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

Michelle, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I think for so many of us, success is defined differently based on our values, upbringing, goals, etc. For myself, success is something I’ve been chasing for the better part of my adult life, even though those around me have considered me to be successful.

In every job I’ve held since my twenties I’ve been promoted to a managerial role in some way. To those who saw no further than the restaurant as their career, my role was “success” to them, but it was not my end goal and so I never felt successful. To me, being successful was working a job that could pay my bills but also was good for my mental health. At that point in my life, I did not reach my goal of “successful” woman even though I didn’t know exactly what it would look like.

When I first got into aesthetics, I was booked and busy by my first year. Some people would consider taking 13 clients a day, five days a week as successful. My ex-employer certainly valued over-working as a measure for success. To young estheticians that may seem successful too because they want so badly to fill their books! However, with that came big problems in my marriage, damage to my body, emotional distress, and an unhealthy work-life balance. How is that successful?

I tell my husband all the time, I’m not looking to become a millionaire but I do want to be able to live a comfortable life. Middle class is totally fine by me, To so many people that right there is a sign of failure because I am not reaching for billionaire status like so many others these day seem to be. I just want a simple life. A happy and simple life, to me, means I’m successful. If I have some bills to pay each month, it’s not a big deal. I don’t want to drown in debt, but my appetites for luxury pretty much end at skincare and that’s my profession!

The beauty industry is enormous, with so many opportunities for new modalities, products, techniques, you name it! This means, for me and for many others like me there is a lot of freedom in cultivating a successful business that is 100% authentic to you. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but I’ve found that when you stick to your ethics, the right treatments will find their way into your practice.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the aesthetics industry when I was 30 years old. I had just suffered a miscarriage (one of four) and the sudden loss of my father, and I was spiraling into depression. I had already graduated from IU with a Bachelor’s of Art and my original plan of becoming an Anthropology professor was a a dream that I’d given up ten years ago. I was working in restaurants, getting promoted, hating it but staying until I couldn’t take it anymore.

This industry quite literally gave my life meaning. The connection I create with my clients, the results we’ve seen in their skin, and the way my clients feel about themselves after our appointments give me so much purpose and joy.

I specialize in facial treatments such as facials and peels, as well as advanced facial treatments like the Hydrafacial and BioRePeel. My passion is for giving my clients glass skin!

I also pride myself on my ability to work with clients of all budgets to get them a home care regimen and treatment plan that doesn’t make them feel pressured or overwhelmed. Ethics is a huge part of my brand, and I would never sacrifice a client’s well-being to make a buck.

When I’m not doing skincare, I’m mothering my one-year old son Silas as well as two dogs and a cat. I love to cook, garden, travel, bike ride, hike, and watch nature docs or true crime shows. If I could be doing anything in the world right now other than this, I’d love to be an English rose breeder for David Austin roses.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Recently I had the honor of meeting the industry’s most-popular influencer The Dallas Aesthetician, Savanna Boda. She gave amazing advice about social media and the biggest takeaways I got from her are these: 1. Show up, every day. Even if you don’t want to, show up.
2. Be authentic. Don’t copy someone else because you think it will get you more followers.
3. Engage with every comment, DM, etc quickly and thoughtfully.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that overworking yourself is wrong. At every single job I’ve ever had, all my former employers have valued those who sacrifice their well-being for the betterment of the company. As the owner and only employee of Blush Aesthetics, I will never abide by that mindset again,

I used to take 13 clients back to back 5 days a week. This was praised by my boss and my bank account. That work ethic led to a bulging disc in my lower back and a tear in connective tissue for my lateral muscle. The worst part? I did all that work for a 50% commission—so I wasn’t even reaping all the benefit of my hard work!

Now that I own my own business and have significantly scaled back my hours, I am both physically and mentally doing infinitely better,

We need to end this hustle hard mindset before the cost of it is too late on our bodies and minds.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vagaro.com/blushaeshtetics4
• Instagram: Estie.michelle
• Other: @blush.aesthetics.valpo on instagram

Image Credits
Ky.weir on instagram