Taking the Leap: The Beginning of Radiance Unraveled

When I finished esthetician school, the very first thing I did was rush to take my state board exam. I honestly just wanted to get it out of the way. Luckily, I passed on the first try — and I was very thankful for that because I definitely did not want to go through that process twice.

But once that was done, something interesting happened. After all the pressure of school, studying, and preparing for the exam, I realized I was exhausted. I just wanted to decompress for a little while. Even though I had this vision in my head about opening my own suite, I kept telling myself, “Okay, I’ll start working toward that soon.”

At one point I even told myself that opening my suite would be my birthday gift to myself.

But if I’m being honest, I found myself procrastinating more than actually starting.

Looking back now, I think I was low-key scared.

Starting something of your own is exciting, but it’s also intimidating. There’s this voice in the back of your head asking, “What if it doesn’t work?”

Then something small happened that ended up shifting my mindset.

One day I saw one of my former classmates posting content online about the work she was doing and how she had started getting things going. I reached out to her just to say that I was proud of her. She invited me to come down and get my eyebrows done.

When I went to see her, we talked for a while. She shared some of the obstacles she had been dealing with while starting her own business. I remember telling her not to worry too much about those things — that she was doing great and that putting herself out there was the most important part.

Then she looked at me and said something simple.

“You should do it too.”

That moment stuck with me.

Sometimes it takes seeing someone else take the leap to realize that maybe you can do it too.

That conversation honestly motivated me to finally start putting real action behind the idea of opening Radiance Unraveled.

The first thing I did was start looking for a space.

looking for a space

Once I began touring different places, it started to feel real. I could see the possibilities, and that made the excitement start to grow.

But during that process I also had to learn something important: I had to be realistic about my expectations.

Originally, I had my eye on these beautiful salon suites that had everything — a sink in the room, cabinet storage, plenty of space, and a lot of privacy. It was exactly what I imagined.

But when I really looked at the financial side of it, the rent simply wasn’t something I felt comfortable committing to right now.

And that was a hard moment, because sometimes your vision doesn’t match what’s realistic in the beginning.

I had to remind myself of something I think a lot of entrepreneurs have to learn:

Your first step doesn’t have to be your final destination.

The space you start in is simply a stepping stone to where you want to go.

So I chose the space I’m in now.

It’s smaller than I originally imagined.
It doesn’t have as much privacy as I hoped for.

But you know what?

It’s mine.

It’s a space that belongs to Radiance Unraveled, and I can build from here.

Once I secured the space, the next step was making sure all of the business foundations were in place.

Business foundations

I registered my business as an LLC.
I obtained my EIN.
I made sure my seller’s permit was active and ready to use.
I opened my business checking account.
I applied for my DUNS number — because Radiance Unraveled isn’t just a small idea to me. I’m building something that I plan to grow.

I also got my business insurance and registered my business with the city where I plan to operate.

I wanted to make sure I checked every box so that everything was set up the right way from the start.

After that, I moved on to choosing a booking platform.

choosing a booking platform

For me, GlossGenius made the most sense. I liked that it allows me to create detailed client profiles, collect deposits, manage waivers and consent forms, and keep everything organized in one place. It also has built-in marketing tools, which makes it easier to communicate with clients.

Once my booking system was set up, I sat down and really thought about the services I wanted to offer.

As estheticians, we learn so many things in school that it’s easy to feel like we need to offer everything right away. But I didn’t want Radiance Unraveled to feel scattered or all over the place.

So I asked myself a simple question:

What are the core services I truly want to build my business around?

For me, the answer was clear.

Facials and waxing.

I want to focus on corrective facial treatments — helping clients address real skin concerns and maintain healthy skin.

And waxing? There’s just something about it that I genuinely enjoy. It’s satisfying work, and it’s also an important maintenance service for many clients.

I decided that these two services would be the foundation of Radiance Unraveled. Later on, if I want to expand into other services like lashes, tinting, or additional treatments, I can always add those.

But for now, I’m focused on mastering my core.

Once my services and pricing were set up inside GlossGenius, the next big decision was choosing my professional back-bar skincare line.

Choosing my professional back-bar skincare line.

During school, we worked primarily with Dermalogica. But from the beginning, I knew that I didn’t want that to be the line I built my treatment room around.

So I started researching.

I looked at what other estheticians were using, explored different brands, and narrowed my choices down to a few options: Circadia, GlyMed Plus, and PCA Skin.

In the end, I decided to move forward with GlyMed Plus.

What really stood out to me was the science behind their formulations. Their products are pharmaceutical-grade, and they offer a lot of education and support for estheticians. I also appreciated how inclusive their approach to skincare is and how many different skin concerns their products can address.

Choosing a back-bar line felt like choosing a partner for my treatment room, and GlyMed Plus felt like the right place for me to start.

Looking back on this entire journey, I realize that starting Radiance Unraveled wasn’t just about opening a skincare business.

It was about overcoming hesitation.

It was about pushing past fear.

And it was about believing that even small steps forward can lead to something meaningful.

Radiance Unraveled is still at the beginning of its story, but this leap of faith is one I’m proud I finally took.

Choosing My Back Bar (And Realizing I Didn’t Have to Choose Just One)

One of the biggest reasons I chose GlyMed Plus was because of how inclusive the brand felt to me. When I looked through their education materials and marketing, I saw models who looked like me. Representation matters, especially in skincare, because different skin types and tones have different needs.

But something else I realized during my research is that choosing a back bar line doesn’t mean you have to commit to only one brand forever.

So while GlyMed Plus became the primary line I wanted to work with, I also decided to incorporate a few products from Circadia as well. If I’m being honest, part of that decision was because I’m a little indecisive. But it was also because I had heard great things about some of their masks and specialty products.

I also picked up some tools from Circadia that GlyMed doesn’t offer for retail, like dermaplaning blades and handles. It made sense to mix in a few items that would help complete my treatment setup.

How Much Should You Invest in Back Bar?

Once I decided on the brands, the next question hit me almost immediately:

How much is too much to invest in back bar when you’re just starting out?

Am I buying too many products?
Am I not buying enough?

There isn’t really a clear answer to that question when you’re new, so I did what many people do when they’re trying to figure something out — I went to Facebook.

I joined a few esthetician groups and asked other professionals what they typically invest when they’re first starting their business. I received a lot of helpful responses and different perspectives.

Using that information, I decided on an amount that felt financially comfortable for me.

When it came to choosing which products to actually purchase, I took a practical approach. I looked through a few treatment protocols from GlyMed Plus and paid attention to the products used in those protocols. Those became the foundation of my initial back bar purchases.

That way, I wasn’t just randomly buying products — I was buying what I needed to actually perform services.

Updating My Website

Another thing I learned during this process is how important it is to create an online space where people can easily find you and understand what you offer.

So I updated my website, Radiance Unraveled, to reflect the direction of my business.

Instead of just having a basic website, I wanted it to feel like a place where people could:

• Get to know their new esthetician
• Book appointments easily
• Shop recommended skincare products

My website now connects directly to my booking platform through GlossGenius, where clients can schedule services and manage their appointments.

I also added links to shop professional skincare through my GlyMed Plus retail store.

And because waxing services are part of my offerings, I also added a retail section for Bushbalm, which specializes in pre- and post-care products for hair removal and ingrown hair prevention.

Of course, I also included this blog as a space where I can share my experiences, skincare education, and the journey of building Radiance Unraveled.

Continuing My Education

Once everything was set up, I knew the next important step was education.

Choosing a skincare line is one thing, but truly understanding the products, ingredients, and protocols is what helps you confidently treat your clients.

So I immediately started signing up for classes through GlyMed Plus.

Some of them are virtual courses, and others are self-paced trainings that I can complete on my own time. My goal is to learn as much as I can about the products and the different protocols so that when I begin treating clients, I feel confident in the choices I’m making for their skin.

Knowledge is a big part of building trust as an esthetician.

Building My Suite

Then came the part that made everything start to feel real — building out my suite.

This process came with its own set of questions.

How many sheets should I buy?
How many covers do I need?
How much furniture should I invest in right now?

These were all things constantly running through my mind.

To keep costs manageable, I tried to bargain and shop smart wherever I could. Facebook Marketplace ended up being a great resource for finding items at a lower price while still building a comfortable space for my clients.

Little by little, I started gathering everything I needed.

Furniture.
Sheets.
Equipment.
Decor.

Each small purchase made the space feel more like the vision I had in my head.

Bringing Radiance Unraveled to Life

This journey has been full of learning experiences, small wins, and moments of doubt. But every step has brought me closer to turning this idea into something real.

Radiance Unraveled started as a vision, and now it’s becoming a space where I’ll be able to serve my clients, provide corrective skincare treatments, and continue growing as an esthetician.

I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I’m grateful for every step that led me here.

Now the next chapter begins — welcoming clients and bringing Radiance Unraveled fully to life.