Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ariel Herrera-molina. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ariel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

One of the greatest risks I’ve ever taken was opening my business in the middle of a pandemic. I started with $500 and the very basics, sharing space with a Reiki Practitioner. At the time, Estheticians weren’t able to do facials (my passion) due to Covid, so I started with only waxing services. I had no idea what the future of the world would look like, as there were a lot of uncertainties at the time. I was always a chronic workaholic, so being forced to stay home and take a break actually allowed me to dive deep into my mind and really think about what I’d want for my future. It was always my goal to own my own business but I was holding myself back with limiting beliefs—what if I can’t build a clientele? What if I lose my job and have nothing to show for it during this pursuit? What if I can’t stay afloat financially? I finally took the plunge and was ultimately able to quit my job at the time within 6 months. Clients were pouring through the doors and I hit 100K in sales within my first year. I hired a personal assistant who would eventually become my first employed Licensed Esthetician and she’s still with me nearly 3 years later. All-in-all I am 4 1/2 years in and couldn’t be more proud of the haven of healing that I’ve created. My little business has truly improved so many lives. I now welcome risks and challenges and notice that when I do, myself and my business flourish!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been a Licensed Esthetician for nearly 9 years now. I was always interested in skincare and makeup, as I struggled with acne from my pre-teen years to my mid 20’s. I mean I was literally the Avon lady by 14 years old.

When I decided to go to esthetics school, I didn’t even know what an Esthetician was at the time. I had moved to a different state and area where Estheticians were more prominent than in my rural hometown.

I knew I wanted to learn more about makeup and so I found a program that claimed to teach me. I had no idea at the time that I’d end up wanting nothing to do with makeup and would become infatuated with facials and the power of touch therapy.

During this time, I had just received my first facial and my first massage ever. And I didn’t know a whole lot about energy work. I was thrown into a world that would change my life completely and define my role as an adult in society.
I delved into self-care and self-development and welcomed a happier side of myself that I had no idea even existed.

I’m now a huge advocate for self-care and have found that I naturally attract clients who were just like myself. Chronic overworkers, busy bodies, people who practice “toxic frugality,” those who feel guilty when they participate in any kind of self-care, those who are uncomfortable by touch or vulnerability.

Through my deeply energetic and holistic facials and reiki sessions, there’s been nothing more rewarding than being able to watch my clients release negative energy and truly tap into their parasympathetic (rest & digest) nervous systems in real-time.

Not to mention, watching their situations improve over the years as they begin to incorporate the self-care techniques I promote into their daily lives. Within the past 6 months alone, two of my clients have received their Reiki 1 certifications from my Reiki Master, and my employee is scheduling her class early this year.

I know that what sets us aside is our niche—holistic facials that incorporate the mind, body, and soul experience. As opposed to honing in on imperfections, we encourage our clients to love themselves and feel comfortable in their unique skin. We teach them how to skin journal and become familiar with their skin, so that when they experience something like a breakout, they can easily make connections as to why they’re breaking out in the first place, as well as have more gratitude for all of incredibly hard work our skin does to keep us safe even when we don’t always give it the best opportunity (ex. Lack of sleep, poor diet, chronic stress, no sun/environmental protection, etc.).

We do not promote miracle or quick fixes but instead encourage our clients to dive deep into their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being for overall wellness.

I’m most proud of the amount of lives I’ve touched. When I have clients who tell me that they never felt comfortable without having a face full of makeup until they started working with me, I know I’ve done my part. On a deeper level, helping clients through trying times like death of a loved one or postpartum depression is an honor I can’t even begin to explain in words.

It is my goal to spread genuine love (not necessarily toxic positivity) for the greater good and I believe that is what our clients crave and need.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

“Resilience” is my middle name and it’s nothing I’m particularly proud of but I have to acknowledge the fact that I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

An example would be the time my grandmother, aka my best friend in the entire world, passed away. I had only been in business for 6 months and again, this was still in the thick of the pandemic, so in general it was an incredibly confusing time for everyone on the planet.

My grandmother was not your typical “grandma.” She was so vibrant, funny, full of life, loved to travel, and so young for her age. If we met new people out and about, they’d always assume she was my mother.

So, it was a complete shock for me when she had a random stroke that would put her in the ICU with a brain hemorrhage. The situation was so bad that she went into a coma and we had to make the most gut-wrenching decisions that I wouldn’t wish on anyone—like whether or not to insert a feeding tube or trach so she could breathe, and basically whether to allow her to fight or pass on.

The most difficult part of this entire experience was the fact that I was not able to see her during all of this due to the pandemic. I couldn’t so much as hold her hand or tell her how much I love her or kiss her on the cheek to even help her through her coma.

I didn’t realize it at the time but this experience would push me to throw myself into my business. After her death, my business took off! I needed an escape for myself and being able to help others through their own trying times became something I felt a deep calling for.

This was a time when I truly found myself and the impact on my business is why I think we are so successful today. I “thugged” it out and threw myself into my work not realizing how much this experience would allow me to relate to and truly help others to heal, just as I was learning how to heal myself.

It’s also what encouraged me to learn more about energy work and begin practicing Reiki and Yoga for my own wellbeing.

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

If I could go back, I’d choose this profession over and over again. If anything, I wish I would have been introduced to this world much sooner! As a naturally high-stressed individual, I didn’t realize that I would thrive in a work environment that was all about self-care and relaxation—dim lighting, essential oils, rain and ocean sounds, and spa music all day long—because I didn’t even know that kind of thing existed.

As much as I wish I would have started fresh out of high school, I know that I needed my previous experiences to be where I am today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/arielpopspimples
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arielpopspimples
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arielpopspimples

Image Credits

The waterfall images are Kait Hoyt Photography, all other images besides the 2 with the vibe lighting and same
model are by Deanna Guinn (Deanna’s Moments Photography)