julie Styles recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Taking Risks Is My Middle Name

Taking risks has always been second nature to me, even when the odds were stacked against me. The biggest leap I ever took came after a devastating loss—the death of my sister, who passed away by suicide just before I earned my esthetician license. That moment broke me in ways I didn’t think were possible, but it also ignited a fire within me.

I knew I needed to make a change—not just for myself but for my children, who were still young at the time. I packed up my boys, leaving behind Modesto, a place that had always felt suffocating, and headed for what I consider the most beautiful place in California. It also happens to be one of the most expensive. Starting over in such an unfamiliar and challenging environment was terrifying.

Well, it definitely wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine. There were countless hard days when I didn’t know how I was going to get through it. Days when the weight of grief and uncertainty felt unbearable. But somehow, I did. I pushed forward, one step at a time, even when it felt like the odds were against me.

I was grieving, heartbroken, and navigating a completely new life—but I refused to let fear hold me back. My kids deserved better, and I was determined to give them the kind of life that would break the cycle of struggle. Survival mode became my default, but it also became my strength.

Moving away from Modesto was not just about finding a better location; it was about rebuilding my life after tragedy. The decision to step into the unknown, while carrying the weight of loss, was the riskiest thing I’ve ever done—but it was also the most rewarding.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

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My Journey to Becoming an Aesthetician and Building Wise Beauty Spa

From as far back as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by skincare and beauty. As a little girl, I’d spend hours in my mom’s bathroom exploring her makeup and skincare products, dreaming of one day becoming an aesthetician.

After graduating high school, however, life took a different turn. Beauty school wasn’t an option then. At 20, I became a mom, and my focus shifted to survival mode. I worked tirelessly in the restaurant industry to support my child, a field that is its own unique challenge. By 23, I had another child and found myself in an abusive marriage. Becoming a single mother of two brought new struggles, but I was determined to provide for my children. With my parents’ help, I managed, working 50+ hours a week to keep us afloat.

Despite the challenges, my dream of becoming an aesthetician never left me. I eventually went back to school and earned my esthetician license. Just as I was beginning to pursue my passion, tragedy struck—I lost my sister. This devastating loss put my dreams on hold for over 15 years.

Rediscovering My Passion

When I finally returned to the skincare industry, it felt like coming home. Skincare isn’t just my career—it’s my calling. Helping people look and feel their best brings me immense joy, and I’m proud to say that I’m great at what I do.

One of the best things I added to my résumé was working at a medical spa. It was there that I truly deepened my understanding of skincare—learning things you simply can’t get from a classroom. The hands-on experience with advanced treatments and medical-grade products taught me how to approach skin from a results-driven perspective, and it’s a knowledge base I carry with me every day at my own spa.

Building Wise Beauty Spa

Three years ago, I took a leap of faith and opened Wise Beauty Spa. The journey has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. While there’s always room for growth, I’m proud of the success Wise Beauty has achieved so far.

What Sets Wise Beauty Spa Apart

At Wise Beauty Spa, I’m committed to staying on the cutting edge of skincare. I continuously educate myself on new products, techniques, and services to provide my clients with the best possible care. I offer top-of-the-line medical-grade products, including Obagi, Theraderm, and Image, ensuring only the highest quality for every treatment.

I specialize in full-body waxing and am also an educator in the field. My golden rule: I never use anything on a client’s skin that I wouldn’t use on my own.

Building Relationships and Transforming Confidence

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing clients, many of whom have become dear friends. I love seeing the transformation in their confidence after a session—it’s what drives me to keep improving, growing, and expanding my services.

Wise Beauty Spa is more than a business to me; it’s a reflection of my passion, resilience, and love for helping others. Here’s to continuing this incredible journey and making more people feel beautiful inside and out.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What Built My Business?

What truly built my business was word-of-mouth. When I opened Wise Beauty Spa, I had a dozen or so loyal clients who had followed me from my previous job. While it was a great start, it wasn’t enough to sustain my business. Still, I knew I could succeed because I believed in my skills and passion for what I do.

Every client who walked through my door, no matter how many or few, received the best possible service. My priority was to ensure they left not just satisfied but absolutely loving their experience. That dedication paid off—six months into my journey, I had tripled my clientele, all thanks to the power of word-of-mouth.

Beyond this, I stayed committed to improving my craft. I attended skincare shows, completed online courses, and kept up with the latest services and equipment. My first year in business was extraordinary—I reached my two-year goal within 12 months. I owe this achievement to my incredible clients, their trust in me, and the unwavering support of those who believed in my vision.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

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If I could go back, I would absolutely choose the same profession. The only thing I would do differently is also pursue a nursing degree. With that, I could have opened a medical spa and offered a wider range of services. I love the medical side of aesthetics and would have loved the opportunity to explore it even more deeply.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wisebeautyspa.com
• Instagram: Wise Beauty Spa
• Facebook: Wise Beauty Spa
• Other: Wisebeautyspa.gloss genius .com