We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mariana Cisneros a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Mariana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Five years ago, I found myself at a crossroads in life. I had just left a job that didn’t value my potential because of my hearing loss, and I was frustrated with the lack of opportunities that truly supported mothers like me—especially those with special family needs. I remember sitting at my kitchen table late one night, surrounded by my kids’ school papers, bills, and a heavy heart. I asked myself: What am I good at? What do I love? The answer was clear—helping people feel better, inside and out. I had always loved the beauty industry, and with my medical background and 17 years of caregiving experience, I realized I could bring something unique to the table.
That’s when the idea for Renué Spa and Wellness was born. I didn’t just want to open a spa—I wanted to create a sanctuary where wellness and beauty met. A place where people, especially women, could heal, feel confident, and be cared for holistically. I knew this would work because I had lived the problem myself: juggling kids, health, confidence, and time. I was solving a problem that many businesses overlooked—offering services that catered not just to beauty but also wellness, recovery, and self-care, all in one place.
What got me most excited was the freedom to create my own lane. I combined body contouring with medical wellness services like post-op care and B12 shots. I created combo classes, helped women start their own businesses, and even developed my own skincare line. Every decision was rooted in empathy and lived experience. My clients weren’t just customers—they were women like me, trying to do it all and needing a little help to feel whole again.
That late night at the kitchen table turned into a dream, and that dream became my reality. And the best part? I get to live it every day.
Mariana, 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 Mariana, and I’m the founder and owner of Renué Spa and Wellness, located in Downtown Plainfield. I’m a mother of four, a certified medical assistant, and an entrepreneur fluent in English and ASL. My journey into the beauty and wellness industry began over 17 years ago when I started as a caregiver and later went to cosmetology school. Life took me into the medical field, but my passion for beauty and holistic care never left me.
Renué was born from my personal story—a mix of perseverance, motherhood, and a desire to help others feel whole again. After experiencing the struggles of being turned down for jobs due to my hearing loss, I decided to create my own path. I knew I could merge my medical knowledge with my passion for wellness and beauty to offer something different: a space that provides both aesthetic and health-centered care.
What we offer at Renué:
Body contouring services (including Colombian wood therapy, cavitation, and more)
Post-op care with personalized packages and fajas
Jet Plasma treatments for skin tightening and wrinkle reduction
B12 and weight loss shots
Tattoo removal
Hydra Lip Gloss and skincare classes
Training & masterclasses in body sculpting, Jett Plasma, ice sculpting, and more
Custom skincare products under our brand Renué Skincare, including lipo creams and tightening serums
Waist trainers and wellness accessories
Flexible payment options like Afterpay and Cherry financing
Who we serve:
We specialize in helping women—especially mothers, professionals, and post-surgical clients—who want to feel better physically, emotionally, and mentally. Whether it’s helping a new mom get her confidence back, offering post-op care to a surgery patient, or mentoring a new beauty entrepreneur, I meet people where they are and help guide them toward feeling their best.
What sets us apart:
Renué is more than a spa—it’s a movement. We combine medical expertise with compassionate care, offering a unique blend of aesthetic services and health-focused treatments. Our space is inclusive, bilingual, and culturally connected. I’m proud to be a woman of color, the daughter of an immigrant, and someone who turned adversity into purpose.
What I’m most proud of:
Honestly? The lives I’ve impacted. I’ve helped women build their own businesses through my classes, supported post-op clients through their healing journeys, and created a space where people feel safe, seen, and celebrated. I’m also proud that I never gave up—despite setbacks, I stayed true to my calling.
What I want you to know:
Renué is here to empower. Whether you’re coming in for a body contouring session, signing up for a masterclass, or buying your first waist trainer, I want you to feel like you’re investing in yourself. My goal is to uplift, educate, and transform lives through care that goes deeper than skin level.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most powerful moments that illustrates my resilience happened early in my journey with Renué Spa and Wellness.
Just a few months after opening my business, I was juggling everything—being a full-time mom of four, managing the spa, and trying to grow my brand with almost no budget. One day, I received a call from the school saying one of my kids was sick and needed to be picked up immediately. My husband works over an hour away and couldn’t help. I had a full day of clients scheduled, and I remember looking around the treatment room with tears welling in my eyes, thinking, How am I going to do this?
I called each client personally and explained the situation, expecting them to be upset. To my surprise, most of them were understanding—some even offered words of encouragement. That day, I realized that being honest and human was not a weakness, but a strength. I wasn’t just running a business—I was building a community. I got my child home, cared for them, then stayed up all night reorganizing my schedule, cleaning, and prepping for the next day.
I didn’t quit. I pushed through exhaustion, fear, and self-doubt, because I believed in what I was creating. I kept going because I knew I was setting an example—not just for my clients, but for my children. That moment reminded me that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting up every single time with purpose.
That kind of resilience—rooted in faith, family, and passion—has carried me through every challenge since.
Have you ever had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots in my life came when I transitioned from working in the medical field to starting Renué Spa and Wellness.
For years, I worked as a caregiver and medical assistant. I loved caring for people, but after being repeatedly overlooked for opportunities—mostly due to my hearing loss—I hit a breaking point. I had the experience, the certifications, and the passion, but I kept hearing “you’re not a good fit.” I felt stuck, undervalued, and emotionally drained.
That’s when I decided to pivot—not just in career, but in purpose.
I took a leap of faith and returned to what originally sparked my joy: the beauty industry. I had gone to cosmetology school years before, and combining that with my medical background made sense. I invested in training, saved up every penny I could, and started small—offering body sculpting services out of a tiny space. I created my own classes, developed products, and slowly built Renué from the ground up.
That pivot changed my life. It turned rejection into redirection. It allowed me to reclaim my confidence and create opportunities—not just for myself, but for others who felt overlooked or unseen. Now I get to do what I love every day, on my terms.
It was scary. It was uncertain. But it was the best decision I ever made.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renuespawellness?igsh=YnBkOGFrcnJ6YXV4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14H1NJAN3rd/?mibextid=qi2Omg