We were lucky to catch up with Maria Mihaylova recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
I have been fortunate enough to build a clientele which consists of unique, amazing, and inspiring human beings. Kind, wonderful people who from clients have become family, and of course friends who have supported me in every step of the way. Many of them first came to my practice as teenagers, and now we talk about their kids. We have shared weddings, divorces, gains and losses. We have laughed and cried together endless times. I am beyond thankful to each and every one or them, and I truly consider myself blessed.

There is, however, this one story, which is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. One of my clients, a beautiful lady, who kept booking a facial every two weeks, but kept complaining every time. There was always something wrong that I did. She was to a degree mean, I never saw her smile. She very clearly showed me that any conversation with me really bothered her.

On her last facial with me, she fell asleep. As I uncovered her arm to apply lotion, I saw bruises. Many. The abuse kind of bruises. She woke up. And for some minutes we stayed liked this, me holding her hand and her crying. I asked her if there is anything I can do, she did not say a word. I never saw her again, but few years after that I received a text message from her, with a picture of a beautiful view and the capture said “Free.”

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 am an esthetician. My profession has so many different names, Skin Care Therapist,or Aesthetician been few of them. I am trained in skin care. Especially how to treat acne, scars, discoloration. I am also very skilled in giving the best relaxing facials, or gentle facials for compromised skins.

What I truly believe my profession is about, is boosting self esteem and promoting the importance of self care. Especially in these stressful times. Self care is not selfish. We are all worth it.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?
What a great questions. Especially because in my field, most people struggle with funding, managing and operating their business. I am a true believer that consulting a specialist in the financing area is a key. Not only for your business, but for everything, Having a plan, but guided by someone who is better with numbers than us, is a must.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Self employed people do everything for their business. I mean everything. So did I when I first started. At some point I realized that I spent more in learning the hard way, than if I was to pay professionals who know what their doing. Just like in my treatment room, I see so many people who have pretty much destroyed their skins because some influencer or a friend swears by some kind of DYIs, or chemical peels purchased from who knows where.

So, stick to what you know, and hire professionals for the rest.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blossommassage.com
• Instagram: #notjustskin

Image Credits
Personal Photograph Image Credit to Diana Hare