Exploring Life & Business with Julie Heide of Ritual Beauty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Heide.

Hi Julie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about skincare and cosmetics. I started working at Sephora when I was nineteen in hopes of pursuing a career in makeup artistry. When I realized there weren’t a lot of makeup artistry education opportunities in Kansas City, I decided to pursue a license as an Esthetician through Johnson County Community College’s Esthetics program. During that time, skincare became my passion for makeup artistry and I decided that working in a spa environment was my goal. I continued to work at Sephora, working my way up to a manager as I attempted to work at different spas in the area, but nothing ever quite felt right. While I worked at Sephora, I was continuously overwhelmed by the number of products to recommend, and I was always disheartened when woman after woman would come in looking for the magic product that would erase any skin imperfections they thought they had. I knew that nothing in that store was going to give them the results they wanted, and I refused to be dishonest and just sell them the most expensive thing. I realized that the beauty industry can be incredibly toxic in many ways and I wanted to be someone who disrupted the status quo and challenged women to see the beauty in their imperfections. I always tell women now that they have earned their wrinkles, dark spots, etc.; that what they consider signs of aging are actually signs of a life well-lived- joy, sorrow, love, and time in nature and in the sun.

When I became pregnant with my son, I knew that I didn’t want to work in retail, especially as a manager anymore. Only a month after I realized I was pregnant and had that realization, a local small business owner found me on Instagram and after the meeting, invited me to be a part of her team. It was the most perfect timing. She taught me so many wonderful things and through my time working with her I gained my passion for holistic, plant-based skincare, and embracing graceful aging. Working for her gave me the ability to grow a client base of incredible women that have changed my life and I will forever be grateful for the time I spent working there.

Earlier this year, in March, I had a realization that I wanted to start my own business. I had always enjoyed not having the responsibilities of a business owner, and being able to leave work at work, but something changed. I realized the possibilities of opening up my own skincare studio and after I did some quick math, I knew it could be a reality. My skincare rituals have been such a constant in my life. I was inspired to create a place where women could enjoy time to themselves and receive some of my favorite beauty rituals, and Ritual Beauty was born. I came up with a plan and started telling those closest to me and everyone was incredibly supportive of my decision. I knew I was in alignment because the Universe kept telling me “YES” and everything kept working out, and now here I am, a small business owner. I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who has supported me, I would not be here if it weren’t for my husband’s support or the support of my parents. Most importantly, I’m so grateful for my clients who have become close friends through years of getting facials or lash extensions. I would not be where I am if it weren’t for them.

I’m truly so thankful to be where I am now and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In some ways, it has been smooth and in other ways, it has felt overwhelming. Starting a business, finding the correct paperwork, finding a space that had what I needed and was affordable, have been some of the challenges. I have been so thankful to have the guidance of my father who owns his own business. Having his advice and encouragement help has been invaluable to getting where I am today. I’m also a mother, so a work-life balance has been a challenge too. Finding time to work on my business at home while also balancing a healthy relationship with my family has been a challenge, but I’ve found it is imperative to learn to balance it all.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Ritual Beauty is a holistic skin and beauty studio located in Elevate Salon Studios in Kansas City, Missouri. I have a decade of experience in the beauty industry, and nine years as a licensed esthetician. I provide natural-looking lash extensions, brow shaping and tinting, dermaplaning, and apothecary-style facials. I use only the highest quality plant-based and vegan skincare as it is so important to me to use products that are consciously made and backed with integrity. All of my treatments are customized for each client’s needs and are intentionally curated to be calming and healing for the mind, body, and soul. To me, it’s so much more than helping people with their skin concerns. While helping people learn to care for and treat their skin is so important to me, I also want people to know that they are so much more than their skin. I truly believe that when we take the time to fill our own cups and allow others to care for us, we are better able to care for others. Taking the time to care for my skin has been one thing that has always been a non-negotiable for me. It’s so much more than just washing my face at the end of the day, they really have become my rituals, which is how I got the name for my business. I want to help others enjoy their own beauty rituals, whether it’s a facial with me, or a skincare ritual at home, or anything else. I find it so valuable to know I will have those few minutes in the morning and at the end of the day to myself.

What makes you happy?
I am happiest when I am with my family and friends, when I am in my studio with clients, and when I’m in nature. Work-life balance can be so hard because I love my job and the people I get to see at work as much as I love spending time with my family. Work doesn’t feel like work when you do what you truly love. My clients are so much more than that. They have become close friends and in a way a support system. I am so incredibly thankful to go to work and get to see people that I can have deep and honest conversations. How could I not be happy when I get to see some of my favorite people on earth! Seeing my son develop into a little boy has been so rewarding. He is a wild man that keeps me on my toes and always reminds me to not take life so seriously. My family and friends are so important to me, I have the best support system and they have supported me and loved me through every phase of life. I’m so incredibly thankful to have them by my side and encouraging me.

While I love being with my clients and being with my family and friends, I love some good alone time too. Being in nature whether it be in the woods on a hike, at the lake, on a beach, in a pool, anywhere outside- I’m so happy. It makes me feel grounded and having that time to myself to think, or listen to podcasts and music is so restorative to me. It helps make me a better person.

Contact Info:

• Email: julie@ritualbeautykc.com
• Website: ritualbeautykc.com
• Instagram: ritual.kc
• Facebook: ritualbeautykc

Image Credits
Jillian Bode