Meet Aimee Grubenhoff | Reiki Master & Hairstylist/Barber

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

Hi Aimee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business stemmed from a few different places. With my Reiki and Energy healing business- Shadow in the light Healing- it began with my willingness and desire to help other people uncover their most authentic, truest and beautiful self by making peace with their trauma and helping them remember the divine light and unique gifts that live inside them. As I was going through my own healing journey I was first hand experiencing how powerful energy work was and it ended up playing a huge role in my recovery to better mental health and an overall sense of wellness. This is turn made me want to share this with as many people as I could. I never knew it was possible to be so genuinely happy and I want to show others that they can be that too! The thought process behind renting my own chair to do hair, other than my willingness to care for others was freedom. I have always desired to create a relaxing and luxury environment for my guests where I can take my time, focus on the quality of my work and pamper my clients with hot towels, aromatherapy, massage, and straight razor work. In Addition my family and close friends are very important to me and I love to spend time with them whenever I have free time. They all bring me so much joy and make my heart burst with love. Especially getting to watch my small nephews grow up has been such a blessing and a treat getting to re-experience holidays, Disneyland and other magic through their eyes. Working for myself has not only provided me with the ability to create the special experience I want my clients to feel and have but also the flexibility to be fully present in my life and has allowed me to make the schedule I want to make so that I can choose to participate in family events, vacations and spend time with my dear friends. I never bought the into the saying work is work and that’s what you have to do. I’ve met so many people who are unhappy because of their job and I just decided that wasn’t going to be me. I am the designer of my life and I knew it was possible to break the paradigm to create the life I’ve always dreamed of. It has taken massive amounts of hard work to get here in my journey of healing myself first and working hard in my career to get me to this stable place. It definitely wasn’t easy and I think that’s why so many are okay with just being content and that’s absolutely okay if that’s all you desire but if you’ve ever wanted more like me, commit, believe, achieve; fully commit to yourself and to the project, task, or dream you are manifesting, believe in yourself and all of the abilities and tools you carry, and achieve the goals you set for yourself and then make more! For me at the end of the day, I am most passionate about people, whether it’s working with them energetically or working with their hair I always aspire to leave people better than when I found them. The smile and glow my clients reveal after a session is all the satisfaction I need and makes me feel so happy that I was able to pass that along to someone else, to play a small part in their day is more rewarding than I could ever say. In the future as my businesses continue to grow I plan to expand my work into the community by focusing my proceeds and time each month on a specific charitable group or nonprofit. My main goal with this is to impact and help as many people as I can in the world through my gifts of energy healing, dancing, and hairstyling. In a current world filled with so much grief, division, and negativity it is important to lift and raise each other up. Support each other, find compassion, spread love, extend patience and practice gratitude. I’m a firm believer in be the change you want to see no matter how big or small the task. If it doesn’t start with you, then who?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I got to where I am professionally in my career through dedication, passion and so, so, many tears. With Shadow in the Light Healing, the actual business aspect and beginning to work on clients was actually birthed during the pandemic so it is still in its infancy. However I began my spiritual journey and started to study spirituality about 6 years ago. This is where the initial seeds of my now business were being planted. I had to dedicate my time to myself for the first time and give myself permission to start my healing process all while forgiving myself for believing I should’ve done better when I didn’t know how. This was a long, hard, strenuous, and stressful process because it’s hard to face the truth. For me it was the truth of facing the person who was supposed to be safe and seeing who they really were, the aspects of me I didn’t like and didn’t want to be and the truth that I was a product of the abuse that was done to me but that it didn’t have to define me. All of this was made easier by the help I was receiving via conventional therapy as well as the guidance I was receiving from my Auntie and my Reiki Practitioner. After “graduating” a certain level in my healing and receiving my first reiki attunement I began to finally feel like I had met my true calling. I have always loved helping, caring and being there for other people and learning Reiki, being an Akashic Records reader and being a transmitter for the Munay Ki Rites is all an extension of that part of me.

I’m regards to my hair business, that journey began with a passion and love for hip hop dance. Something many don’t know about me is that I was a hip hop dancer before I went into hair! At that time I was looking for something to make money that could compliment the future I was trying to build with dance. What I realized early on in school was that I actually really liked doing hair! I’m an introvert, so I loved doing hair as a way to connect with people and get social interaction. I began focusing on dance as a hobby so I could still nurture and grow my love for it while I pursued this career. During cosmetology school is when I realized my affinity for mens hair and grooming. School was definitely hard for me. Academically I was excelling but my emotional and mental state made it hard to keep going. I was working upwards of 80hrs a week between school and my job so I could pay my bills and keep a roof over my head. I’m grateful that I was fed from the restaurant I worked in because a lot of nights this was my only food source. After graduation I went to work in a barbershop where I studied in an apprenticeship. I dedicated myself to taking all the classes that I could to expand my knowledge, especially on the things that made me uncomfortable. Later the art of the straight razor began charming me so I self taught myself then pursued classes from barbers and finally received my certification from Washington state. Then I went back to school for barbering and am now duly licensed! Still to this day, performing straight razor shaves for people is one of my favorite things. Now I’m 8 years in to doing hair and still get so much joy from working with the amazing clients I have! I get excited to see their names on my schedule because I know that means I’m going to have an extra great day! Being almost a decade into this, it felt like the most sense to make the choice to go into business for myself. I kept having visions about the type of experience I wanted to give my clients, where I could absolutely pamper them with luxury and create an environment where they felt safe to relax. I couldn’t find this anywhere, not in any popular chains or some of the smaller shops around me. A few came close but never were really exactly right so I knew I had to just create it myself.

What sets me apart in these businesses is my authenticity. It has taken me many many years for me to feel safe enough to just be me, and now I can’t be anything else. I have learned what my unique abilities are and how my experiences have shaped that. With my spiritual business I’m constantly getting information from my guides on what the next project will be but I’m happy to be there to support people energetically through their own struggles with all the magic that I carry. So although I do Reiki I am not “just” a Reiki Master, in a session with me I might get information from your guides about a past lifetime, or see a vision of you from another time, or even work with you to heal something from this existence that is still affecting you from another lifetime. This is where my Akashic Records training comes in. Or I may feel the guidance to download specific shamanic medicine into you via one of the 9 core rites of the Munay Ki. All with the intention of what is in the highest good for all, what you’re most ready for and most need to know, that’s what makes me a little different from your standard Reiki Professional. When you come see me for any hair care service what sets me apart is my specialty for men/male/masculine individuals, beard grooming and my ability to combine classic barbering techniques with a modern stylist approach. As I mentioned above I absolutely love straight razor work! It is so much fun and very therapeutic to do. Not to mention it is quite the relaxing process for anyone that chooses to partake. In addition to my specialty, something my clients really appreciate about me is my knowledge of all random things of the hair and scalp, product ingredients and what they do, as well as tools. This is an aspect of my “nerdiness”. When I love something I study it all the way down the rabbit hole just for fun, so I’m never short of random facts! For all my Orange County peeps, I’m now super excited to be offering two locations for hair services, San Juan Capistrano and Ladera Ranch!

Something new I am currently working on that I’m super excited about is creating a special dance workshop that incorporates specific chakra healing! Each class will be centered on a particular chakra in the body, the music will be set at a specific hz for that chakra and I will teach soft movement that will help open and unlock as well as clear blockages from those areas in your body. This will be basic movement that will be accessible to anyone no matter your level or dance experience! In the future, who knows I might start teaching hip hop again too! I am also currently running an amazing special with Father’s Day coming up for all the special lads in your life for my complete deluxe service including a customized haircut, straight razor finish on the back of the neck and around the ears with hot lather foam, a neck and shoulder massage, hot towel with custom aromatherapy, and a scalp massage! If your following me on social media, I will post updates there for any new offerings both hair and spirituality related.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s so hard to narrow down my most favorite local places but if I had to create the perfect itinerary for someone it would consist of good food, special hiking or nature spots, and community activities! Here’s a list of a few of my top favorites!

Food:
– The Sub Shack #12 in Fountain Valley. It’s family owned and operated, everything is always fresh, they always carry what’s in season and they have my all time favorite bread, squaw bread!
– Snooze AM eatery. They have a few locations around oc. They have an incredible breakfast and brunch menu. It’s a very family friendly atmosphere and you can always count on a great experience.
– The Boiling Crab in Santa Ana. I know they have a few locations but this one specifically is so amazing! I think it’s a fun experience getting to wear a bib and have your food in the bag! Pro tip: go for the Cajun seasonings and throw some limes in your bag too *chef kiss.
– Honey & Butter Macaroons, Irvine. Literally the most delicious macaroons I’ve ever tasted, they’re so fresh and they are always rotating flavors.
– Handel’s ice cream Irvine. It’s homemade creamy ice cream, need I say more.
– JD flannel donuts and coffee, San Juan Capistrano. Literally some of the best gourmet donuts you will have, they always use high ingredients and have gluten free options as well.

Nature/hiking
– some of my favorite hikes local to socal is in the Aliso Woods Canyon. I’ve done just about every trail in there, some fun and beautiful ones to note are the dripping caves and car wreck trail.
– Red rock canyon in Whiting Ranch wilderness park. Super beautiful, easy day hike for most with some unique views resembling Arizona.
– Antelope Valley, Lancaster. If you catch yourself during a super bloom or a season that had good rain this is a must. It’s a bit of a drive from socal but absolutely worth it, get there early enough and you can watch the beautiful Orange poppies open from the morning chill. The Spanish described this landscape as “a sea of gold” and it’s easy to see why.
– Angeles National Forrest. This place is pretty large so there is quite a few hikes to do here, I have also done some camping here that is quite nice as well.
– Walk behind the Montage Hotel. There is a super small short trail that goes on a paved pathway right behind the montage hotel, the other view being breathtaking looks into the ocean. There are tons of beautiful plants and flowers that are super well kept and maintained, lots of benches to sit and admire the view, very romantic.
– Victoria beach in Laguna Beach. Nice little beach, when the tide is out you can explore a fun building that the locals call “pirates tower” it has a fun backstory, and was originally built in the 1920’s, when the tide is in the rocks make a nice sized swimming area if it’s warm enough!

Other community activities
– Swan Boats and nature center at Mile square park, Fountain Valley. The pond is on the smaller side but it is filled with so much life! Turtles, fish, and so many species of different birds and water fowls. The nature center has some nice small trails in it with some beautiful trees and native California plants.
– Natural History Museum and La Brea tar pits, Los Angels. I’m a huge fan of museums and these ones are quite the experience with lots of cool history and interesting exhibits.
– Bowers Museum, Santa Ana. Also has some cool exhibits about native Americans and are currently featuring exhibits from a favorite subject of mine, Disney.
– Farmers Markets. We have a few around the town so I will stop by any when I have a chance but I do love the one in Laguna Niguel on Sunday mornings, there’s tamales that are so good and delicious!
– Heritage Museum of Orange County. Cool homes and structures set in the 1890s featuring some beautiful floral gardens as well.
– Self-realization fellowship Meditation Center, Encinitas. Beautiful vast gardens and views perfect for quieting the mind or reading a book.
– Sherman Library and Gardens, Newport Beach. Absolutely stunning botanical garden oasis. Perfect quiet day for finding your new or old favorite book and curling up next to immaculate plants and views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate my shout out to my family and friends! My parents, Richard and Mary, my brother Ben, my Auntie and Uncle, Jessica R. And her family including my sweet nephews, Diandra K., Lidija N., and Aimee Clugston! I love you all with my whole heart!!

These books:
Rising Strong- Brené Brown
The power of focus for women- Fran and Les Hewitt
The four agreements- Don Miguel Ruiz
Radical Acceptance- Tara Brach
The psychic pathway- Sonia Choquette
Sublime Union- Mercedes Kirkel

To all of my amazing clients with whom none of my businesses would be successful without! I have throughly enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you. The stories we’ve shared, major life moments both happy and sometimes sad, the laughs, all the hugs and every moment in between; I am so thankful and blessed to be a part of your lives. Thank you for making “work” an amazing place to be!

I’d also like to give a shoutout to all of my teachers and mentors along my hair styling career and my reiki journey as well as my spirt guides and spirit team. I could not have made it to this place in my business and my career without your leadership or the valuable skills and lessons you each have taught me along the way. There are too many of you to name but know you each played a positive and crucial role in me figuring out what my unique abilities and offerings are and how to be the best version of me to present them to the world.

And lastly I would like to give a huge thank you to the entire hardworking team at Voyage LA. Without you guys, shout-outs like these wouldn’t even be possible. Thank you for taking the time to find and seek out all the special entrepreneur’s in our community and give our small businesses a voice!

Website: Www.Shadowinthelighthealing.com

Instagram: @shadointhelighthealing

Other: For everything hair and appointments Instagram: @pnwgrownbarber @reddoorsalonladera @easalon Www.hairandfinebarberingbyaimee.com