We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Meleena Murray a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Meleena, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

As a life coach and cosmetologist, I’ve always believed that taking risks is essential for growth and success. Going into these fields required me to push beyond my comfort zone, challenging myself to explore new methods and approaches to better serve my clients. Whether it’s offering innovative coaching strategies or embracing the latest beauty techniques, I’ve learned that calculated risks allow me to evolve both professionally and personally. Each leap forward, whether big or small, opens doors to new opportunities, helping me create a more impactful business and making a positive difference in the lives of those I work with.

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 got into both life coaching and cosmetology because I’ve always had a deep passion for helping others feel confident, empowered, and beautiful—inside and out. Early on, I realized that personal growth and self-care were interconnected, and I wanted to merge these two worlds. After years of personal exploration and training, I pursued certifications in life coaching and cosmetology to expand my ability to make a lasting impact in people’s lives.

In my business, I offer a unique blend of services: transformative life coaching that guides clients through personal challenges, mindset shifts, and goal-setting, paired with specialized beauty services that focus on physical self-care, confidence-boosting, and empowerment. Whether it’s helping someone navigate a career transition, work through emotional barriers, or offering beauty treatments that make them feel refreshed and radiant, my aim is always to help people align their inner selves with their outer appearance.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach. While many in these fields specialize in just one aspect—either personal development or beauty—I integrate both, understanding that true confidence comes from a balance of inner growth and external presentation. My clients come to me not just for a makeover, but for a transformative experience that touches their mindset, their goals, and how they show up in the world. I also prioritize authenticity, ensuring that each person I work with feels seen, heard, and understood.

I’m most happy of the lasting relationships I’ve built with clients who’ve seen real, life-changing results. Whether it’s a breakthrough moment in a coaching session or a client stepping into a new version of themselves after a beauty treatment, I’m proud of the trust they place in me. The most rewarding part of my work is witnessing the confidence shift that happens when someone truly believes in their own potential.

What I want potential clients to know is that my work goes beyond just the services I offer—it’s about helping them connect with their highest potential. It’s about creating a safe space where transformation can happen on both a personal and physical level. I’m passionate about guiding people on their journey to self-empowerment, and I’m here to help them embrace their uniqueness, overcome obstacles, and live authentically. Whether you’re looking for personal development or a boost in your beauty routine, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining moments in my journey that showcases my resilience happened early on in my career as a life coach and cosmetologist. At the time, I was juggling both training and starting my business, and like many entrepreneurs, I faced setbacks—especially financial ones. There was a period when I was just getting started, and I had invested a lot of money in courses, certifications, and equipment. My client base was still small, and there were times when I questioned if I had made the right choice.

One particularly tough moment stands out: I had just launched a new coaching program and had invested a significant amount of time and energy into marketing it. But the response was underwhelming. I didn’t have the clients I expected, and the uncertainty was overwhelming. I was at a crossroads, wondering if I should just go back to a more traditional career path, one that offered more stability.

But instead of giving up, I took a step back and reevaluated my approach. I reached out to a few clients for feedback, adjusted my marketing strategy, and started offering free workshops to build a connection with my community. I also focused on improving my personal brand, sharing my story more authentically with potential clients. Slowly but surely, things began to turn around. People started recognizing my authenticity and my unique approach to blending life coaching and beauty. The first few months were challenging, but those small steps of resilience—adapting, learning from my failures, and continuing to believe in myself—led to a steady growth in both my client base and my confidence.

Looking back, that period was a turning point for me. It taught me that resilience is not about avoiding failure, but about learning from it, staying adaptable, and keeping the faith when things don’t go as planned. That experience has shaped the way I approach both my work and my life now—I am not afraid of challenges, because I know I have the strength to overcome them.

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

One significant time I had to pivot in my business was during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a life coach and cosmetologist, my business relied heavily on in-person interactions—whether that was coaching clients one-on-one or providing beauty services. When everything shut down, I faced the sudden loss of income and the challenge of rethinking how I could continue serving my clients in a time of uncertainty.

At first, I was overwhelmed, unsure of how to proceed. The idea of pivoting was daunting, especially since both coaching and cosmetology are hands-on, personal services. However, after taking a step back, I realized that this was an opportunity to adapt rather than give up.

I quickly transitioned my life coaching sessions to virtual platforms, offering Zoom calls and creating a series of online workshops. This allowed me to continue helping clients with their personal growth and mindset even while we were all in isolation. I also embraced social media and began sharing more content that could help people stay positive and focused during such a challenging time. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and I realized that my clients not only appreciated the support but also found value in the accessibility and convenience of virtual sessions.

For my cosmetology side of the business, I knew I couldn’t provide in-person beauty services, but I pivoted by creating and selling beauty-related products—skincare kits, virtual beauty tutorials, and self-care guides. I also started offering virtual consultations, helping clients with beauty routines, and recommending products they could use at home.

This pivot was crucial for keeping my business afloat during a time when everything seemed uncertain. It taught me the power of adaptability and how important it is to innovate when faced with challenges. The experience also showed me that I didn’t have to rely solely on in-person services to make an impact—I could still connect with clients and help them even in a virtual environment.

Looking back, I’m grateful for that time because it forced me to get creative and pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. It also deepened my connection with my clients, as they saw me persevere through adversity, and that shared experience helped us all grow.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Meleena Cute