We were lucky to catch up with Genesis Pineda recently and have shared our conversation below.

Genesis , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I used to have a regular 9-5 where I worked for a company in there Information Technology/Customer Support section. At the time I was only able to take clients on weekends while I started my business and set its foundation. After a year, I found myself miserable at the 9-5 and I would anxiously wait for the weekend to arrive so I could take clients. Finally, I decided that if I ever wanted to fully reach my business’ potential I needed to work on it full time and give it all my energy to make it a success. So I quit the 9-5 and now 5 months later I am so happy that I did, even though I was scared to. I started my business by myself, we have been in business for two and a half years. We are now a team of 5 who offer skincare treatments, wax services, massages, make up, eyelash extensions and we recently added a fully functional salon. We work at one location and we are mobile. I would have never added all the services I had and built my team if I did not step away from the 9-5 first. Working on the business full time has made me happier and we continue to grow in every way possible every day. I would recommend anyone who is currently in the same situation I was to leave their 9-5 and work on their dream full time instead.

Genesis , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Genesis Pineda, I am a 24 year old wife, mother, veteran, student and CEO of Heavenlei Services. After my daughter was born, I decided my military career had come to an end. I wanted to give my attention to my daughter with no time constraints. By the time she was 6 months, I decided I wanted to open a self care business. I took the necessary courses/certifications online beginning with facial treatments and wax services. I did my research and bought the most important items I needed to begin the entrepreneur journey. I made a logo, bought my domain, build my own website and proceeded to start my solo role as an esthetician. I started my prices very low to build my clientele. I practiced with my family members to ensure I was doing everything correctly. I asked for peoples opinions of what my treatment room needed and did not need. I really listened to everyone’s input and put it all into practice. I am no longer working by myself. There are a total of 5 of us with different specialties that work together in order to provide women and men with luxury self care days at one location. Multiple services can be booked under one appointment and some can be completed simultaneously. We allow you to walk into only one place and be fully relaxed without the hassle of having to rush across the county for your next appointment of the day.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When Heavenlei Services began, I tried offering eyelash extensions to my clients. I later learned that just because I wanted that service to be something I offered, it did not mean I had to be the one to give that service. That is when I learned I could not and I did not have to do everything by myself. I did not have to burn myself out and learn every single service when there were people who already had that specialty that I could work with instead and we could both help each other along the way by having access to both sets of clients.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I did not have an Instagram before I begin my business. However, people in my age group all had one. So I made one to get my business in the eyes of my potential clients. I started from zero followers and slowly added family, current friends and even old high school friends, I learned how to create content, take quality photos, make videos and put myself out there to bring in clients. The best advice I would give anyone who is starting to build their social media presence is to continue to post. Being consistent is what is going to set you apart and help you grow. Just because people are not liking what you post does not mean they are not watching what you post. You can see that when you post a picture and the next day you post a video that gets a lot of views but minimal likes. You have to keep showing up for your business every single day until you get to where you want to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.heavenlei.services
• Instagram: heavenlei.services

Image Credits
Julicia Brown