We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andii Amaral a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Andii , appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

If I’m being completely honest, yes, I am much happier as a business owner, but that happiness comes with a weight that people don’t always see.

There are moments, especially when business feels a bit slow, where the pressure starts to creep in. I’ll look at my calendar and see those empty gaps, and suddenly, my mind is racing. I’m thinking about marketing, about paying the bills, about how I need to be ‘on’ 24/7. It’s in those quiet, stressful moments that I catch myself thinking: ‘What if I just had a regular office job?’

I imagine what it would be like to just… finish. To have a job where I don’t have to answer messages or calls after work. To not feel that constant itch to post on social media or figure out the next promotion just to keep things moving. There’s a certain peace in knowing exactly when your day ends and having a paycheck that doesn’t depend on how many people booked an appointment this week.

As a solo business owner, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. There are no paid vacations or sick days. Every hour off is a choice that directly affects my income, and during a slow season, that’s a very real kind of pressure to carry.

But even with all that, I don’t regret this path for a second. When I step back and look at what I’ve built, I realize that no office job could ever give me the heart of what I do. Over the years, I’ve met the most incredible women who started as clients and became such a huge part of my life. I’ve been there to see their children grow up, to hear their stories, and to build a bond that is so much deeper than just a business transaction.

That direct, human connection is irreplaceable. Being my own boss has forced me to grow emotionally and professionally in ways I never thought possible. So, yes, that thought of a ‘9-to-5’ pops up when things get tough, but it only reminds me of why I fought so hard for this life. I’ll take the beautiful, crazy challenges of my own dream over the comfort of someone else’s any day.

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

My name is Andrea though most of my clients and friends know me as Andii. I’m a licensed esthetician and the founder of ANDARA my professional skincare line, and Andii Skincare my studio in Whittier, California.

My approach to skincare is rooted in one core belief: results don’t have to come from trauma. Over the years, I noticed that many people associate effective treatments with pain, irritation, or downtime, and I knew there had to be a better way. That’s where my philosophy was born: progressive, not aggressive.

In my studio, I specialize in hybrid treatments a curated combination of hands-on techniques and advanced aesthetic technology designed to work with the skin, not against it. My goal isn’t to strip or overcorrect, but to strengthen, restore, and guide the skin toward long-term results through consistency and intention.

This same philosophy is the foundation of ANDARA. I created my own skincare line to bridge the gap between professional treatments and at-home care because real transformation doesn’t happen in one appointment, it happens in what you do consistently.

I’ve always believed that glowing skin is more than just skincare; it’s energy, confidence, and self-love in motion.

What truly sets my work apart is the balance between results-driven treatments and genuine connection. Over the years, I’ve built lasting relationships with my clients, I’ve witnessed their personal milestones, and they’ve been part of my growth as an entrepreneur. That trust is something I deeply value.

I’m most proud of building my brand from the ground up while staying aligned with my values. When someone chooses my services or products, they’re choosing a thoughtful, results-focused approach that prioritizes long-term skin health over quick, aggressive fixes.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Creating my own skincare line, ANDARA, came from what I was seeing every single day in my treatment room. My clients were investing in their skin, showing up consistently, but their at-home routines weren’t always supporting the results we were working so hard to achieve.

I got to a point where I didn’t feel comfortable recommending products unless I truly believed in them. That’s when I knew I wanted to create something that fully aligned with the way I treat skin: progressive, not aggressive.

Stepping into this process was completely new for me, but I leaned into it with intention. I spent a lot of time learning, asking questions, and working closely with a professional lab to make sure every formula felt right—not just in quality, but in philosophy. I was very intentional about choosing products that support the skin barrier while still delivering real, visible results over time.

One of the biggest things I learned through this journey is that you can’t rush alignment. I had to trust my eye, my experience, and what I know my clients truly need.

Today, ANDARA feels like a natural extension of my work. It allows my clients to continue their results at home and creates that consistency between what we do in the treatment room and what they do daily. And that consistency is where the real transformation happens.

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

I don’t think a strong reputation in this industry happens overnight. For me, it’s been built one face at a time through consistency, intention, and just being really honest with my clients.

In a world where everything is about quick fixes and “miracle” results, what’s really set me apart is my approach: progressive, not aggressive. My clients know I’m not here to push treatments or follow trends. I’m here to take care of their skin long-term.

And that means I’m honest even when it’s not what they want to hear. If something isn’t right for their skin, I’ll say no. I’d rather protect their results than make a quick sale, and I think people feel that.

I’ve also built really strong relationships with my clients over the years. I don’t see them as just appointments, they’re women with real lives, and I genuinely care about them. That naturally turns into trust, and over time, into a community.

At the end of the day, I think my reputation comes down to being consistent in everything I do my work, my values, and the way I show up for my clients. Whether it’s in the treatment room or through ANDARA, my goal is always the same: real results that last.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://andiiskincare.weebly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andii_skincare
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndiiAesthetics