#57 5 Key Steps to Build a Thriving Business: Lessons from Holly Brunelle’s Journey with Pure Bliss

Real stories, practical strategies, and expert advice for entrepreneurs who want to turn their passion into a successful, purpose-driven business.

Ever feel like you’re standing at the edge of a leap of faith, unsure if you can make it? In today’s episode of She Is Unstoppable, I’m talking with Holly Brunell, founder of Pure Bliss, who took that leap—and it led her to build a thriving business out of her passion for skincare. From facing personal loss to launching her business during a global pandemic, Holly’s journey is packed with resilience, faith, and smart decision-making.

Holly didn’t just find success by accident; she trusted her gut, took risks, and leaned on her faith every step of the way. If you’re thinking about starting your own business or if you’re in the middle of a big transition, Holly’s story will show you that with determination and community support, anything is possible.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
(2:15) How a life-changing loss pushed Holly to follow her passion for skincare
(6:32) What gave her the confidence to launch her business during the pandemic
(10:50) How faith and rejection shaped her entrepreneurial journey
(14:15) Why community is a key element in growing a local business
(18:05) Holly’s approach to empowering her team to build their own brands while working under the Pure Bliss umbrella
(23:45) How she navigates doubt and uncertainty through daily routines and faith

Listen in and get inspired by Holly’s story of turning a leap of faith into a thriving, purpose-driven business!

5 Key Steps for Building a Thriving Skincare Business

1. Trust Your Instincts and Take the Leap
After the loss of her father, Holly was forced to re-evaluate her life and ask herself whether she was truly fulfilled. Her passion for skincare kept calling her, and though it was scary, she followed her instincts. Her advice? Don’t wait for the “right time”—if you feel called to something, trust that instinct and take the leap.

2. Embrace Faith and Lean into Challenges
When the pandemic hit, Holly faced uncertainty like never before. Instead of giving up, she embraced her faith and pushed through the fear. By listening to her heart and following divine guidance, Holly turned what could have been a setback into her most successful year yet.

3. Community Over Competition
Pure Bliss isn’t just a spa—it’s a community-driven business built on local support. Holly’s deep ties to her community played a huge role in her success. Her genuine connections helped her grow a loyal clientele, and she emphasizes that building relationships is key to long-term business growth.

4. Empower Your Team to Shine
Holly believes in collaboration over competition, even within her own business. She encourages the women she works with to build their own brands, create their own logos, and grow their personal social media presence. By empowering her team to shine, Holly has created a business that’s not just about her—it’s about everyone growing together.

5. Stay Grounded in Your Purpose
Entrepreneurship is filled with highs and lows, but Holly has found strength through her faith and daily routines. By starting each day with prayer and intention, she stays grounded and focused on her purpose. Her message is simple: trust your journey, stay connected to your “why,” and keep pushing forward even when doubts arise.

Ready to Launch Your Own Business?

Holly’s story is proof that success isn’t about having all the answers upfront—it’s about taking action, trusting your gut, and building relationships along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, Holly’s journey offers valuable insights to help you move forward with confidence.



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Until next time, keep striving and stay unstoppable!

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Until next time, keep striving and stay unstoppable!

Transcript:
[00:00:13.880] – Deanna Hinsz
Welcome to She Is Unstoppable, the go to podcast for every woman who’s ready to step up, stand out and thrive. I’m your host, Deanna Hinz. Here on the show, we feature extraordinary women leaders and entrepreneurs. These powerful guests share their journeys of breaking barriers, creating successful ventures, and living lives that inspire. Each episode is packed with real stories and real advice for women who’ve done it. We also provide you with actionable tips and proven strategies to help you build your leadership skills, enhance your business, and achieve your goals. If you’re looking to take your professional and personal life to the next level, this is the place for you. Are you ready to make real changes? Ready to face challenges head on and turn them into stepping stones? Then you belong with us. Join the community.

[00:01:05.240] – Deanna Hinsz
For fierce, unstoppable women, it’s time to.

[00:01:08.510] – Deanna Hinsz
Get motivated, get inspired, and get moving. Let’s dive into today’s episode and unlock your unstoppable potential. What if the biggest leap of faith you’ll ever take is the one that leads you to your passion? In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with a woman who knows exactly what that feels like. Holly Brunel, the owner of Pure Bliss, didn’t just stumble into success. She created it by listening to her heart, trusting her instincts, and taking risks when the odds seemed impossible. From overcoming personal loss to starting a business during a pandemic, Holly’s journey is the definition of resilience, faith and determination. Today, she’s here to share the exact steps she took to turn her love for skincare into a thriving business that empowers both her clients and her team. Get ready to be inspired as we dive into Holly’s story of growth, community, and pure entrepreneurial bliss.

[00:02:10.550] – Deanna Hinsz
Holly, thank you so much for coming on today’s show. I am so excited to talk to you. You have no idea that you’re having me. Oh, my gosh. This is going to be great because we live in the same community and we do know each other, but we don’t really know each other.

[00:02:28.380] – Holly Brunelle
I know. Yes.

[00:02:30.170] – Deanna Hinsz
So I am so excited to ask you questions and really get to know you and my audience gets to know you, too, and just how amazing you are. So. So, first off, before we get started, just want you to introduce yourself. Who are you and what do you do?

[00:02:46.860] – Holly Brunelle
Yes. My name is Holly Brunell. I own pure bliss to land a spa here in downtown Deland. I have been in the industry eight years, but I have owned my own business for four. I’m a mom of three boys and I absolutely love what I do.

[00:03:03.020] – Deanna Hinsz
I love that me being a mom of two boys, like, I get it. It’s. I love being a boy, mom. It’s just. It’s the best thing in the world.

[00:03:12.250] – Holly Brunelle
Yeah. They keep you busy, that’s for sure.

[00:03:14.720] – Deanna Hinsz
Yes. Oh, my gosh. They absolutely do. Yeah. It’s a good thing, though.

[00:03:18.710] – Holly Brunelle
It is.

[00:03:19.240] – Deanna Hinsz
So I want to talk about pure bliss for a second. You said you’ve been in business. Like, you’ve been doing this for longer than you’ve been in business and.

[00:03:31.390] – Holly Brunelle
Correct.

[00:03:32.410] – Deanna Hinsz
So how did you first start into this industry? Like, what first led you here?

[00:03:37.710] – Holly Brunelle
So I will. And friends will always say this, too. I was always the one that would do my friends makeup. I was always so interested in skincare. I was always the one wearing the big hats, wearing the SPF, telling my friends, you have to use the right moisturizer, and they would make fun of me. Like, what are you talking about? Who puts moisturizer on their skin now? Everyone does.

[00:03:56.040] – Deanna Hinsz
Right?

[00:03:56.820] – Holly Brunelle
But so out of high school, I did go to massage school first. I loved it. I loved everything about it. But unfortunately, at that time, Florida did not have their own state license. It was an MCT and B test, and it was a national. I took it four times, and I struggled, and it wasn’t even hands on. You had to, like, check in. They fingerprinted you. You’re in this little cubicle with the camera above you. Yeah. Talk about pressure.

[00:04:22.600] – Deanna Hinsz
That is so stressful. I can’t even imagine.

[00:04:25.620] – Holly Brunelle
So I kind of just, like, gave up. Didn’t feel like, okay, why am I going to keep paying for something? My first husband was like, oh, you know, just, so let’s move on to something else. So I got. I worked in the medical field for ten years. Behind the scenes, life happens. Marriage, baby, divorce. I got remarried the ten years I was at the doctor’s office and had my second son. And then it wasn’t until I lost my father that I, like, really, with the grieving process, I was just, like, really evaluating life. You know, life so precious, especially when you love someone, like, so close to you, it really makes you, like, evaluate. Like, I’m not doing something that fulfills me. So my husband had worked so hard to get where he was, and I, like, I was literally getting massage, and the lady told me, you know, I told. I said how I love skincare. It’s just I didn’t know if I, you know, I didn’t want to risk going to school and giving up my job and, you know, not having that extra income. And she’s like, you know, you can go to, like, a school that’s just for skin and you can be done in a couple months.

[00:05:32.790] – Holly Brunelle
I was like, wait, what? Like, I don’t have to go to the whole cosmetology program? She’s like, yeah. So I did my research. I approached my husband, and I did it. And I remember it was literally three months after my father’s passing. I did it, and I was done in two and a half months. I. The doctor’s office on my ten year anniversary, I, you know, they supported me. They had a going away party. They got me gifts for school, and it was amazing. So I finished. And right when I was done with school, I was. God would send certain clients while I was in school reminding me, like, you’re doing the right thing. Because when you go from a steady income to something that’s self employed, you have doubt, like, oh, am I gonna find a job? Am I doing the right thing? And he would send the right clients that would speak life into me. And I would, like, literally be bawling afterwards, like, okay, I hear you. So I remember I had just finished school, and I had also done continuing education on courses for more advanced services that you don’t learn in esthetics school.

[00:06:30.810] – Holly Brunelle
I wanted to separate myself from the rest and a couple of the things no one was doing until the microneedling at that time. So I went to get additional certification. I was passing out resumes, but I wasn’t really getting somewhere. And then a mutual friend kept saying, you need to go talk to this person. Even if it’s just for advice. She owns her own thing, but she doesn’t have people under. Just go talk to her. So I did, and we connected, and she literally was like, hey, I can turn my kitchen into a room for you. No one’s using it. The massage therapist went to room, and it’s just, it was a three room suite that she had. And I was like, okay, so I’m not starting out, like, commission or anything. This is like room renting. This is okay. Are people gonna come? So that night we went home, and we got on Craigslist, and I had a certain budget, and my mom and I found this listing, and this lady had, like, everything. So I told my mom, okay, I’m going to take this much money. I can’t get everything. I’m going to get the important things.

[00:07:27.840] – Holly Brunelle
So my mom went with me, of course, because it’s Craigslist listing. And this woman literally was about to open her own salon and suite. And she started going through a divorce and she never opened, but she had bought everything. When I say everything down to the linens, like everything. Decorations and the decorations were the exact same theme of that spa I started at. So my mom took secret cash because she kept putting stuff aside. And we ended up walking away with probably $5,000 worth of stuff for like $800. So that’s not God. Like, it brings tears to my. So it was beautiful. I reception to work with my rent and I think it only took a month until I had clients enough to pay my rent. And growing up in Deland, everyone’s so supportive. And my friends were all excited. So I did offer a service that was so new and exciting. So I was part of that spa, and they grew. And then Covid happened. Covid. I really remember God just telling me through Covid, rest. And it’s funny because in January of that year, right before the lockdown, my word that year was rest.

[00:08:37.900] – Holly Brunelle
And I was like, rest. Okay, all right. I was very content. I room rented. I was able to be a mom, you know? And month after the lockdown, I went back and I was pretty much approached like, this working relationship has come to an end. I think it’s best that we part ways. And I just remember in that moment, really, like, relying on God. And of course I felt broken, but I just, like my close friends rallying around me, like, do your own thing. And I did go look at a few places and other spas to room rent. But then I was just like, what if I meant to do my own thing? What if I don’t want someone to be in control, if I can go to work or not? So it all aligned up. My ex husband actually knew the owner of that had a suite available on rich, the little intimate studio, one room. And I went looked at it, and next thing you know, it’s what was meant to be. And that’s scary because not only did were everyone coming out of the lockdown not wanting to be around anyone, but to start a business a month and a half after the lockdown, like, I was like, who’s going to want facial?

[00:09:50.590] – Holly Brunelle
Like, who’s going to want to? But I can tell you, my first year was my busiest year. And it was. I worked every day. I didn’t turn anyone away because why would you starting a business that within my first year, I was really able to heal and grow. And I offered something that a lot of people didn’t, that intimacy. They weren’t coming in contact with anyone. It was just me there. So that’s how I pretty much got started. And that started Purebiss and I know since I started I’ve grown, which I’m sure you’re going to want to know the story of that. That’s how pure bliss happened.

[00:10:26.550] – Deanna Hinsz
That is so crazy.

[00:10:27.540] – Deanna Hinsz
I didn’t real realize all that. So you, right out of the gate, you didn’t. You were paying rent like your own rent for your space. It wasn’t like you were commission based, which a lot of people will do the commission because it feels a little bit safer. Right. You’re not on the look for money.

[00:10:46.120] – Holly Brunelle
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yes.

[00:10:48.140] – Deanna Hinsz
And so you took that plunge right there and then tell. Let’s go back to like when you were told that, you know, let’s just go our own ways. However that conversation went, what was that first feeling that you got when that was said to you?

[00:11:06.790] – Holly Brunelle
I wasn’t expecting it more so because there was a friendship attached to that, I think. And I’ve had healing in the, you know, have had spoken to a counselor a lot. I felt a lot of shame, like rejection, like growing up, my father wasn’t able to really be the father he wanted to be. I think my stepmom wouldn’t allow him. So when you have like other trauma, you naturally, like your coping is performance based. Like, if I’m not, you know, it’s like that rejection. I believe the lie and I really took it as what. And you know what I mean? And. But there was more. It was more than just a business relationship. It hurt, but I wouldn’t be where I am and if that door wouldn’t have closed because God had a much more beautiful door open. And I’m grateful for the. My first four years at that business because I learned a lot and I learned look up to that person still, you know, for guidance and wisdom. I wouldn’t have taken that step. I was content.

[00:12:19.990] – Deanna Hinsz
Yeah.

[00:12:20.480] – Holly Brunelle
I didn’t know what I was capable of.

[00:12:22.780] – Deanna Hinsz
Yeah. No, and I love that. I love that you can find forgiveness or whatever. Whatever that was, I don’t know. Right, but you felt hurt and rejection. What a great word, right. Because anytime somebody says no for whatever the question is, we automatically do feel a little bit of rejection. So I think that’s a really good word that you use because I think that’s something we can all relate to is what that feels like. But I love that you’re like, okay, I understand, you know, that that had to happen as much as that hurt in the moment that had to happen to get me to where I am now, because I would have never, maybe not maybe, but probably not taken the step that you took when you took it.

[00:13:03.800] – Holly Brunelle
Yeah.

[00:13:04.390] – Deanna Hinsz
Oh, absolutely.

[00:13:05.770] – Holly Brunelle
But I did learn a lot. I would. I don’t think I would be doing everything I’m doing if I wasn’t, like, unaware that I was learning all that I learned from her and her growing her business while I was there, you know?

[00:13:18.980] – Deanna Hinsz
Yeah. Do you think being there contributed to the confidence of being able to take the leap? Because you could have in that moment said, okay, I’m just going to go look for another spot that I can rent from or use their space instead of saying, I’m going to go out on my own and I can do this.

[00:13:36.390] – Holly Brunelle
I feel like my mom and my husband were the ones that really pushed me to just do my own thing. I was like, I don’t know, I was so close to picking a room at a salon, but then because of that hurt and knowing, like, what if this happens again? What if they’re like, this isn’t working out. I don’t want to be in control of if I can work on my clients or not, you know?

[00:13:58.930] – Deanna Hinsz
Right.

[00:13:59.510] – Holly Brunelle
So I was like. And the price was like, it just. Everything aligned beautifully.

[00:14:07.400] – Deanna Hinsz
Yeah. So it’s like, hey, yeah, I love that happens. And just hearing you, I knew before this, but hearing you on this podcast, it’s no surprise. You have a lot of faith and you lean on God a lot. And I do as well. Even though this isn’t a christian based podcast, that’s part of my life. So I talk about my faith quite a bit.

[00:14:29.090] – Holly Brunelle
I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for my faith.

[00:14:31.670] – Deanna Hinsz
Right. And I love, like, as you’re sharing, it’s almost like in those moments, you know, that’s who’s there. And. And that brings comfort. I know for me as well, when you’re like, I’m not really sure what’s happening right now. Then you’re like, okay, God. Like, I’m giving it up to you.

[00:14:52.570] – Holly Brunelle
That’s a beautiful thing, walking through all of that and with the business, I’m like, okay, God birthed this. Yes, there’s going to be bumps along the way, but this is from God. And you know what? The enemy cannot touch it. This is birth from God. And I just have to rely on him and be like, you already know the situation, and I trust your outcome.

[00:15:12.060] – Deanna Hinsz
Yeah, yeah, I agree. I know. Even with my journey, I. My degree is in psychology. I never thought I would be in digital marketing. It was not on my radar. Did not care about it. Nothing. And or doing a podcast. Right. Well, talking has always been on my radar, but no, when I look back at everything, how it was just perfectly placed to get me where I am today, it’s like, wow. I didn’t get it in the moment, but now I get it when I see it all come together, and it’s such a cool picture, cool feeling.

[00:15:43.890] – Holly Brunelle
It is. Yeah.

[00:15:45.430] – Deanna Hinsz
So now you get started, right? You’ve taken this leap.

[00:15:48.920] – Holly Brunelle
Yeah.

[00:15:49.630] – Deanna Hinsz
You’ve got your own space. You’re doing your own thing.

[00:15:52.250] – Holly Brunelle
Beautiful. I was healing. I will say I was able to. For the first time in my life, I was 35. Yes, 35. Yeah, I’ll be 40 in December. So, yeah, I was 35, maybe 36. I don’t know. I can’t do the math right now. But anyway, for the first time, I can say I really figured out who I was authentically, because just me, I did the healing. I had these amazing moments. And people come to you for you. Like, they can go anywhere and get any service, but at the end of the day, they come to you for you, they come back for you. And just the love and support from my friends, the community. Like, I grew up here. I went to school here. Last year was my 20 year reunion for Deleanne. Like, you know, that hometown feel like, I love our community. I was involved in JSL, and now I’m in rotary, you know, like, I love community involvement, so I really feel like that having that community has helped and supported, but I’ve always been one that’s like, I love empowering people. So while I was there, my first year, literally working seven days a week, I knew two girls that had just finished esthetician school.

[00:17:05.400] – Holly Brunelle
I knew them personally. No one’s hiring, let alone if you don’t have experience. So they were like, can you, like, can we mentor you? And I was like, well, I really like offering the intimacy I have. And, you know, yes, things are kind of getting back to normal. It’s almost been a year. People are not really wearing masks as much. But how about this? I can’t keep working seven days a week. What if I give you each a day and that be your day to bring in friends and family practice or start taking clients? So that way you can then say you have experience and then go elsewhere. So that worked great until they needed more than just the day. So then I remember, I was like, okay, gone. And my mom told me that she’s. When I saw that speech, she’s like, shouldn’t you get something bigger. I’m like, what? She’s like, yeah. I’m like, no, I’m worried about me having enough clients. No, I’m not worrying about anymore. So it’s funny, because I was like, okay, if it’s meant to happen and we’re meant to take this next step together, it will all happen.

[00:18:03.130] – Holly Brunelle
So I found a sublet for my space, and I prayed about it. And I actually had someone in my chair that opened a very well known spa in town. And she has sold it a few times, and she actually owns it again. A great source. Oh, my gosh, I love her so much wisdom. Well, she’s in my chair. And I was like, you know where I’m drawn to that. I would love if I could pick a bigger space. And it was where I started, and it was because it’s a strip of, like, sweets. And I know my landlord. I would just go with his daughter. She’s like, call him. Call him right now. And I’m like, I call him. Leave a message. Well, sure enough, you call me back. He’s like, hey, I have something opening next month. I was like, oh. He’s like, yeah. I’m like, okay. So one of my prayer warrior friends is a massage therapist, and she does, like, inner healing. Like, really? I will say, like, she’s been a big key part of my journey and my growth. And so we prayed, and I was like, you know, really nervous about tomorrow.

[00:19:01.740] – Holly Brunelle
And I was like, the only way it could work if it was this number, because I know these girls are gonna be starting out, so I’m not gonna put the pressure on them. Like, they can help out behind the scenes, but I’m not expecting them to pay room rent right away. Like, I wanna be able to help them. And so I was like, but this number, I can do this number a month. And I had a friend go with me just because I didn’t wanna be blown away. I needed someone to look at everything and help me, like, bring it in. Like, this is how much it’s probably going to cost to do in the space. So we looked at it, and there was a lot of work that needed done. But the number he told me was that number.

[00:19:41.360] – Deanna Hinsz
Are you kidding me?

[00:19:42.870] – Holly Brunelle
That number. And 30 was the last part of the number. It was like a certain amount with dollar 30. And when I told my friend, I was like, you wouldn’t believe it. She’s like, 30. Do you know what 30 represents? And she was going all about like, what 30 represents in the Bible? And Jesus was 30 and all this stuff. And I was like, oh, my gosh. So it just, like, all aligned. And so three years I had been in this location. Last year, I actually expanded and took on the unit next to us. Oh, so now we have the two units and there are currently ten of us. But what I really did, besides just more so having the spa, is when we expanded, I wanted to bring on other things and people that had their businesses. So the massage therapist that I have known, I am blessed that she’s part of this collaboration. We have spray tanning, permanent makeup, like, just a lot. And what I want the girls to do is I’ve encouraged them all to have their own logo. I want them to have their own social media presence. It’s a collaboration, but they.

[00:20:51.520] – Holly Brunelle
I want them to have their own following. One thing I learned is I didn’t have my own following. I didn’t have my own social media for my esthetician. So when I had to open pure bliss, I had to start over. So I’m encouraging them not think they’re going to leave. I hope they don’t. But I want you to be who you are. Have a business, have a logo. You know, like when you post, just collaborate and it will post on both pages. You know what I mean? I just love what we have birthed and what we’ve grown and the people that are here. And there’s been a few people that have had to come and go, whether it’s been distance or, you know, this didn’t work out. But that’s a beautiful thing about life. And especially, you know, our stories, like our life, we have a story and our business, we have a story. Some people are a page, some people are a chapter, and some people are a part of our whole story. So I really learned that.

[00:21:43.400] – Deanna Hinsz
I love that you allow them to do that. You don’t hear that often because usually if they’re working for a spa, a salon, whatever, they have to go under that particular branding and they don’t get the freedom to represent themselves. And I think that comes out of a fear, a fear and a mindset of scarcity. Like, they’re going to leave. They’re going to take something from me. So I love that you’re like, listen, there’s. There’s enough. There’s abundance, there’s enough for everybody. Build your business while you’re here, and hopefully you stay here for good. Right. But if it’s not the right fit, I get it. Like, if you’ve got a fly.

[00:22:18.850] – Holly Brunelle
Fly, yeah, absolutely. You know, I think being on the other side really showed me that because I was so good about posting for that other business that, you know, I had to, like, really come out of my shell and then I had to start over. So I love, I want them all to have their own business account. And a lot of them were like, oh, I don’t need to make a logo. I’m like, no, let me help you design a logo. You need a logo. So there’s a sign under the purple sign at our front door, and it has everyone’s logos. I want them to be represented. You know what I mean? I want to empower them to feel encouraged. Like they inside purple bliss have their own, like, little business. They room rent. Now, the estheticians kind of fall under the purple umbrella, but at the end of the day, they are their own person.

[00:23:03.110] – Deanna Hinsz
Right? I love it, I love it, I love it. So everything sounds like it just falls into place. But I know that there’s moments. I would be shocked if you tell me there’s not moments when you’re just not sure where doubt is creeping in, when you’re like, what am I doing? Right? Whatever scenario, tell me you have those moments, right.

[00:23:25.510] – Holly Brunelle
Oh, absolutely. Yeah. This I will say. Like, you know how a lot of people say they have a prayer room? I used to have one, but Vice Paul is my prayer room. I get here before anyone in the morning, I pray. I lay hands on everyone’s door. There are moments, and, you know, there have been two people that had to leave that one, it was the distance, and the other one just, you know, she had a lot of other things going on, but they worked out beautifully. And I wouldn’t lie if I didn’t say, like, you know, ten women, like, come on. But we all, like, have such great personalities, and I don’t know what the future holds. Like, I be lying if I didn’t think that there was going to be maybe some upcoming changes happening.

[00:24:07.730] – Deanna Hinsz
Oh, okay. All right. Keep us on the hook there. A little suspense to pay attention to what’s happening. So how do you push through those moments you talked about? You come in early. Is that what you do when you are having that uncertainty, or do you do that all the time?

[00:24:24.380] – Holly Brunelle
Oh, no, I do that every morning. I feel like, oh, I’m very, like. I wouldn’t say I’m OCD, but very routine.

[00:24:31.830] – Deanna Hinsz
Okay.

[00:24:32.180] – Holly Brunelle
So I feel like my days are not good if I do not have my time to pray in the morning. So, summer, my schedule is a little off because I wasn’t rushing in after I take the kids to school. But I really do like having that time here. Having the worship music playing throughout the spa, praying, having my quiet time, no distraction. It is so crazy in the mornings, getting my kids up out the door. You know, they say something wrong, you react to them, and then your whole morning’s the best. I like to just come here and just relax. And I really do feel like, you know, this place has been anointed. It’s been prayed over. A lot of things have. Conversations have been had here. Like, I cry with my clients. They cry with me. Like, it’s. It’s just where I feel good. Don’t. I mean, I can pray at home and feel peace, but I really feel like business is part of my ministry. I’m drawn to women. And, um. Yeah, I feel like when I. Even if it’s something in life, coming here and just having. Even if I shut my door to my spa and just having my time, like, I just.

[00:25:36.590] – Holly Brunelle
I feel the weight being lifted.

[00:25:38.930] – Deanna Hinsz
That’s great. Very cool. I mean, there’s so many spas around, right? And you know that. You’ve mentioned a few already, and you’re friends with them and you respect them and, like, theme. That’s a lot of competition, right? And I’m sure all areas can feel the same thing if they have a spa. Like, there’s. Spas are all over the place. What do you think has contributed to your success?

[00:26:06.130] – Holly Brunelle
You know, I’m not as good as I was, but being authentic and just being real. I used to do live videos all the time. I would do a lot of giveaways. I wanted to give back. I remember my first month, and it’s funny, it’s been on my memories because I opened my business in July, and so here, my memories. A month after my grand opening, I did a big giveaway of my first year. And I remember I was just so vulnerable. And looking back, I missed that. Me. I miss. You know, how, like, in your hardest moments, you feel your strongest in your faith?

[00:26:38.610] – Deanna Hinsz
Yes.

[00:26:42.070] – Holly Brunelle
Am I still as strong as I was then? I just look at myself, and I’m proud of the growth, but I’m like, man, maybe I need to get back to doing that. But I feel like my clients have watched me grown, but I think just them seeing the real me. I wasn’t trying to be someone I wasn’t. They saw me learning. They saw me growing. I’m all about giving back. I. And now I’m trying to encourage my girl. Everyone knows who I am. I want them to see them. So I’m trying to encourage them. I can’t always be the one posting. Let people start seeing you. I can help you. Let’s do a video, you know, let’s do a funny little reel just so they can see us being silly. But, um, yeah, I feel like that’s what really separated me. But at the end of the day, just like hair salons, there’s so many, right?

[00:27:33.770] – Deanna Hinsz
There’s a lot.

[00:27:34.250] – Holly Brunelle
People come back for you. People come back for you. And I. I used to cringe when you would see a notification on Facebook looking for recommendations, and one person recommended you, and then you’re like, okay, is anyone else going to recommend me? I love when. Because now I’m just like, I can just reply and be like, thank you so much for the recommendations. And I’m honest, every place recommended above are great. I hope you find the right fit for you. Right end of the day, that’s what matters, is finding the right fit for them.

[00:28:08.220] – Deanna Hinsz
Yeah, that’s. I love that you do that. That’s really nice because I gotten tagged in all those, too read things and, yeah, I know that feeling you’re talking about is like, oh, you know, and there’s so much competition and what I do as well, it’s like, okay. And they are great. It’s like, there are a lot of choices. You have to find the one that’s right for you.

[00:28:28.800] – Holly Brunelle
Yes. More about collaboration over competition.

[00:28:33.070] – Deanna Hinsz
Yes, 100%. I buy into that. So if somebody is listening and they’re thinking about starting their own business, right. And let’s just say they want to take the same route that you’re doing, but they’re not sure. They’re a little bit nervous. What advice would you give them?

[00:28:50.430] – Holly Brunelle
Well, if you have faith, definitely pray about it. Honestly, I feel like it’s better just to do it and to try because you don’t want to look back and wonder, especially if everything is aligning. You might be like, whoa, this is. No, but step through the door. Do it, and don’t be scared to reach out to people for advice. You know what I mean?

[00:29:13.270] – Deanna Hinsz
Right? That was a big mistake of mine.

[00:29:16.070] – Holly Brunelle
Yes. I love when people are like, hey, can I come shadow you? Hey. Because I would love for them to get the knowledge before going through it and be like, oh, this isn’t what I wanted.

[00:29:25.340] – Deanna Hinsz
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I felt like I had to always have all the answers in the beginning. I’m like, okay, I can’t show that I don’t know something. Right. Because then it’s gonna make me look weak or not as good as the competition. And I was so afraid of that. So it was like, okay, I’ll figure it out. I’ll do it. I’ll figure it out. But not anymore. I’m like, okay, now I know more, but I’m still like, now I’m willing to say that, okay, I’ll reach out to somebody that I know is really skilled in that, and I’ll ask them those questions. So if you could change something or if you could do it all over again, is there anything you would do differently?

[00:30:05.760] – Holly Brunelle
Honestly, I feel like I don’t regret how things have ever happened, because you have to go through things. There’s always going to be ups. There’s always going to be downs. But I feel like I would go back and tell myself in that moment that it’s all going to work out. And I think I’m finally at that place now. Whenever there’s a hiccup, like, God’s already got this, I have peace. But, like, don’t stress over it. This is from God. This business is from him. Look at what all he’s already done. You know what I mean? I feel like sometimes we can just let it really consume us in the hard moment. And honestly, also, I would have let myself praise myself a little bit more in the beginning. I feel like I really didn’t sit back and really be like, wow, I own my own business till probably my second year in.

[00:31:00.810] – Deanna Hinsz
Really?

[00:31:01.790] – Holly Brunelle
Like, I didn’t give myself that. Like, not, like, I don’t know if that makes sense, but I just had this aha. Moment. Like, I did this. You know what I mean?

[00:31:12.200] – Deanna Hinsz
I do. I get it.

[00:31:14.030] – Holly Brunelle
I should maybe have encouraged myself more. I’ve been like, look what you did. You know? I don’t feel like when we give ourself enough credit, so there’s things I would probably try, like, affirmations I would have worked on with myself to encourage.

[00:31:29.950] – Deanna Hinsz
Yeah, I feel that I do. I know people when they would say something to me, like, oh, my gosh. Like, I’ve been watching you. You’re so successful. You’re, like, killing it. And I’m like, I am like, what am I doing? I’m just in the grind. Like, you know, it’s like, why? Like, it’s like, you just don’t see yourself in that way because you’re just. You’re trying. You’re running a business. You’re trying to stay alive, right? You’re, like, in the grind. You’re like, oh, wait, what’s going on around me? What do you see, that’s so awesome. Holly, thank you so much for coming on. I love this conversation. We’ve never had to get. We haven’t gotten coffee together, so this is kind of like our coffee chat. Yes, but we need to get together and get coffee, though.

[00:32:12.360] – Holly Brunelle
Thank you for having me on here.

[00:32:14.260] – Deanna Hinsz
You are so welcome. You’re so welcome. And everybody, if you’re following or I’m going to have all the links actually, so you can follow. Follow Holly and pure bliss. They’re all going to be on the show notes, so just scroll down. Whether you’re watching this on YouTube or listening on Spotify, or if you’re on my website reading it on the blog, you just scroll and all of her links are right there. So Holly, thank you again. This has been wonderful.

[00:32:41.370] – Holly Brunelle
Thank you so much for having me.

[00:32:43.990] – Deanna Hinsz
Absolutely welcome.

[00:32:45.160] – Holly Brunelle
Thank you, everybody.

[00:32:47.750] – Deanna Hinsz
Bye. Thank you for joining me today on today’s episode of She Is Unstoppable. I hope the tools and tips shared by today’s guests inspired you to take your business and leadership skills to the next level. A big thank you to carbon silk for sponsoring today’s empowering session. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to keep up with all the latest strategies and stories. If you found today’s episode valuable, please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Your feedback not only supports our growth, but also helps others find us. Stay connected with us on Instagram, either Deannahens or we are. She is collective for daily inspiration and additional resources. Tune in next time for more insights that will help you grow and lead with confidence. Thank you for listening and thank you again to carbon silk for your support. Keep striving and stay unstoppable.