By: Alva Ree
I first discovered the world of aesthetics when I was 17 years old. Even then, I had a dream: one day, I wanted to open my own beauty space. At the time, I was living in another country, and I did not have the opportunities or the environment to turn that idea into reality. So that dream stayed with me for many years.
That is why I value the experience I have gained in the United States so much today. Looking back now, I realize that I have fulfilled a dream that I carried with me for almost twenty years. It was not a spontaneous decision or a random career change. It was a long path that slowly unfolded over two decades.
People often ask if I was afraid to start my own business, Medmom Beauty Studio, especially since I had never been an entrepreneur before. Honestly, I did not spend much time thinking about fear. I had a very simple but powerful vision. I wanted to come to Manhattan for work, walk through the city in the morning, grab a coffee, feel the rhythm of the streets, and feel that I truly belong here. When I found the space that would later become my studio, I immediately felt it reflected my philosophy and my way of seeing the world. Today, my studio is a small island of calm in the very heart of busy Manhattan.
For me, opening the studio Medmom Beauty was not only about business. It was about creating a place where people can slow down for a moment, take care of themselves, and reconnect with their bodies. In a fast and demanding city like New York, spaces like this become especially meaningful.
Of course, the path was not easy. I did not have a large team or assistants with whom I could share responsibilities or worries. But I was lucky to have supportive friends and a few close girlfriends who believed in me from the beginning. I am sincerely grateful to them because, in many ways, this business exists today thanks to their support.
From the very beginning, it was important for me not simply to provide services but to create an environment where people feel respected for themselves and their bodies. I truly love my work. I enjoy meeting people, watching their transformations, and seeing how their relationship with themselves begins to change.
I believe the human body is an incredible creation of nature. Our role is to treat it with care, appreciate it, and help it become healthier and more balanced. This philosophy is shared by the specialists who work with me in the studio. For us, every treatment is not just a procedure; it is an experience built around care, attention, and respect. Perhaps that is why many of our clients stay with us for years.
One of the most important lessons I learned while building my studio is that you should not expect instant growth or a perfectly smooth path without mistakes. When you build a business largely on your own, progress is almost always connected to the amount of work you put in.
At the same time, it is important not to underestimate your own journey. Even if growth happens more slowly than you hoped, you are still moving forward. Today, you are already different from the person you were yesterday. In my experience, success belongs to those who continue moving forward after setbacks and difficult periods. Another important realization is that the most valuable resource in any business is you. It is essential to take care of yourself, recognize your efforts, and acknowledge your progress. Sometimes we are too strict with ourselves and focus only on what still needs improvement. But it is just as important to pause and recognize how far you have already come.
Sofia Zimovets, creator of Medmom Beauty Studio
