Have You Lost Yourself in Your Business? Meet Sugar Con Speaker Christy Mehelich

Welcome To The Sugar Show

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Welcome to the Sugar Show, the podcast for beauty pros, ready to drop the wax stick, master body sugaring the smart way, and build a career that loves you back. Whether you're brand new or a seasoned sugar pro, there's something sweet for you in every episode. I'm the Sugar Mama. Let's get into it. Sugar

Busy Versus Profitable And Sustainable

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Tribe, this episode is for the beauty pro who is talented, booked, and still thinking, why do I feel like I'm working so hard and it's still not translating into the money or peace I want? Because being busy isn't the goal. Being profitable and sustainable is. And if you've ever told yourself, I just need to get more organized, or I need to just be more consistent, or I'll work on my business when I have the time. Today is your loving little intervention. And this episode is about turning your business into something that runs with intention, not just effort. And the reason I'm excited about today's guest is because she's not about hype, even though she's kind of a hype girl. She's about actionable planning that actually works in real life with real clients, real cancellations, real exhaustion, and real seasons where you're traveling or life is lifing. I'm sitting down with Kristine Mahalik from Sugaring Hut. You will love her as much as I do. And if you're coming to SugarCon, you'll you're gonna want to hear her speak because her topic is exactly what so many of you need: goal setting and actionable planning that you can implement immediately. What I want you to listen for in this conversation today is a few things. One, how to stop setting goals that become guilt. Two, how to choose one focus that actually moves the needle, and how to create a plan you'll follow, even when you're busy. All right, let's get into it. Welcome,

Meet Kristine And Why She’s Here

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Miss Christy, to the Sugar Show Girl. Hello, thank you so much for having me. You make my heart happy. I can tell you that. We have spent some very humorous time here today, recording, pre-recording, not hitting the record button. It's been a day. But anyway, luckily, you are one of the most outgoing, wonderful humans I think I've met in our industry. So um I get to talk to you twice then. Ha ha. I'm absolutely here for it. I love it. I love it. Okay, we're gonna get down to it because um really it's super important for people to understand who you are, why the heck Sarah asked you to speak, and uh that's gonna become apparent. Um, but really, you know, what you're looking to give to people in this time. So let's start from the very beginning on how the heck you got started in this business, which I love your story, by the way. So I want to make sure that we give you a chance to share that. Yes.

Finding Aesthetics Through A Detour

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Okay, so I first started sugaring in 2010, and I actually went over to college to be a dental hygienist. And I wound up applying late into the program and was like, oh no, I've moved. What am I gonna do? My parents are gonna kill me. Yeah. And I had this really great advisor at the time, and she was like, why don't we have you take this test? We'll see what pops up, and we'll go from there. And I took this test, and my top thing that popped up for me was aesthetics, and I was like, you know, I've always been really interested in skin and skincare. I had struggled with acne like my whole entire teenage years. So I was like, that would be really interesting, and I think I would really enjoy that. So I wound up going to school for aesthetics and I never looked back. Okay, I'm gonna stop you for a moment because I do not want to let it pass that this is your sweet 16. It is your sweet 16. If you started in 2010, this is your 16th year sugaring, and I feel like that needs to be celebrated just like any other sweet 16. That does need to be a thing. I am having candles. I'm gonna get a cake, and I think that there should be a photo shoot. Darn, darn straight. It's gotta be a pineapple cake because that's your jam. Wow. Happy Springs. Okay, so you decide you're gonna go to school and you call up your dad and you say, Dad, I'm going to beauty school. And he says, Yeah, he was like, What are you doing? What, like, what okay, sure, whatever. But my mom was actually a cosmetologist. So of course she's like, Oh, you're following in my footsteps. And uh, it actually was received pretty well by the two of them. Um, I I mean, I originally had the plan of going to school for aesthetics, and then I was going to stay in Seattle, be working as an aesthetician while going to school for dental hygiene. And you were young, I was young, I was 18. Yeah. It's okay to not know what you want to do when you're 18. It is okay to not know what you want to do when you're 18. And it's also make a change. Absolutely. Yeah. You

LA Mentorship And Entrepreneur Roots

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learn how to sugar in school. I did. I learned how to sugar in school. And then I wound up moving back to Wenatchie, and I was sugaring out of a salon for a while, and then I wound up getting into acting school in LA, which acting has always been a huge, huge passion of mine. I can do my. I moved to LA and um was still flying home, sugaring my clients once a month. I also had gotten a job working down there at sugaring LA with Danielle, and it was her very first location. I think I was like her fifth employee that she ever hired. So that was really, really fun and such a good experience, too, not only to be in acting school and doing something that I was passionate about that, but to have the experience of working at Sugaring LA kind of from the ground up for Danielle was really, really awesome. And now she's franchised and she what a great opportunity you had. She is an amazing force in this industry. And there's been quite a few people that have come out of working for Sugaring LA, one of them I know franchised, and it's it really was a great opportunity for you. And I love that you had that role model for then when you went back to Washington to kind of keep her rooted in your goals. So talk about going, leaving LA. Yeah, and Danielle was such an amazing mentor. So I'm really, really, really grateful for that opportunity. And she's just so amazing. So few sugaristas. I mean, Danielle's amazing. If you ever have the opportunity to work at a sugaring LA, she's fabulous. Um, but yes, so then I moved back home to Washington and I was sugaring again out of a little salon. And I had, when I was in LA, found a bar fitness studio that I was absolutely in love with. And I used to teach fitness classes. So I decided that I was going to open up a bar studio again. You were a true entrepreneur. True entrepreneur. You're like, oh, shiny object. I think I can do that. Let's just open a bar studio. Yes, shiny object. Let's do it. Yeah. So I opened up a bar studio here in Wenatchee in 2015. And at the same time, the location that I had found also had a little space for me to be sugaring out of. So that was when the sugaring hut was originally born. And it was just me being solo. And then in 2018, I had kind of made this executive decision that it was time to grow and expand the sugaring hut. And I knew that I couldn't do two things at the same time because it was just going to be too much. So I sold the bar studio with the opportunity to expand the sugaring hut. And then 2019 hit, and I was like, I'm just gonna travel all year and then I'm gonna focus on the business. So I traveled a lot in 2019 and then 2020 hit, and it was COVID, and we were shut down for quite a few months, and it was super scary. And I was like, oh my gosh, I'm never doing anything ever again. Yeah, it felt very isolating for sure. And then 2021 hit, and I was like, let's go! Let's start hiring people. Let's start hiring people. So in 2021 was when I hired my first employee, and then we grew from one to two, two to three, and then we wound up expanding out the entire building. And now I have five rooms, and there are seven of us, and we not only expanded out from sugaring, but we also expanded out into facials and skincare. And then last year we bought a laser, so we've expanded out into that sense as well, which has been such a fun journey. So cool. Now, lasering, by the way, in Washington, we can't laser in California, but you can laser in Washington with an extra licensure, correct? Yes. So you do have to be a master aesthetician. Yeah, which is funny because in California they don't even have that. It's so crazy, like not even that far from us. And you know, we can't do what you guys can do. We just started being able to tint eyebrows. Like biggest state, you know, next to Texas, and we can't we couldn't do anything, and we still can't do half the stuff, but I digress. Interesting. Well, you know, every single state is totally different. Idaho is like the wild, wild west, they're just doing whatever they want over there. I want to go to Idaho. I know, right? Um, okay.

Growth Pressure And Reclaiming Your Why

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So let's fast forward to you're a badass entrepreneur, your team is smiling from ear to ear, they're all fulfilled. There it couldn't all be that happy, joy, joy, right? Like there had to be those moments where you stared at the ceiling and thought, what the heck did I just do? Yes. What got you to the place that you feel confident to do the talk you're having in sugar con? Ooh, that's I teed that up. You're switching it up on me over here. Okay, wait, say it one more time. So, what what was really that that moment where you were like, you know what? Like, I need to set some goals here and I need to, I need to like come back to myself again because you were spinning plates and spinning plates and adding employees and you know, and and what kind of led you to choose the topic that you did for sugar con? Yes. So I think as we are in growth phase, we're so busy with all of the things that you kind of lose yourself a little bit. Yeah. And I hear a lot of people talk about it when they have kids too, that you're a brand new mom, you're so busy, you're not sleeping, you are all over the place, and you kind of lose yourself a little bit. So I really did feel like there was a moment in time where I kind of lost my purpose and my why. And there was also that kind of like oh shit moment of I now have several employees and they're all relying on me for their income. And I have something that I need to be very, very careful with because as business owners, we know things are very expensive and I don't want to close my doors ever. I one of my big things here is always that we have no ceilings, we have continual growth. My team has continual support in anything and everything that they want to do. And you have to be very, very cautious as a business owner. Yeah. So for me, I had kind of gotten to that point where it was like, oh my gosh, I need to like really hone in and focus. Yeah. And I really need to come back to my why. Yeah. Why did I expand in the first place? And where do I want to go and grow the business? Yeah. And having that moment, I I'm not gonna give it all away in the podcast because you guys need to come listen to my talk. That's right, that's right. We gotta save some for Sarah. We gotta save some for Sarah. She wants it. But no, I really one of my whys as a business owner is I got to work at Sugaring LA. It was such a fantastic experience for me. And I absolutely loved my time there. I loved being surrounded by a team, I loved having support, and Danielle was just so fantastic. And when I moved home, I really was missing support from others. And I just kind of had that moment of like, oh, maybe I could be the one to build that in this town. Yeah. And why would I choose to be that person? And one of my real big whys is so I can create this amazing space for other estheticians to come and be a part of and get to do what they're passionate about and what they love and not have to have the stresses and the overhead of running a business. So really coming back into my why helped me realize what is my big goal. And then you start to kind of create those little goals to help step you up into that big goal. And if we don't come back to that why, we can circle the burnout drain really hard and very, very quickly. Yeah. And as a business owner, even as an aesthetician, I know you all have had that moment of burnout. So how do we find the burnout? How do we push through the burnout? And how do we remember why we love doing what we do? Yeah. So that is going to be my talk at SugarCon. Okay,

Who Goal Setting Is For

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that's a big meaty talk. Now, there's people that are listening to this. Yeah, there's people that are listening to this podcast and they're thinking, oh, well, I don't have a business, you know, which is this maybe I shouldn't go to this talk. Oh no. This is for beauty students. This is for newbies. This is for veterans. This is for spot owners and solos. Because if we don't all get to our core of why we're doing this in the first place, then we're gonna lose sight and then our career will not be as fulfilling, as successful, as organized. And uh it's really the reason why you should fight for a front row seat. Yes, it absolutely is. And I really want to meet everybody where they're at. So originally Sarah and I had talked, and it was just going to be geared more towards business owners, but I want to meet everybody where you are. And I think as an aesthetician in general, it's so important for us to come back into that why and our heart and our soul. And whether you feel like you're burnt out or you're not burnt out, just having that moment of like excitement and passion again for what we're doing and why we started doing it in the first place. We're gonna really dive into that. And also, there is a WHUVA app, you guys. And whoa, love the name. Uh, whoa is super, super exciting because we can get on there and have chats before the talk happens. So I really want to be able to share some of your whys with everybody sitting around and kind of have a conversation about it and finding that big goal that you have and maybe talking about how do we get to that big goal. So definitely make sure that you are active on there as well because I think that that's going to be a really amazing tool for us.

SugarCon Community And Simple Next Steps

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Yeah, for sure. You know, I'm gonna give uh the audience two goals because sometimes we just need baby goals in order to, you know, really get the most out of a show like this. Um, the first goal is to download the Whova app and engage with the speakers like yourself. And when there's questions that pop up, engage. Don't just go, uh-huh, and put your phone down. Like engage. Like this is a tool that not many conferences have that people, I mean, last year I was surprised. My phone was blowing up with people that were having questions and and loving things. And and I mean, it was really, really valuable. And my second goal for you as an audience is to meet Christy. Come and spend time with her and share your why with her. Either it's on the app or live at SugarCon, because this is Sarah did such a great job last year with SugarCon to create this intimate space where you could literally sit down on the on the bench with someone and have a hide a scone and a cup of coffee with someone I'd never met in in Ohio. And it was so fun and real. And that is what this show is about. It's it's more than a show, it's a conference, it's a it's a sugaring convention, but it's it's it's really an intimate family that hasn't been able to have a chance to meet each other. It's like long-lost sisters that you know we didn't we didn't know before. And now I met all these new friends, and some of them are educators for us now that I never met before SugarCon. And yeah, so I encourage them to come meet you because you're so shy. Please come meet me. I would love to meet all of you. Also, if you're on Instagram, DM me anytime. I'm very active on there, and I would love to talk to you and support you however I can. So yes, please, please come meet me. I love it. You know, uh, Christy, we're gonna be learning a lot about technique, about products. There's products of the wazoo at that at that show. Um, you know, there's all kinds of different folks that are there, but your class is gonna be really critical for the part of the weekend that you come back to yourself, like we said, that you come back to your why, you set some goals. Even if you take notes for setting goals when you get back and take it real serious. This is one of those speeches that you shouldn't miss because it will really help you to get centered. And I'm really glad that you're doing it because I think that sometimes we just say, Oh, yeah, start a sugaring business. It's all good. It's you make so much money, it's so easy. Uh-huh. Not such, but it's easier if you have a community. And that is what this is all about. Absolutely. That is absolutely accurate for sure. I like that too. I really do want to meet everybody where they are. And whether you're a student, you've been in business for 20 years, you're wanting to franchise. I feel like this talk is going to be for anyone and everyone, and we can all just kind of maybe like see where we used to be versus where we are as well, and talk about that and kind of dive into when you're brand new versus when it's been 20 years and where we at and how things shift and change and all of the above. That is so cool because you know, my why was different when my kids were three and six. My, you know, now they're six, two and telling me the way it is, you know, and off to college, you know, and my why is different now. I don't have to make sure that they have, you know, snacks in their lunch and how do I afford that? You know, that's that's not my why is different now. And I think it's a really good exercise. And I'm really, really glad that you're speaking and that we get to make you live. I know. I'm so excited. It's gonna be really, really fun. Yes. And you have you been to Cleveland before? No, I have not been to Cleveland. You were gonna love Cleveland! I I had no idea what like Cleveland. I it's genuinely, I mean, we stayed at the coolest Airbnb. We like the little downtown is so darling. This is a new facility that they're having it at the convention center. I was I was like, Ma! Cleveland, bucket list! Who would have thought I didn't even know it was gonna be on my bucket list? And now I can't wait to go back. So I'm excited. Okay, let's go. I know, I know. I'm really excited for you to spend some time with us there, and I'm really glad that you're a part of this tribe now. It's um, it's you're gonna absolutely love it, and you will sign up for the next one before you even leave this one because it's really that great. So thank you, Miss Thang, Miss Frankie from the Sugaring Hut, and uh I can't wait to see you live and hug you in person. Yes. Oh my gosh, same. I cannot wait. It's gonna be so much fun. I love it, girl. Thanks for being on the show. Yes, thank you. See you in class.

Implementation Pays And Closing Challenge

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Okay, that right there is why Christy's session at SugarCon is going to be a must if you want to walk into the rest of your year with an actual plan. Because inspiration is cute and fun, but implementation pays you. If business planning is your weak spot, or if you're ready to grow without burning out, go here, Christy, at SugarCon in Cleveland. Bring your real numbers, bring your real struggle. This is the kind of workshop that can turn your next 90 days into a breakthrough. If this episode helped you, share it with a beauty pro friend who is amazing behind the table, but needs to be a little stronger behind the scenes. And stay with me in this sweet success series because we are getting sugarcon ready. And I'll see you in Cleveland.