Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Lee.
Hi Cynthia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Seven years ago, I started with a treatment room, a dream, and a determination to create something of my own.
What began as a solo esthetics business was built one client, one service, and one long day at a time. In the beginning, I was everything: esthetician, receptionist, social media manager, marketer, cleaner, inventory manager, and business owner. Every lesson was learned through experience, and every milestone was earned through persistence.
As the business grew, so did the vision.
I took the leap from working alone to building a team. Hiring my first employee taught me that growth isn’t just about increasing revenue, it’s about creating opportunities for others, building a culture people want to be a part of, and learning how to lead instead of simply doing everything yourself.
Today, The Aesthetic Label has grown into a storefront with a talented team of specialists who share the same passion for helping clients feel confident in their own skin. What started as one esthetician in a treatment room has evolved into a collaborative beauty and wellness space offering advanced skincare, lashes, brows, waxing, spray tanning, and education.
And we’re just getting started.
The next chapter is already underway as we prepare to open The Mane Haus, a booth rental hair salon located right next to our current spa. The goal is to create a beautiful, supportive environment where hairstylists can grow their own businesses while being surrounded by a community that encourages success.
This journey has been filled with challenges, risks, setbacks, victories, and countless moments of growth. There were times I questioned myself, times I had to pivot, and times I had to bet on myself when no one else fully understood the vision.
From solo esthetician…
To employer…
To storefront owner…
To opening a second business…
Every step has been a reminder that success isn’t built overnight. It’s built through consistency, resilience, and a willingness to keep going when things get hard.
I’m incredibly grateful for every client, every team member, every supporter, and every lesson that has helped shape this journey.
And while I’m proud of how far we’ve come, I’m even more excited for what’s ahead.
Because the dream was never just to build a beauty business.
The dream was to build something bigger than myself; something that creates opportunities, impacts lives, and continues growing long after the doors first opened.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something valuable. One of the biggest obstacles was learning how to transition from being a service provider to being a business owner and leader. When I first started, I did everything myself, providing services, answering messages, marketing, cleaning, managing inventory, and handling finances. As the business grew, I had to learn how to hire, train, and lead a team while still maintaining the client experience and quality standards I built my reputation on.
Financially, growth has required taking calculated risks. Expanding into a larger storefront, investing in equipment, managing payroll, and preparing for future expansion all came with uncertainty. There were also challenges with staffing, creating systems, and learning how to navigate setbacks without losing momentum.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve experienced moments of self-doubt, burnout, and unexpected obstacles. However, each challenge strengthened my problem-solving skills and reinforced my belief in the vision. Looking back, the struggles have been just as important as the successes because they helped shape both me and the business into what they are today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Aesthetic Label is a luxury spa located in Clarkston, Michigan. What started as a solo esthetics business has grown into a storefront with a team of talented providers who are passionate about helping clients feel confident in their own skin.
While we offer a wide variety of services, including advanced skincare, acne treatments, chemical peels, microneedling, lashes, brows, waxing, and spray tanning; we’ve built our team differently. Rather than having everyone do everything, each provider specializes in their own niche and focuses on mastering their craft. This allows our clients to receive expert-level care from professionals who are truly passionate and highly educated in the services they provide.
What sets us apart is our commitment to education, results, and the client experience. We believe clients deserve more than a service, they deserve a customized experience, honest recommendations, and a provider who genuinely cares about helping them achieve their goals.
One thing I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built. The Aesthetic Label isn’t just a spa; it’s a place where clients feel welcomed, supported, and cared for, and where beauty professionals can grow their careers while continuing to perfect their specialties.
Over the last several years, I’ve gone from being a solo esthetician working alone to leading a team, opening a storefront, and now preparing to expand again with the opening of The Mane Haus, a neighboring hair salon concept. Watching an idea that started with one treatment room evolve into multiple businesses has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Our mission is simple: deliver exceptional results, create opportunities for beauty professionals, and continue raising the standard of what the beauty industry can be. We want every client who walks through our doors to feel seen, cared for, and more confident than when they arrived.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There are so many people who deserve credit for helping me get to where I am today. First and foremost, my family. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, and there were many moments when I doubted myself, took risks that didn’t make sense on paper, or felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of building something from the ground up. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me helped me keep going.
My team also deserves a tremendous amount of credit. The Aesthetic Label would not be what it is today without the talented women who show up every day committed to their clients, their craft, and our shared vision. Watching each of them grow into specialists within their own niche has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey as a business owner.
I also owe a great deal to my clients. Many of them have been with me since the very beginning, supporting me through every phase of growth, from a small treatment room, to hiring my first team members, to opening our storefront. Their trust, referrals, reviews, and loyalty are the reason we’ve been able to continue growing year after year.
Lastly, I’d credit the mentors, educators, and fellow business owners who have shared their experiences and knowledge along the way. No one truly builds a business alone. Every conversation, lesson, and piece of advice has played a role in shaping both me and The Aesthetic Label.
While my name may be attached to the business, its success is really the result of a community of people who believed in the vision and helped bring it to life. For that, I’ll always be grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theaestheticlabel.square.site
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theaestheticlabel.mi
