We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mecaila Diaz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mecaila below.

Mecaila, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

I think the biggest change we need is to take the pressure off students to have their entire future figured out at 18. My path hasn’t been traditional, and I’m grateful for that. I went to college right after high school, but a couple years in, I took time off to work, save money, and figure out what I actually wanted.

That led me to trade school, where I became a respiratory therapist. I’ve worked in diagnostics, emergency medicine, long-term acute care, and now case management. Along the way, I also became an esthetician after learning how important skin health is.

Those experiences gave me more than just job titles. They gave me two careers I love, helping children and families in early intervention and running my own virtual skincare business. Students should be encouraged to explore their passions before committing to higher education. For me, my trade degrees ended up being the most valuable steps toward a fulfilling career.

Mecaila, 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?

I work in early intervention as a service coordinator, helping kids from birth to age three and their families get the support they need to thrive. Before this, I was a respiratory therapist, working in everything from emergency medicine to long-term acute care to case management. That background really shaped how I care for families today.

I also run a virtual skincare business where I offer custom skin coaching, medical-grade product recommendations, and guided at-home facials. I love making skincare feel simple and approachable so people can feel confident in their own skin.

Outside of work, I stay busy with my husband and two children hiking and exploring Colorado and with community projects. Through my platform, The Ripple Effect, I’ve organized clothing drives, diaper donations, and local fundraisers. I’m also the dress coordinator for Wine & Dresses, which combines fundraising with sustainable fashion.

In June 2025, I was crowned Ms. United International Elite, representing women from all over the world. For me, the title is about so much more than a crown. It’s about lifting others up, advocating for inclusion, and encouraging women and girls to embrace their strengths. Pageantry has given me a global sisterhood of amazing women who love serving their communities.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A big pivot for me came when I decided to close my brick-and-mortar spa after two and a half years in business and move everything online. I had noticed a steady decrease in bookings, and many clients were telling me it was getting harder to come in for monthly facials. At the same time, they still wanted to take care of themselves and keep their skin healthy.

That got me thinking about how I could still serve them without the limits of a physical location. I decided to start teaching my clients how to care for their skin at home. Now, I help them create custom skincare routines that fit their lifestyle and goals, and I make sure they know how to use each product the right way. I also teach them how to give themselves a relaxing facial at home, so great skin is just a step into their bathroom, not a trip to the spa.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Funding was definitely a challenge for me. I used my savings to invest in my location, initial licensing, equipment, and the first bit of skincare inventory I purchased. From there, I also worked a full-time job from home so I could have a flexible schedule and put every dollar I made back into the business. I invested in growing the services I offered and seeking out education in new modalities.

It was exciting but also exhausting to constantly pour everything back into the business. Now that my business is fully virtual, I no longer carry product and my expenses are much lower. It has made my work feel fun again and given me the freedom to focus on serving my clients without the constant overhead stress.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mecailabeth?igsh=YWl3cDJ0NDhqN3ht&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16wUzqrNqZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Afif Cherie studio primetime
Spenser Chambers SC Photography