Meet Megan Blaha | Licensed Esthetician & Board Certified Laser Technician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Blaha and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

To be completely honest, I didn’t think it through at all, it was probably the most impulsive thing I have ever done in my 28 years. And yes at times, especially in the beginning, realizing everything I had to invest in my business…in myself…was and still is scary. But I have absolutely no regrets. Being my own boss, making my rules, my schedule, everything; its liberating! When the thought popped into my head, I had been working at a hospital for a few years after graduating with a degree in Health Service Administration. I knew I wouldn’t be happy long term working in an office setting. I needed creativity, I needed freedom.

Initially I thought, well ‘what makes you happy, Megan? Do what makes you happy.’ So the self analysis started, and after an embarrassingly long amount of time I realized that what made me happy was skincare. Everyone has their vice, that little thing that tickles the right spot in your brain; for me, its skincare. That groggy feeling, when you wake up not ready to take on the day, or when you get up from a nap that was a few hours longer than expected, or you’re just in a mental slump and can’t figure out why you’re feeling the way you do? Wash your face. Trust me. It doesn’t have to be a full 10 step skincare routine, just the basics. And I guarantee you’ll feel better.

I knew that starting my own business in an already saturated esthetics industry would be difficult, but I thought if I had worked for a major company or leading brand in the business, I would be following my past steps and not be satisfied with myself. I had my hesitations but a friend reassured me, ‘people do this for a living, why not you?’ So I took the risk, and two years later, have my own business, making my clients happy in their skin and sharing my admiration for skincare at Sunshine Skin Studio.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Before opening Sunshine Skin Studio, I traveled abroad to South Korea; known for their advanced skincare industry. While visiting, I learned and experienced their infamous skincare methods and techniques, to implement them within my services at Sunshine Skin. During my travels, I received multiple procedures and discussed with skin care professionals about the differences from Western practices. While effective, the Western approach is harsher and chemically focused. Using high percentage-chemical based products to achieve the results we crave. Yes, they are effective, and skincare is not one size fits all. Having options to achieve the same results is necessary. That’s where my knowledge of South Korea’s approach comes into play. At Sunshine Skin Studio, we utilize both methods of skincare to achieve my clients goals. My facial services are results driven with help from professional grade products and influenced by South Korea’s skincare philosophy: Hydration and toning. They strive themselves in a calm, restorative and preventative approach. Which lends itself perfectly in the relaxing, calm and safe environment that is; Sunshine Skin Studio.

While living abroad and experiencing these skincare procedures; I vlogged. A huge part of becoming a small business owner is social media marketing. I had never felt comfortable in front of a camera. Let alone pulling my phone out in public to record. The first few times I tried filming myself during services, I was nervous and shy. But I thought, once I go back home people would want to see for themselves. This is when I had the idea to enter my “social media influencer era” and vlog. This made it accessible for people to ask questions and interact while I was still traveling, to provide as much detail as possible for any service I received. These varied from standard cleaning facials, decongestants, toning and shaping lasers, cryo facials and botox.

When I arrived in Miami, I continued vlogging about the skincare products I brought back and talked about the results achieved from the procedures. Incorporating South Korean products into my facial services has brought in curious clientele who wish to receive South Korean inspired services…without having to travel across the world.

Along the way, I’ve had encounters where I second guess myself, my services, my brand. But above all else, I’ve learned that if you’re truly passionate about something…it will reflect in your work and people will gravitate towards authenticity. Which is what I continue to strive for at Sunshine Skin Studio.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Being Chinese Jamaican, I would stray from the expected Miami breakfast and choose dimsum from South Garden. The nostalgic smell of shumai and roast pork being brought to the table, sipping a hot cup of tea, its pure bliss. Filling the table with an assortment of small Chinese dishes, ranging from chicken feet, dumplings, buns; what a delicious way to start the day.

To burn off the calories from breakfast, how about a welcome in the everglades, on an airboat ride through the swamplands with alligator friends. If they’re scared like I was, I’d probably take them on a nice drive through the Keys. Stopping to feed the Tarpon at Robbies, a quick bite to eat at Lazy Days on the water, and then a slice of key lime pie on the way back north at Blonde Giraffe.

One thing I always crave is Mexican food, and lucky for me I found a consistently delicious restaurant in Kendall, El Rancho Grande. A must get is one of their refreshing margaritas, perfect on a hot miami day. Anything on their menu can do no wrong, but my favorites are the Chile Relleno (cheese only) and the Chile Verde Chilaquiles with Carne Asada.

Me not being a nightlife person anymore, would suggest a brewery or The Puttery instead of downtown. But for those who crave a fun late night, you MUST visit Regatta Grove. Known for great music, awesome atmosphere and yummy bites.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

The saying it takes a village, truly is one heck of a statement I will never take for granted. Simply put, if it wasn’t for my family and friends, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’d like to highlight a few important people in my life, without discrediting the many others who have supported me.

Firstly, my mom, Lisa. She said something to me in the early stages of my esthetician career–‘sometimes you have to go all in and give it a shot, otherwise you’ll never know what could’ve been; if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out, but at least you can say you did everything you could.’ For that, I’m eternally grateful, it gave me the nudge to push forward and create Sunshine Skin Studio.

Then there’s my dad, ‘yes man’ Bill. Always agreeing to my crazy ideas, supporting my life choices; as long as I was happy. Unfortunately, he passed away four years ago due to cancer while I was in esthetician school. When I enrolled, he told me that he was thrilled I found what I wanted to do in life, not everyone is lucky to have found their calling. During my graduation ceremony, I had to deliver a speech as valedictorian and being that it landed on his birthday…solidified that not only was he there cheering me on, but I was meant to be an Esthetician.

On a lighter note, I’d like to end with my best friend Enmaibet, she’s been there since elementary school, when neither of us knew what we wanted to be growing up. After all these years, we’re right by each other’s side. Since opening up Sunshine Skin Studio, she has not only become one of my clients; but a handyman, my social media consultant, and above all, a friend to lean on when things aren’t shining bright.

Thank you Mom, Dad and Enmaibet; for being literal angels that have helped me along this journey.

Website: sunshineskinstudio.setmore.com

Instagram: @sunshineskinstudio

Other: TikTok: @sunshineskinstudio

Image Credits
Enmaibet Alvarez, Amber Tuzio, Renata Pacheco