Reflecting on Growth and Gratitude: 11 years of lessons and wins.

Hi guys!

As the year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the incredible journey of owning my lash salon and spa for the past 11 years. It’s hard to put into words just how much growth, gratitude, and transformation this journey has brought into my life. When I first opened the doors to my salon, I had no idea what the future would hold, frankly I didn't fully know what I was doing! But I knew I wanted to create something special—a space where people could feel beautiful, confident, and cared for.

This year has been a standout. I had the honor of graduating from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which pushed me to think differently about leadership and growth. I earned my micropigmentation license, opening up new opportunities to serve you, my beloved clients, in deeper, more meaningful ways. I was also humbled to be nominated for the Best in NorthShore award, a reminder of the love and support from my clients and community. One of the most exciting accomplishments this year was starting my own skincare line, Rituals. Creating a product line has been a dream of mine for years, and seeing it come to life has been surreal. With Rituals, I wanted to craft something that reflected the same care and quality that I put into every client interaction—products that enhance self-care rituals and help people feel their absolute best. Launching it was both thrilling and nerve-wracking, but it’s been one of the most fulfilling parts of this year.

And, as if that weren’t enough, another major highlight was building and launching my very own website and blog. It’s a space where I can share my story, my vision, and my voice in a way that feels authentic and personal.

Each of these accomplishments represents not just a win but also a moment of courage. None of these milestones came easily. They required late nights, tough decisions, and often stepping into the unknown. I’ve learned that the hardest moments—those times when I felt unsure or even afraid—were the ones that led to the most growth.

Owning a business for over a decade has taught me that challenges, as much as I hate them, are part of the process. They’re not here to stop us but to teach us, to help us evolve, and to push us toward something greater. Looking back, I realize the moments that scared me the most—whether it was taking a big financial risk, learning a new skill, or stepping into a leadership role—were also the moments that held the greatest rewards.

Of course, not everything goes as planned, and that’s where one of the most important lessons comes in: offering ourselves love and grace when things don’t go the way we hoped. It’s easy to be hard on ourselves, I know I am when I feel like I’ve fallen short, but growth doesn’t always follow a straight line. There’s power in taking a step back, acknowledging our efforts, and recognizing that setbacks are just as much a part of the journey as successes. We have to remember to celebrate the progress we’ve made, even if it looks different from what we imagined. I'm certainly working on this last bit.

As I look ahead to 2025, I’m making a promise to myself, and I hope you’ll consider making it too: let’s commit to doing the things that scare us. Growth doesn’t happen when we’re comfortable; it happens when we take that leap, even when we’re unsure of what’s on the other side. The fear we feel is often a sign that we’re on the brink of something incredible.

I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey. My clients, my team, my friends, and my family—you’ve all been part of this incredible story. Your belief in what I do keeps me going, even on the toughest days.

Here’s to a new year filled with bold steps, new opportunities, and a little fear to remind us we’re growing. Let’s make 2025 the year we embrace the unknown and celebrate every milestone, big or small.

Last but not least, I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes. It has both carried me and encouraged me, I hope you love it as much as I do.

"When you come to the edge of all the light you have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen: There will be something solid for you to stand upon, or, you will be taught to fly.". - Edward Teller

Wishing you and your peace, love, joy. With endless gratitude.
XOXO,
Isabella-