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

Hi Jodi, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

The word success is often interpreted very differently from one person to the next. Being successful means an abundance of things to me. It all starts with truly honing in on your talents, gifts, and recognizing what it takes to be unique in your industry. This industry of Aesthetics can be very cut throat today. The beauty industry is booming and is apparently one of the only recession proof industries throughout all of the many changes we have seen because of the pandemic. I have learned more than anything to adapt while still staying true to myself and my business mission. The past few years have been a wild ride!

The emphasis on self care is huge and I truly believe I pioneered this business principle before the word itself got trendy. To me it has always been about self care. I have preached that since I started. Caring for yourself is the fundamental start to being able to tackle the many jobs we are responsible for each day. Being a good human, a good mother, and a good partner are all made possible with daily practices of selfcare. This is why success to me is so vital in my day to day. I truly practice what I preach. I make the time to take care of myself so I can take such amazing care of you! The business model that I have created at Healing Hamsa combines both the medical/corrective and the magical/whimsical side of this industry. It is not laying down on a white uncovered table fully clothed for a 30 minute time out. This is not a lunch break type of place. It is coming into an environment that is connected to your unique needs and engaging all of the senses. It is walking into an environment where one can truly be themselves and feel like they are at home. It is slipping into a robe and slippers and sipping on a beverage while you take it all in. It is looking around and knowing that every intention inside the space is made to represent everyone. Every room in the spa has its own moment of appreciation. Every room and space exudes relaxation and complete retreat.

Success to me is seeing a person walk into my shop and be lost for words. It happens all the time and I get to relive this every day. With my repeat guests and new ones. Success is getting to know that I made not just one, but many people’s day better. Not to mention their entire presentation to the world. Both in the way they look and the way they feel. Success is building meaningful relationships with people that learn to love and trust you. They look forward to the day of the month and tell you every time they see you. Success is being different from what this industry traditionally promotes and running with it. I am not successful because of content created that doesn’t have real meaning. My identidy is not based on a false narrative. It is me being me and you being you. Success is realizing you are one person with big dreams and finding a way no matter what to live your mission every single day. In spite of anything meant to challenge you. Success is being able to instill this work ethic and mission into the other aspects of your life. In my case, a daughter who sees me hustle and understands exactly what I’m bringing to the table. I thrive off of knowing that my work means something to someone. Even if it means great sacrifice and some hardships along the way. I have learned to let go of anything that has stood in the way of my success. Roommates, Employees, Partnerships, and myself.

Jodi, 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?

Healing Hamsa was created after the most trivial time in my life. A time where I had previously tried to rebrand and recreate a new entity with business partners. Needless to say, it didn’t work out. Before trying to merge concepts and grow, I was working solo in the industry and finding my way to manifest my dreams. I shared that dream with the wrong person. I always had big plans. Even when the growth I predicted didn’t work out, I learned something so profound. I am capable of doing anything and everything I want. It all starts and ends with me. I am in control of my destiny and no matter who/what tried to challenge me, it only prompted me to keep climbing. Still rings true today. Immediately following this profound loss did I realize that I was being given the opportunity to truly start over. Sometimes that is the message. Even though I had to find strength, resources, and money to make it happen. I let nothing stop me. Nobody’s intimidation tactics. Nobody’s made up stories. Nobody’s evil heart.

When Healing Hamsa was created back in 2019, I took every opportunity to design it exactly as I imagined. I truly had to start over. I promised myself I would never allow anyone or anything to shape my value or disparage my identity in this industry. I think that is a huge talking point. So many created stories and drama about things they truly don’t know or understand. I created all of the things I wanted my business to showcase with the hard work of my two hands. I let whoever say whatever. I stopped listening. That is why the brand and its name really mean so much to me. A hamsa is a an old amulet used now for many years that harnesses female empowerment and strength. It brings its owner success and fortune. It symbolically always has an eye in the middle of the hand to showcase the blocking of the “evil eye”. The hamsa itself is a hand. My hands created this business and keep it alive every day. The work I do is with my hands and the energy I transfer in my services all come from the power that encapsulates this exact story. I am a healer. I have had to heal in this journey through entrepreneurship many times over. I understand great struggle. This world can be cruel, but you can never let it jade you. We all have struggles and need an escape. This realization empowered me to create the environment at Healing Hamsa. One of true retreat and healing. The brand is everywhere inside and out.

As far as the services provided, Healing Hamsa truly has it all. It is the mix of both corrective/relaxing skin treatments, 1:1 guided home care, and medical intervention when needed. Based off my expertise and experience in this industry, I know a lot about what truly helps a client thrive in the pursuit of self care. It is setting real expectations while allowing someone to be vulnerable. Feeling safe and cared for is top priority. Discussing our insecurities and feeling heard is instrumental in developing these relationships. Your clients have to feel they can trust you. I pride myself on this. There are so many providers in this industry. There are so many medical spas. There are so many “competitors” who have a serious case of imposter syndrome. They follow the masses trying to find success. None of it phases me. What I offer is unique and the right people walk through my doors every day. When you put out what you want, the universe will send it back. I live by these words.

All in all, it is so important to do your research when finding a skin professional. Are they educated on treating all skin types or skin colors? Are they staying true to their brand? Are they allowing you the space you need to feel heard and seen? Can they design a plan of action while keeping in mind your budget and goals? Finding a provider can be a lot of leg work, but I promise it is worth it. Take the time to really learn about the providers out there and then decide what kind of vibe is for you. There is someone out there for everyone.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

3.5 years ago I thought all hope was lost. I truly didn’t know how to pick up the pieces and start over. I didn’t have a choice.

I thought when 2019 began the journey through Aesthetics had come full circle. I had spent what seemed like years developing a new business model and an extension of my previous brand. Originally my business was called Hamspa. A mix of both the Hamsa and the word spa molded together. Catchy right? Not really. Nobody really got it. I practiced as a solo esthetician with this name for years prior to this highly anticipated merger if you will. The plan was to create a mobile extension of my brand and a new storefront molding together the new and exciting world of CBD and skincare. A true wellness journey if you will. I went into an official agreement with business partners and “friends”. “Friends” is an interesting word when talking business. I highly discourage it. It is true what they say. Business and “friends” are not a good idea. Ever. I have seen this play over and over in my journey. People want to latch on to anything they can for their own selfish reasons. Not usually a plan to grow or cultivate something special. At the end of the day most people operate off their own greed. Not me.

After this monumental fail, complete and utter devastation is describing it lightly. I was lost. The company didn’t last and still today is being deciphered in a lengthy and painful litigation. It was 6 months of actual business in 2019 and now 3.5 years of aftermath that never wants to end. I have survived it all through a pandemic. Not only has this cost more money than it takes to buy a home, but it was positioned in such a way to make me completely crippled. I hadn’t asked for any of this. It was unconventional for me with limited resources to start over. Everything I once had was taken from me and I had to start over. The tools to work with were sold to a competitor for pennies. No equipment. No identity as Hamspa. No clue where to gather the strength from after having my entire identity drug through the mud. Having to read and relive trauma every single day. I felt helpless. I was so lost. I didn’t know how the world could be so cruel. How could something that meant so much to me be literally taken from me in a matter of moments. From “friends”. All based off a false narrative and an uncanny amount of hatred. This is life. This is my testament.

Rebuilding after that and continuing to stay true to myself was not an easy feat. Legal fees, horrible days of reliving this over and over, and knowing that there are people out there who truly don’t want you to win feels paralyzing. And when I say win, I don’t mean in a legal way. I mean winning to provide for your family. I mean winning because all you want is to live your life. I mean winning so that you can wake up every day and not have to tell your daughter why you are crying again. This is reality. This was and is my testimony. There were days I wanted to give up. Days I couldn’t take care of myself or my daughter. Days my husband allowed me the space to heal and respected my withdrawal from reality. He is my hero. I remember these hard days and will always be forever thankful that I had that time to heal. Essentially it led to creation and a new set of boundaries I would never compromise on.

I have survived 100% of my hardest days. I don’t think I would have ever had it in me to recreate if I wasn’t so wronged. So many things at the time were meant to stop me from being the best version of myself and what I could offer to the world. When you are a light, people will stop at nothing to dim your shine. It is just the world we live in. Growing and glowing through this traumatic incident forced me to realize how strong, resilient, and undeniably courageous I am. I created a masterpiece in the midst of a monsoon. I picked up the pieces one by one. I showed my daughter through this journey that no matter what anyone says, it is not necessary to prove them wrong. Give it to God. I truly believe this. I truly know that every day of the suffering I endured was meant to lead me to the brightest days I have ahead. Tragedy can turn to triumph. You just have to believe that in the end it will all be worth it. It will be. I am living proof of that. Even if the pain still lingers, the legal fees keep climbing, and the world is still cruel. You can do anything you put your mind to.

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

Once I realized that starting over was the only way to get ahead, everything started falling into place. It didn’t come without a series of other unfortunate circumstances, but again they were all intended to teach me something. Surviving the toughest days over the past few years amidst a pandemic really helped me see more clearly. In a matter of moments anything can change. You must be able to recognize how to pivot from any obstacle if you want to be successful.

Being able to restructure my business in an unconventional time helped me hone in on exactly how I wanted to portray my brand identity. How I was able to design my space. How I was able to rebrand. I was able to create an image of what I wanted and then I would randomly walk into a store and all of the things I wanted to design in my mind were screaming at me. Everywhere. Once you step inside the spa you will understand. Everything I manifested is right before my eyes. Opportunities and all. The best advice I can give anyone navigating difficult situations in business is to stay persistent and devoted. Your dreams won’t give up if you don’t. The people who want the worst for you won’t give up easily either. However hard it is to remember, karma is a dish best served cold. It may take a while, but the universe doesn’t skip over anyone.

I am truly so fortunate to be a raw and real version of what business and entrepreneurship mean to me. Every journey looks different, but for all the good times and bad I couldn’t be more humbled. Take care of yourself and the ones you love. Let the universe take care of everyone else.

Contact Info:

• Website: healinghamsa.com
• Instagram: healinghamsa
• Facebook: The Healing Hamsa Aesthetics

Image Credits
Meghan Reed