#49 How Annie grew her business while working less w Annie Lewis

Work less and make more? It can be your reality and in this episode I'm diving into how exactly Annie did it, she's giving you all the tea on how you can do it too and how to navigate troubles when your life is going *so* well! 
Follow Annie here: https://annieaestheticsco.com/

Share your takeaways from the podcast in our Facebook group! Join here: https://awakenthefemininewithin.com/social-links

Transcript

Miriam (00:00.804)
Welcome to today's episode of Awaken the Feminine Within. I have an amazing guest with me today. Her name is Annie Lewis and she is located here in Madison, Wisconsin, which is not, you know, if you don't live here, that's totally fine, but she is well worth a visit if you need skincare services because she's amazing. So we're just gonna start off with that right off the bat. But Annie, I'm gonna have you introduce yourself, tell the audience a little bit about who you are, what it is that you do, and we're gonna jump in from there.

Annie Lewis (00:30.734)
Yeah, perfect. I'm happy to be here. Thanks for having me. So I'm Annie. I live here in Madison. I am about to be celebrating two years in business on my own, which is very exciting. I am a licensed esthetician, so I do a lot of skin treatments, some brows, lashes, waxing, all those beauty self -care services. I'm very passionate about that. I went to Aveda Institute Madison here in Madison.

I graduated almost five years ago, which is insane. And prior to that, I was a beauty executive for a corporation and did a lot of training and coaching for about 65 stores. So I've always had this passion for women and business and especially the beauty industry. So now that I'm in the industry and kind of running my own thing, I never thought that I would be here, but hey, I kind of fell where I was supposed to be. So yeah.

Miriam (01:24.452)
I love that so much. Okay, so let's talk about what it's been like as a woman in business because from my experience, it's very easy when you start a business, number one, to get overwhelmed. And then number two, to be, you go from like overwhelmed to chaos to kind of frustration. And then it feels like you're juggling these like 18, you know, different things that you have to balance because you're like, oh, you know, do I have enough money to hire? Where am I at? Where am I growing? And then it's, it's just a hot jumbled mess.

What has been your experience so far like running your business?

Annie Lewis (01:58.958)
Yeah, as I shared, I never thought that I would be doing this. If you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was like pediatric surgeon, nurse. I think I watched too much Grey's Anatomy, but I never thought that I would be doing this. And so I think my journey really was born out of chaos. I was working two jobs as an esthetician, and then the pandemic happened, which is crazy.

Obviously we're licensed in safety and sanitation. So like I sat home for nine weeks because it wasn't safe to practice on people. So that was the beginning of my career as an esthetician. So that was chaotic. And then I decided to go back to school at UW. So I was balancing, you know, building a clientele and working as an employee in aesthetics and going to school at UW when I decided to open my own business.

So that was nuts right away. I don't know how it works for everybody else, but I think everything for me is just born out of chaos. And it was fitting. I was taking 10 credits. I was working probably about 30 hours a week fully booked. I developed plantar fasciitis. And I was the happiest I've ever been because I think I was just running on straight cortisol and a vision that I was just pumped about. And so that's kind of how my business started. And.

You know, the week before I opened, I had this, that was the only time I ever felt like the fear, you know? It was the first time that I felt like, oh my God, like, what if this doesn't work? Like, what if this isn't gonna be what I want it to be? And that's kind of when I first realized that nothing really ever is what it's supposed to be or what we think it's gonna be. And you kind of just have to take it day by day. And...

As much as I do plan for my business and I'm learning a lot of how to plan ahead and that's, you know, I'll circle back on that because that's really been the biggest thing. I've kept that lesson with me this entire time because like you have to roll with the punches with life, but especially when you're running a business, you have to roll with the punches. Like every day looks different. And right now my business is just me. So I'm.

Annie Lewis (04:00.174)
not only the practitioner doing all the services, I'm also the front desk coordinator, I'm the scheduler, I'm the checkout person. I'm relatively the one doing the laundry, cleaning the studio, and doing all the marketing, doing all the social media and things like that. So I'm a one woman show and that can be a lot. So it's definitely just been kind of like a juggling act. And rolling with those punches is really important, I think. So that was my lesson epiphany right away.

And it's just been something that I've had to kind of stick with for the last two years. Yeah.

Miriam (04:34.148)
Yeah. Do you feel like something prompted you along the way that was like, uh, do, should I keep running at this pace or should I change things?

Annie Lewis (04:44.782)
Yeah, I would say I started operating from chaos, kind of like I said. And I got busier than I thought I ever would, which is amazing. And I've been so grateful for that. I love the relationships I have with my clients. My client community is just like my family. And so I love expanding that. I love bringing more people into that. But there was kind of this moment about maybe a year in, maybe a little bit before that.

where I kind of looked at myself and thought, what are you doing? You're a good swimmer, babe, but you're kind of drowning here. It kind of got overwhelming. And I didn't really realize that I was taking on more than I should, because that's not, those aren't words in my vocabulary, or they weren't, right? Like that was not something, I have a very strong work ethic. I come from a family of strong women who have strong work ethics. And so, like drowning.

wasn't something that we did. We just kind of were busy and we made it through. But there was this point where it was like, I was on this cycle of burnout where it was, you know, every five, six weeks I'm getting really sick or I'm getting like super depressed. You know, that mental health factor was so huge for me. And it was popping up all the time. And I didn't really, you know, even realize that was happening. But that was a moment for me where I realized, you know, you can't keep going at this pace because you're not going to be able to do this at all.

That was a big wake up call for sure.

Miriam (06:12.42)
Yeah, that would be really tough. And I've experienced something similar, you know, in the past as well, where it's like, oh my gosh, you know, you feel like you're sprinting in a marathon and you're like, wait, if the marathon is however long I'm running my business, then how the hell am I supposed to keep up this pace? And your body is like screaming at you.

Annie Lewis (06:30.2)
Yeah, yeah.

Annie Lewis (06:35.534)
Definitely. And that for me was, I think, when I found you. And that was really helpful, right? Because then I kind of reached out to you and was like, I am so inspired by you. I see all your content. Do I want to do a podcast? Instead of even knowing what I wanted, I was just inspired by you, called to you. And in my head, I was still trying to sprint at that.

8 ,000 miles an hour pace. And it wasn't until you and I had that that consult call, right, where you were like, so like, why are we talking? Like, what are we gonna do here? I'm like, I don't know. Like, you tell me. And it wasn't until you said the word like coaching, I was like, oh my gosh, ding, ding, ding. Like, I need that. I need somebody to kind of like help me navigate this. Like, how do I, you know, continue to grow, but also not to have these like total breakdowns every.

five, six weeks. Like how can I continue to run my business, make my business more of what I want it to be and also have it be something that serves me as a person, right? And I think that's what's really hard as like a solo female business owner is balancing that work life balance when your work is such an integral part of your life, you know, and I would just got like so wrapped up in that. And so yeah, I think that turning point for me was that.

final burnout and then finding you and then you know through coaching being able to make some of those changes that was that's I saved my business I think.

Miriam (08:08.9)
Well, that's really incredible to hear because I was just looking at the date and I'm like, oh, it's been like, you know, the last eight weeks, I feel like since, you know, right before Christmas was, has been really, I mean, from my perspective, from the outside looking in, you feel like, I feel like you're so relaxed and you're just like, oh my gosh, everything is going amazing and blah, blah, blah, you know? And it's so beautiful to see because, you know, as a business owner who,

Annie Lewis (08:26.158)
Yes.

Miriam (08:33.988)
you know, as we've already described for the listeners, like it can be very overwhelming. And especially when you have to call all the shots and do all the admin and the check -in and the, you know, the actual service itself, and then the follow -up and then the paperwork and then the taxes and like everything, it's just, you know, there's a lot of back end work and it can be very, very overwhelming to the point where you feel like you're, you're drowning. And so to be able to live in that space where you are totally,

and completely relaxed and are just like, oh yeah, like everything is going fine. And I don't want to take words out of your mouth or like describe for the audience exactly how it's been for you. But I think it would be helpful for them to see like, how would you describe what your life is like right now? And what do you feel like are the biggest changes in the last like, you know, seven, six months that we've kind of been working together?

Annie Lewis (09:31.374)
Yeah, my gosh, how much time do we have? But yeah, I mean, like I have, I've always said this, like when you do the work, it pays off. And holy shit, like I was not prepared, even though I said that, right? And was a big believer in that. Like I wasn't prepared for the amount of work that I was really gonna do, right? When we started working together, because I felt like I didn't really understand why.

Miriam (09:34.552)
Yeah.

Annie Lewis (09:58.222)
I found you and what I needed until we started working together. And I think, you know, you really called it out. Like December was maybe what, like two months into coaching. Um, and that was like the point, right? That was the point where it was like, I was in that cycle of like, I was really depressed. I was really anxious. I was really stressed out. I was feeling really lost and I didn't know what to do about that. Right. And, you know, we worked together on that. Then we jumped into my human design. And I think,

All of those experiences were really what I needed to go through because this has really made me solidify the knowledge. I already know this, like I'm a cancer, right? So I'm super emotional, I always have been, but this whole experience has made me realize like I should lean into that. Like I'm an emotional person, I care so deeply. Like I need to acknowledge my feelings. I need to work through my feelings. Otherwise my feelings are just gonna sit on my conscience all the time.

and make me feel this anxiety and depression and shame and guilt and all these terrible things that I don't need to feel. I don't need to feel that way. I need to get through my emotions. And so really, December was that epitome, that moment, two months into coaching where I was like, OK, I know the changes I want to make in my business. And I know why I want to make them. That's going to be better for my clients. It's going to be better for me living my purpose and cutting out some services because I really want to focus on the other ones. That's.

gives me time and money to invest in the services I really want to do. And you know, it was funny because I needed you to talk me through that. But when I think about it, like that would be something that would be so easy for me to talk to another esthetician about. Like, yeah, do it. Like, you need this. And that's when I also realized, like, I also need to talk to myself like I love myself, like I care about myself. And so I think, you know,

December, like I said, was that time where things changed. I finally just got my head around, OK, just make the changes. You're in control. Just do it. And oh my gosh, I stopped working 9, 10, 12 hour days. I stopped seeing 13 people every day because I realized energetically that was not serving me. That's why I was burning out. I would burn out, stay home, sleep, get better.

Annie Lewis (12:17.23)
go right back into those long ass days, give myself away so freely to so many people. And then after three, four, five weeks, it was like, oh my God, I need to spend another week in bed. My body would get super sick. I'm diabetic. My blood sugar would just be all over the place. I have all these medical issues that would flare up. And it really wasn't until December when I had that total emotional breakdown that I realized, you're doing this to yourself.

And if you don't start making these changes, this is going to be your life. And that's not what I wanted. So I think now, even two months out from that, I am in a way better place. And the things I've changed in my business, I've changed how people book with me. I have way more control over my schedule. I'm able to maximize my time in the treatment room so that I'm seeing as many people as possible within the limits that I've set for myself.

I'm not seeing over seven people a day. It's normally only about five. So I'm really able to cultivate those relationships that are super important to me. I'm doing more of the services that I want to be doing, that I'm passionate about, which ultimately strengthens my business. That's my zone of genius, and I'm giving it more light, more time on the stage. And so that really strengthens my business. And I'm making more money. So it's, you know.

As much as it's not about the money, like we don't really go to work to not make money. I have bills to pay, you know, greed, inflation, right? But yeah, I think like now looking back, it's just crazy to me where I'm at, but like, did I, I mean, I put the fucking work in, you know, like I did the work in Here We Are. It's just been, I feel like it's been a complete 180, you know? And I'm not saying that like I don't have the issues pop up because they definitely do, right? But I feel like I have a way better framework.

to deal with it. I know what to do and in the moment I can just pivot. And I'm getting so much better at just acknowledging like, okay, great, that's a feeling. I feel it. Why do I feel this way? Great, bye. You know, I don't need that anymore. Or great, here's what I'm gonna do about it. I've gotten so much better just acknowledging who I am as a person and honestly loving myself because of that. And so I've been like, wow, I hate you. You make this so difficult for me, right? It's like, I love you. It's okay. Let's get through this. You're good. Yeah.

Miriam (14:35.268)
So it sounds like over the course then of time by, you know, really discovering you and choosing you and finding out, you know, well, not finding out necessarily, but letting go of what you thought business was supposed to look like and creating your own way of running your own business, which inherently is choosing and prioritizing your own needs instead of that of your business, your business grew.

which is a very non, like if you look at that equation on paper, it really doesn't make sense because, you know, the entrepreneurship world is like, oh, well, if you, you know, if you put in more hours, then you're going to equate more money. But on your end, you were like, no, I just need to prioritize me, which in turn allows me to prioritize my clients in the way that makes sense for me. And then that's how the business grew.

So I love that because it's so contrary to just like whatever everybody, you know, everyone who's in business is going to, you know, think and understand. But I love how you've not only been like, yeah, my business is doing so much better, but also you're like, oh, crisis, cool. We can hold space for her and also hold space for girls at the same time. And it's not like, you know,

like falling into a pit and then taking like two or three weeks to get out of.

Annie Lewis (16:00.366)
Yeah, the train doesn't completely derail. Yeah, I love what you said about the paperwork thing because as you know, I'm planning this business expansion and I've been working with the Small Business Development Center and it's been great and really trying to flex that entrepreneurship muscle. And what I'm really struggling with is the business plan template. And you have to go through that for the bank and everything like that. But I am struggling so much with like,

Miriam (16:04.42)
Right, exactly. How do you?

Annie Lewis (16:30.382)
I don't know how to put this on paper, right? Like, I feel like I've embraced like the feeling and the essence and the heart of who I am and what my business is and this vision I have for what I want it to be. And it's like so difficult. Like, how do I put that on paper? Like, how do I fit in this box? So I find that really interesting because, you know, I was breaking that cycle. And now, you know, society and things how processes work, like you still kind of have to do that. And it's difficult. Yeah.

Miriam (16:56.932)
Oh, absolutely. It's a fine line of, I mean, this is, you know, where that human design stuff comes in because it's like, okay, where do I sit with myself? How do I prioritize myself? And then also kind of using your gut and your intuition as a filtration system and be like, okay, is this helpful for me? Yes, no. Is this helpful for me? Yes, no. And then, you know, kind of gently like, you know, conversing that and kind of expressing like, you know, within the...

within the realm of the help that you're getting because it's very like, you know, the business world has been, you know, a man's world for eternity. And it's still very much set up in that way to be like, okay, yeah, like this is a very mathematical equation and one plus one equals two. And then if you have these numbers, you should get X result. And it's like, okay, well, that's great. Except it really, you know, for women are not called to necessarily follow that path. And it breaks all the barriers and it doesn't make any sense to anybody else. And it can be very hard to communicate that.

Um, and so it's a delicate balance, but the beautiful thing about that process is that you're able to trust your own gut and you're able to rely on it. And you're like, okay, well, I know I'm not crazy because I see, I have the proof and the, the proof is in the pudding, right? Like you have the proof that what the process that you follow in terms of like listening to your intuition and listening to yourself works. And it does get you the growth and the results that you're looking for. So having that confidence and that ability to trust yourself.

Annie Lewis (18:05.39)
Yeah.

Miriam (18:23.98)
I can only imagine is what's carrying you through, you know, communicating with, you know, other people in terms of helping your business expansion, right?

Annie Lewis (18:32.014)
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, you're right. I mean, it's definitely been like a lot of like leaning into the feminine energy despite like the masculine energy that's in this like business plan template for sure. For sure.

Miriam (18:35.696)
Thank you.

Miriam (18:45.508)
Yeah, absolutely. Do you feel like it's weird working less and having the like and seeing and getting more from your work? Because I mean, the business expansion is a result of you working less and you prioritizing your calendar or prioritizing your calendar in a way that serves you. Do you feel like it was really weird experiencing that on a physical level? Because I feel like in most cases, women are going to be like, oh,

I don't deserve this because I'm not putting in the work or I'm not doing, you know, the work. It's kind of like getting an assignment from your teacher and then getting like a hundred and you haven't even necessarily, you've put in 50%. Right. And they are like, oh, I got a hundred. Sweet. Right. Like that, you know, was there like a weird transition when you started experiencing that? Like was your, were you resistant to it at all?

Annie Lewis (19:42.894)
Yeah, definitely. I think, yeah, there's so many factors that go into that, but definitely I experienced that. Like as I shared, the women in my family were hard workers, and my mom is still a hard worker to this day. And like I've been working since I was 14. At multiple times in my life, I had two, three jobs while going to school. I mean like that stacked on stacked on stacked of like hustle culture and like I'm doing this.

I think really embeds itself in I have to show that I can do this. I have to prove something. And so not doing that was weird. It was like I'm learning that I have nothing to prove except that I don't have to kill myself for work. I don't have to lay my head on a guillotine and be like, OK, now I can be successful because I'm such a martyr for my business. Right?

It was really diving into those emotions that was kind of uncomfortable and unlearning those patterns, right? But I mean, if you think about it, women have had to do that for years. You know, we have to fight for everything that we have, like the right to vote, you know, like having a credit card and things like that. And so I have to remind myself often that it isn't just my experience, because even though my experience is what I'm living, like this is like a whole system that we live in.

So sometimes I have to recognize that these feelings that I have when I'm freaking out about these changes or unlearning some things are not working so much, I have to remember I'm one cog in this giant system that's operating to make me feel this way. Because if I'm not producing, people aren't consuming X, Y, and Z. And so really stepping outside of that, it can be very uncomfortable. I experienced that for sure. When I sat down to figure out like,

You know, what's my ideal day? What's my ideal week? Like, I didn't even know how to do that. Like, I had a list. That didn't work. I printed off a calendar. Like, that didn't work. And finally, I ended up just like coloring in blocks. Like, this is what I want my life to look like. And the blocks were like, I went from like 12 colors to three. And like, I had to just like go through this whole big process of like, I have no idea. Like, what would I do with all this free time? Like, I don't know. What do I like to do for fun?

Annie Lewis (22:08.43)
I don't know. And so that was really uncomfortable. But on the flip side of that, when I just started with like, OK, three blocks, this is like sleep, work, not working. And when I finally got myself to thinking that way, I feel like this veil lifted off my eyes. It was like, oh my god, I could just go for a walk right now. I had flexibility within the structure.

And that was really for me, like I didn't want to be so structured, but I was because I was spending most of my time working. So it's like, how about you cut that in half and then you have all this other time to really dive into like, who are you? What do you want to do? And that was weird because like I said, I've always kind of just like, I've overworked myself my entire life. So there was a lot of uncomfortability with that, being able to just have this like free time or, you know.

things to do for myself, even though I was making more money. Like it just, yeah, it was like, so if I take care of myself truly, the rest of it has come. So like, I should just keep taking care of myself. And that was a total like mind shift for sure. A mind fuck kind of actually.

Miriam (23:22.02)
Well, yeah, because it's like, oh, I have time, and I should have this time. And so leaning into that self worth is probably I can only imagine, you know, and I think we talked a little bit about this. But it but I think your it sounds like that's what your body was craving, especially, you know, if you think about it from the previous standpoint of like getting sick routinely, etc, etc. You know, it is.

it sounds like that's what your body was craving. And it was like, oh my gosh, finally, like now we're not going 24 seven, you know, like a hamster wheel and we can actually catch our breath before going back into the studio. Do you, or not the studio, but your office, do you feel like it's had an impact at all? Like on your personal life and your relationships, like having more time and not necessarily being at work like so often.

Annie Lewis (24:15.534)
Yeah, definitely. Lately I've been hearing things like, wow, you're so calm. Or like, wow, you're being really mature about this. And it's just like, yeah, I've had this giant switch. And I do struggle playing chill. I don't do that. Like I said, I'm emotional. I don't like the frilly, like, hey, how's it going? Oh my god, good. No, I don't have time for that. When people ask me how I'm doing, I go right into it.

You know, really good. Here's what I've been, you know, working on, blah, blah, X, Y, and Z. I'm growing so much, blah, blah, blah. But yeah, there's just been so much of that, like, you know, you seem really relaxed kind of a thing, or like, my gosh, you know, I had a really close friend the other day, like, Ash, I can't even tell you how proud I am of you, like, from where you were, like 25 to 30, like, total switch, total, like, game changer for you. And I think too, like,

I've been really picky about my time, right? Because it takes a lot of effort to make all these switches. But then once I put the effort into making these switches, I was like, wow, I can keep putting effort into myself, though, because look at all the great things that have happened. And so I would say recently, my relationships have been impacted. I've heard those things from people, which has been kind of nice and validating. But it is kind of crazy, because the more I feel like I'm growing,

The more I feel like I'm becoming more successful in this energy work as well as in business, I do feel like there's a little bit of isolation that comes with that. And that's tricky. That's tricky for me because I feel like I am such a social creature. I just love those interactions. But even more so, I've learned that I need that alone time. And so there's this difficult balance where, yes, I would say the people who know me would say that there's a huge difference in how I am now.

especially energetically. And then for me, I'm sitting here going like, wow, like this journey kind of is a little bit lonely. And that's okay. Like I've been leaning into that because I don't need anybody else to understand me. I need to understand me because I know at the end of the day, like I'm going to have my back. I'm going to catch myself. And if I don't catch myself, the universe probably will. So it's okay. Um,

Annie Lewis (26:33.262)
But yeah, that's kind of been like, you know, with those relationship pieces, it's a little isolating when, you know, like you're doing all this work and great things are happening. It's like in that little conversation of like, how's it going? Like, I have no idea how to give you like an elevator pitch of all the things that I've just gone through. Like it's insane. So yeah, I don't know. It's a little funky, but I'm honestly okay with it. It's fine.

Miriam (26:59.876)
Yeah, I think I did a podcast with that with somebody else a little while ago about the loneliness that comes with personal development and like up leveling yourself because now you're at a point where you're like, oh, you know, as much as I love the social buzz and the dopamine that you get from being around other people and the social activity and everything, it's like to be around other people who can't necessarily resonate with you and where you're at in life and are even discussing things that are just so not.

what you're into is so draining. And so then you have this weird dichotomy of like, okay, but I really like all the other aspects that come with socializing, but also it's a drain and like what really serves me and like, oh shoot, like how do I fill or replace this time in my life if I'm going to stop socializing with something that doesn't make me feel or emphasize, right? Like loneliness and things like that. And it's really interesting. I saw a TikTok the other day about, um,

you know, just overall, like it was it was a discussion about burnout and just what women experience over time. And, you know, the struggles of the pressure of everything in today's society and like PCOS and autoimmune disease and like whatever it was, it was that whole tie in. And I had this really weird realization because I thought, you know what I feel like for me, what has healed me the most has been not socializing and not in a way that's like, you know, and I'm

different than you. Like I don't get necessarily like a high from socializing or hanging out with other people. I do enjoy it, but it's very much like I would classify myself as an introvert. However, I realized that because I had to be social for my business and I had to go out all the time and network and everything and do the things that a lot of business owners have to do when they start up and make connections and build their network and all that good stuff.

And I realized that by choosing to just focus on me has been so healing and like the health aspect of my life. And that in some ways, by kind of leaning into something that society was telling me like, oh, well, this is something you should do. And this is an area of your life that you should have and it should be fun and it should be enjoyable really was like nails on a chalkboard for me energetically. And it wasn't until I actually recognized that that.

Miriam (29:18.436)
I feel like, holy crap, my nervous system was like, oh my gosh, I can finally, like, she has a chance to breathe and we can calm down now. And, but I did go through that where it's like, wow, this is really lonely because yes, my body is very pleased, like with this result and being able to chill and have downtime and all this stuff. It's very much like I don't have that social, you know, any of those social activities to uplift me or to just get outside of my own head and have a sounding board and have, you know,

And I think that's the hardest part about transitioning into a life that really serves you is also finding the people that can be approving of that and are not jealous of what you have and or frustrated because you don't find gossiping as thrilling as you used to. Right? Like you're like, okay, why am I gonna bitch and complain about, you know, three other people in my friend group when that just seems so like negative energy and that doesn't really vibe with me anymore. And do you find...

Annie Lewis (30:05.326)
Right.

Miriam (30:16.676)
new other things that are so much more invigorating and how do you explain that to someone else that you've known for, you know, a long time that you maybe don't necessarily share the same interests anymore. And so I totally agree with you. I think that, you know, upleveling your life is a very lonely process. And I think it's, you know, I see a lot of women who over time, you know, they build a new community, but it does. It's one of those things where you're just so much more choosy about who you surround yourself with. So it takes a little bit of time and that's perfectly okay.

On a scale of one to 10, how would you kind of like, and I mean, this is not necessarily like a one word answer, but how would you compare like your stress level to where you were at like this time last year compared to where you're at like now?

Annie Lewis (31:02.958)
I would say it's at least cut in half. So yeah, like 50 % less, five, you know, let's, yeah, it's definitely really digging into some of those things, right? And making the right changes and like being committed to that. That's helped me a lot. And yeah, like I said, taking a day by day, you know, I mean, I'm obviously, you know, I'm a business owner. I plan my weeks, I plan my months. I'm usually planning like three, five months out because if I don't, I have nowhere to book clients.

Miriam (31:06.212)
That's amazing.

Annie Lewis (31:32.142)
So I have to know what's going on, or at least try to know or plan ahead as much as possible. But rolling with the punches is huge. And realizing that I can plan to have control, but I really don't have control. Life's going to happen. Things come up. It's going to be fine. But that doesn't stress me out as much anymore. Yeah, I would say it's cut in half, for sure.

Miriam (31:54.148)
That's amazing. One second, I gotta...

Annie Lewis (31:55.95)
Mm.

Miriam (32:07.652)
Okay, so let's talk for a quick second about human design because how do you feel like human design has impacted? Because I mean, even before we started, you were like, oh, I'm really into astrology. How do you feel like it played into your life in terms of, like in the relationship that you have with astrology, how do you feel like human design has helped you?

Annie Lewis (32:31.118)
Yeah, so I feel like I've always said things like, I'm a cancer. Because anytime I read a horoscope, it is spot on. It's something that just resonates with me. It describes me. So I was born on July 11, which is dead center of cancer season. So in my opinion, it's like when the sun is highest in the summer, right? I am a cancer true to form. And I've done.

dove into that a lot and just have a deep respect for that because even just the reminder that you can look up at the stars and the planets and you're just this tiny dot really puts things into perspective. And I think that's where my love of astrology has come from because I've always been in my head. I've always been pretty stressed about things. We're getting better. But looking up and having that thought of I'm just this like,

speck of dust in this giant universe. So like, I'm just gonna live my life because I deserve to. That's really where like my love of astrology comes from. It really puts things in a perspective. I resonate with all my horoscopes. So, you know, I have that love and that respect and like this energy that I get from astrology. And when we did my human design reading, it was like all the tiny little threads of the...

tablecloth came together, you know, it was the tapestry, right? It all started making sense, especially when we started talking about like my emotional centers, and when they were open or not, or like the channels and the gates, it was like, I never knew that I needed this so much because it made so much sense. And I, you know, took notes while we were going through it. And it was just like, click, click, click, click, like I felt like I was learning.

new things, but at the same time, things I already knew about myself were being validated. Like as you were explaining some of these like channels and gates, and he was like, Yup, that makes so much sense. Like, thank God you just said that. Like I didn't, I didn't know I needed to hear that. Right? I didn't know that this was my truth, but you're speaking my truth. And now like it makes sense. Like it just helped me feel as though I knew myself a lot better, especially energetically, which is obviously the point of, you know, what I'm doing here. So,

Annie Lewis (34:43.694)
Yeah, I mean, I immediately when we were done, right, I like ordered the book. I like, it was like to my fiance, I'm gonna read your human design chart, you know, like it just really for me, like, it felt like I was like, took off some glasses and saw the world differently, right? Saw myself differently. It was really awesome. And I feel like I've still been diving into it because it really solidified so much for me. So validating.

Miriam (35:08.994)
Do you feel like it gave you permission to kind of be more you in a way that felt like more?

Like freeing?

Annie Lewis (35:18.382)
Yeah, definitely. Because I think it's really easy to be in your own head, especially for me. And any time I question that or question feelings that are popping up, it was really easy after human design. We're like, oh, well, it's because of gate 42. But we're like, oh, that's because that's my energy center right there. And that's why it's open. That's where this is coming from. Really helped me pinpoint that flow of energy and where I'm getting it from. The biggest question that we ask in coaching is, is this me?

Or is this an outside thing? And I think the human design and understanding that has helped me sift through that so much quicker, which is great because I don't need to dwell on shit that doesn't serve me. So it really helps me with that for sure.

Miriam (36:05.156)
That's incredible. I am so obsessed hearing that. Oh my gosh, that's literally the best. I love it so much. Is there anything that you feel, I mean, do you want to talk at all about the business expansion? Because I feel like that's, well, it's entirely up to you, but I think it's super exciting how you kind of like, you know, even since we started, it's been so much like switching gears and you don't have to if you don't want to. But I was just curious if you wanted to kind of, you know.

Annie Lewis (36:09.102)
Yeah.

Miriam (36:32.452)
kind of give like cliff notes a little bit about what it's looked like with your extra time that you've had, even though you've like you have mentioned, like you make more money working less, but what does that look like in terms of growing your business, right? Like it's not just that you're like, okay, my life is amazing, period, end of story. Like, you know, you're still working on so many things behind the scenes that are elevating your, you know, your clients lives, your life.

the future impact of the people that you're going to be working with. Yeah, do you want to share that at all?

Annie Lewis (37:06.862)
Yeah, I do. Thank you. I feel like I keep telling myself I need to talk about it more because I'm trying to speak it into existence, right? Trying to manifest all the things. So I'd love to share. As I shared, I got really busy really fast, got fully booked. It was amazing. Just this incredible reach that I've achieved. And I never saw it coming. So.

For me, I'm in this two -room space. It's so cute. It's on Atwood. I love it. I've got my little waiting room and my treatment room. And it's this cozy little environment that I have lived in in the last two years. And one day, it just hit me like I just want more. And with coaching, I realized that's OK. I can want more. I deserve more. I can make more happen for me.

And that was kind of where I started realizing like I have the experience in management. You know, I was a manager for about like five years. I made it to that executive level and was like overseeing a bunch of things. I have all of that experience and training. I worked on teams, you know, ever since I got my first restaurant job at 14 and I love like that team atmosphere and collaborating and sharing ideas. And, you know, I'm, I'm.

growing faster than I thought I would. I have all these people to take care of and not enough time to take care of them. And so to me, it just kind of made sense. Let's do it. Let's expand. Let's have a bunch of rooms and a bunch of people that work in those rooms so we can fill these rooms and really care for people and offer these services that truly bring out the best in people both inwardly and outwardly. And so that's when I kind of started thinking, time to expand. Let's go. I have to say, huge shout out to my client community, though, because I

have built these relationships. They mean so much to me. And it's through these relationships that I've really made connections that have helped this business plan even start coming to life. And I'm just so incredibly grateful for that. One of my clients hooked me up with the Small Business Development Center. And I started working with the director there. I took their entrepreneurial training program in October. It was super nice. It was all online.

Annie Lewis (39:17.806)
five Thursdays and then you went in person. And I felt like not only did I learn so much more about like my current business, I learned so much about expansion and like what to do. I mean, they brought in like a lawyer, they brought in banks, they brought in an accountant, like you really learn so much about like financials and planning and things like that, like cannot recommend that program enough to everybody. But that was a pivoting point for me because then I work one on one with the director in a consulting format where they have a template.

for a business plan. The entrepreneurial training program class that I took, we did a workbook, which is basically a business plan. So it's so easy to just kind of put all those things in the template. The director that I'm working with, she reviews these sections for me, gives me Cliffs Notes and things like that. I was fortunate enough to work with the Badger Consulting Club. So it's just students in the business program at UW who did all of my market research for me, which was insane. Because I always say, I'm a

the creative force, not the numbers force. I can't do that. And so like, awesome, so awesome as a UW alumni as well to like go back and give this opportunity to students. I was so happy to work with them, got incredible market research out of it. And then also through the SBDC, I'll be doing a financial projections clinic, like, thank you, SBDC, because they're going to be running all those numbers for me. And that's where I'm at now. And

where I'm going to be in a year, three, five, 10 years. And that's huge, right? Because the business plan isn't just for the bank. It's also going to be for me as a benchmark where I want to grow based on current numbers, based on my labor table, things like that. So it's been so wild to learn about all of these things. The craziest thing is how the business itself and where it's going to be is kind of falling into place again because of a client.

So right now, secret, but waiting for a client of mine to buy a building. I'll be leasing from them, which is just such an incredible partnership that I love that. If you're going to be taking this huge step, I think it's important to be with people that you love and trust. And I'm so lucky that that just came up for me. But yeah, it's going to be amazing. I'll have a team of massage therapists.

Annie Lewis (41:36.718)
estheticians, I want to put in like a sauna and a salt room. I'm going to have a larger room for trainings because I just think like there's so much opportunity for that continuing education in person. Like I think that's so important and I wish I would have had some opportunities like that. So yeah, I mean, I'm really excited because I'll be combining personally all the things that I want to do. Right. Like I.

will have my business, I'll be able to like flex that entrepreneurial muscle. I get to be a leader again, I'll still have a like beautiful space to have my own practice with my clients. I'll be able to have a team that I can help cultivate, I'll be able to make an impact in the community. I'll be able to use my degree that I just finished and got from UW. Yeah, and then I'll also have all this time for these other projects that I want to do. Like I want to

And I don't even know if I would ever have time for that now, but I know in the future that I would and this experience will make the book even better. So yeah, I mean, it's kind of all coming together. I've been like really invested not only in the business plan, but like my vision board on Pinterest. Because that for me just keeps it going, keeps it alive. Like I'm just so excited about that now. And yeah, it's like a little daunting and a little stressful. And in those moments, I just like go to that vision board. It's like, yeah, but.

I can make this happen. Like, I want this. I'm gonna go get it, you know? I deserve it, so I'm gonna make it happen.

Miriam (42:58.148)
That's amazing. Because I remember, I don't know exactly when it was, it could have been like eight weeks ago, or 10 weeks ago, where you were, I know you were, you had brought up like the business expansion. And you were like, I don't know, like, when is the right time. And it's just so fascinating to see, you know, your perspective from then to like where you are right now. And I know you had a big event this week, like, towards that business expansion and that business growth. And I just think it's so fascinating because you really trusted, you know,

like the process and you trusted yourself. And I remember that conversation distinctly because it was like, when is the right time? And it's often like, you know, there isn't necessarily a right time. It's just a matter of trusting your intuition and trusting your instinct and trusting like just to go for it and to like jump. And then you'll get the signs from the universe, right? And it's very clear that you did that and the universe was like, we got you, right? Like this is the right move. Here's all the things we're gonna line up all these amazing things for you and opportunities and people and connections and all this thing.

And it's just so beautiful to see. And I'm sure it's been incredible experiencing that, you know, on your side to get that affirmation and to say, you know, I mean, literally exactly what you said, like you're holding the vision and you're holding the space for it and everything else is just falling into place and to the point where I'm sure it's like, okay, yeah, you have your, you know, your little task that you have to do for it. But I feel like overall, it feels like it's flowing to you. Would you say that that feels accurate?

Annie Lewis (44:22.446)
Yeah, definitely. And it's just been so hard to trust that. I'm obviously seeing the rewards from trusting it, because it's all happening. Like you said, this week was a huge thing. I got answers I've been waiting for that were stressing me out. I had all these ideas for events going forward, like marketing and networking, and how do I get the right people involved in this? All that fell into place this week. And yeah, back in January, it was like, I don't know where my intuition is.

I can't hear that little voice. It's not talking to me anymore. And through our conversations, it was like, yeah, because it's just telling you like, jump. What are you doing? And that was hard for me to let go. I didn't know that I didn't know how to trust fully until that happened. Because yeah, there was fear, but it wasn't like paralyzing, don't do this, fight or flight. You shouldn't do this fear. It was like fear of like, oh my.

God, this is like upleveling 1200 levels, you know? And like that's intimidating, that's scary, but trusting in it was the hardest part. But trusting in it is the reason that I'm here. Like trusting in it is the reason it's gonna happen. So yeah, I mean, like you said, when you're like, well, either your intuition's telling you like it's a bad idea, your intuition's like silent because it's telling you like you're waiting too long, like you just gotta do it. And I think that was like that moment where...

I mean, I'm not going to say it happened overnight because it didn't, right? I mean, but like, but by talking about it more and being less scared of it and saying like, OK, even if just talking about it is that first step of me not being afraid of this, I'm just going to do that. And so like I would post about it on social media. And then that's when like some of these opportunities started popping up because you never know who you know. You don't know what people know until you know and you don't know until you find out. And I posted about it. Several of my clients are like, oh my God, like,

I have this opportunity for you. I want to be involved in this way." And it was just like so incredibly amazing that that's how it all found a place. Just because I decided, yeah, I'm scared, but I'm just going to trust that this is going to work out. And I'm going to trust that no matter what, I'm going to find the right place, the right things that happen. And now it is. It's insane. I love it.

Miriam (46:40.292)
That is seriously so freaking amazing and so exciting and just like, I mean, in my opinion, that's how, you know, that's how it should look like, right? Is like, yes, you have the little periods of fear, but for the most part, you know, in your soul that this is meant for you. So like just follow your intuition as each step comes along. And then the universe is going to reward you for holding that trust, right? And holding that vision. And that's, you know, where a lot of the work is, is like,

day in and day out being like, okay, great, I'm on the right path. I'm on the right path. I'm on the right path. This is like what I'm searching for. This is like what I'm meant for. And it's so beautiful to hear that on your end, just like describing what that's like and how you do get that payback from holding the trust and holding the vision. And just then I'm sure like moving, enjoying the actual ins and outs of your daily life and then not necessarily like stressing out about it, you know.

Annie Lewis (47:13.294)
Mm -hmm.

Miriam (47:37.316)
but to the point where you have a bodily impact, right? Like, yeah, of course you're like, okay, worried because this is a new territory you're entering, but for the most part, you're in alignment, like going from your clients and your regular work to at home and enjoying your life at home and your dogs and then like being like, great, now we have this other business expansion and we're gonna work on that when it's time and just trusting every day sounds like it has had.

such a beautiful return like that you've gotten, you know, in terms of like how your body's responded, your health and, you know, your actual clients and everything is just so beautiful to watch from my perspective for sure, to, you know, see clients like just, you know, living their purpose and having fun with it and the impact, right? It's a domino effect of being able to see the impact that's having on your clients and how your clients have also supported you. And it's just...

Yeah, so much happiness written all over it. It's so freaking awesome. What would you tell other women that are in business that are like in the burnout phase, you know, cycling through that, you know, routine six weeks? I mean, for me, it was every three months. You know, is there anything that you would tell them that or you would tell yourself a past version of yourself, you know, like yourself this time last year? Like, what would you say? Or do you feel like there's anything that we haven't talked about that you're like, Oh, that was really pivotal for me.

Annie Lewis (49:01.646)
Yeah, I guess my biggest advice would be like find the community, you know, like find the people who get it, who can help you. Because that's what it was for me, right? Like I found you. And it also helped me realize that like I could utilize the people that I already are.

as well. I just didn't know how to acknowledge what was happening or talk about what was happening because I didn't feel like what was happening to me was actually a thing. Like I didn't feel validated in that this was worth talking about. How is this any, you know, how is this any different than what other people go through? But like it is, it affected my life, it affected everything. And I just think finding the right people to talk to about it, you know, and getting that.

I guess, support and the help and the validation. That's everything. And that's really the biggest, truest form of self -care. Take care of yourself, but find the right people who can help you through that. The people who aren't going to say, why are you talking about energy? You're obviously having physical symptoms. And that was what my doctors were saying to me. It's like, cool, something's wrong with me. Help me. So yeah, I think the biggest advice is, it's out there. Look for it. We have this perspective of the world.

that we either grew up with or that was shaped by the society and the media that we consumed. And it's not even 10 % of what's real and what's out there. And so finding it, you're not crazy. Go find the people who understand you. Go find those resources because they're out there. And you deserve that. You deserve to find your truth and live in validation and have yourself heal. So that would be, yeah, that's my biggest thing is don't feel stuck. Go.

Go find the answers because they're totally out there.

Miriam (50:44.42)
I love that so much. Is there anything that you feel like was really awesome about our time working together that you're like, oh, I definitely want other people to know about that? And if not, that's totally fine. But I'm curious if there is anything.

Annie Lewis (50:58.99)
Yeah, no, it's been terrible. Just kidding. No, yeah, never mind. Delete the podcast. That's fine. In all seriousness, yeah, like I think, like I said, I didn't know why I reached out to you. Like I just did, right? And it was scary. And I had no idea what I was doing. But I needed a push. Like I needed a push. I didn't even know I needed a push, right? Like.

Miriam (51:01.444)
That's been miserable.

Annie Lewis (51:25.358)
Sure, there was like a part of me that knew I wanted all these things and I had this, you you helped me get there, right? Like you remember, I'm like, I wanna write a book, I wanna expand my business, I wanna do all these things, I wanna be a millionaire, I wanna buy a big house, I wanna live on a farm, do all these things. And then you're like, great, like how are you gonna get there? And I'll...

I don't know. I don't know. And that's what stressed me out, right? And it was like this toilet bowl spin of like, oh my god, that's right. Like, I have no path forward. I don't understand. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm so stressed out. Blah, blah, blah, blah. And I didn't even realize I had those cycles, right? And so working together, being in this coaching has been helpful in so many ways. But if I could pick out the highlights, it would be definitely the human design, because I think that's really helped me understand.

who I am, why I am this way, and give myself that validation so it's just like, boom, I can move on and understand that. Two has been the community, right? Being in the container that I'm in, I've made such great relationships and it's so validating to have people who are going through this journey with you, right? Because that truly eliminates some of that isolation that you feel. Because I knew I could put something in the group chat, right? And not only would you offer that advice, but then everybody else would be like, we love you, we get it.

here's something that I went through that's very similar or like, here's a funny meme, because you need to smile. You know, like that was, I love the community aspect. I really loved that for sure. Which as you know, I was like in the beginning, energetically, we're not like, ugh, I can't be in a group, right? And then I like, you know, it totally switched for me. And I think the other thing is obviously just you, like you had me, you know, you heard me, you listened to me, you voted me. In that moment, like right in December when everything was just like this huge, you know,

pinpoint destruction mode. It was like, let's have a one -on -one. Like, let's get through this. Like, it was, it was therapy. It was validation. It was a path forward. It was like a brainstorming workshop. I needed that. Like, I didn't just need, you know, a doctor to say, here's an anti -anxiety pill or like a therapist to say, like, here's like the breath work you should do. You know, like I really needed the validation that everything I was feeling was like normal.

Annie Lewis (53:38.35)
for me, right? Like, this is your journey, this is your transformative opportunity. How are you gonna get through that, right? And then working together in that one -on -one setting, I figured out a way forward. And that framework that you provide for me and coaching, that was like huge. Because I feel like I can tackle everything now. And I know for a fact that that transformative pivotal point.

is going to happen again in my life. Like that's why we're here. That's the point of being a human. And like now I know like I can get through that. I can embrace that change. I know it's good for me. So yeah, like I have that belief and that experience because of like that one on one experience that we had together. So certainly you as a coach, the community that comes along with it, and then the human design piece, like it all really just fits together so well. It has been like a huge part of this journey for me for sure.

Miriam (54:31.556)
Amazing. Oh my gosh. Well, it absolutely not would would not have been possible without your openness and vulnerability. Because I mean, that is really, you know, your desire to improve your own life and your willingness to see yourself is 100 % why you're you know, why you're here like living this amazing life and experiencing all the growth and expansion and just the joy that has come with reducing your stress and reducing the burnout is so like,

you know, I pinch myself because I'm like, oh my gosh, it's just so incredible that, you know, you were willing to take the jump and take the risk on yourself because as you know, I mean, first of all, to be able to be like, oh shoot, I might need this and then not necessarily exactly know what you're going to get into and then to uncover all those things and then work on them, you know, it's like.

Oh, it's, you know, it doesn't feel the greatest in the beginning. But then, you know, you come out on the other side and you're over here like, okay, my life is so good. Like, oh my gosh.

Annie Lewis (55:32.238)
Yeah, absolutely. It's all fairy dust now, you know, it's all fine.

Miriam (55:37.988)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, you know, and knowing that you have the tools in your belt to be like, okay, great, I can tackle what needs to be tackled. And it doesn't mean my life is over or like, you know, that I have to go right into burnout. It's like, okay, well, we'll take it in stride and we you you have your own back. And that is so so everything else is like a cherry on top. And that's just so beautiful. So I love it so much. And I'm so proud of you. You're so amazing. Amazing, amazing.

Annie Lewis (56:01.166)
Thank you. Thank you.

Miriam (56:04.708)
Cool, so why don't you tell the listeners where they want to find you, if they want to follow you on socials or if they want to come and see you for a service, share all the good stuff.

Annie Lewis (56:17.934)
Yeah, I would love to. So my business currently is Annie Aesthetics Co. Aesthetics, A -E -S -T -H -E -T -I -C -S. Everybody is like, I don't know how to spell that word. So there you go. Annie Aesthetics Co. That's my website, www .AnnieAestheticsCo .com. I'm on Instagram as Annie Aesthetics Co. So you can follow along. I post about my journey all the time, very vocal about it because I think sharing is caring.

for me because it's helpful. It's totally helpful. So I would say yeah, follow me on Instagram. I do have a Facebook page as well. You know, hold me. I have a link in my bio that has a form link. So if you want to book with me, you can fill that out. On my website is a list of all my services. Yeah, I love working with everybody. So I love it.

Miriam (57:05.06)
Amazing.

Miriam (57:09.604)
Fabulous, amazing. Well, I'm so grateful that you came on today and talked about your journey. And if you are not following her, definitely go follow Annie on Instagram. She's amazing. And she brings such a joy to your feeding or social life because she's so bubbly and so positive and it's amazing. So thank you so much for joining us today. I appreciate it.

Annie Lewis (57:28.398)
Thank you. Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.

Miriam (57:32.804)
Amazing. Okay, we can still chat. I'm just going to stop the recording.