Meet Hula Castellon | FNP-BC, Founder of Uplifted Medical Aesthetics

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

Hi Hula, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?

As a mother and an entrepreneur, I believe the most important thing I’ve done for my children is show them—through action—that dreams are not only worth chasing, but also worth building. I’m an immigrant from a post-Soviet country, and I arrived in the U.S. with no roadmap, no generational wealth, and no guarantees. What I had was ambition, an unshakable work ethic, and a deep belief that it was possible to create a life of purpose and impact from the ground up.

Building my business—while raising children—was never about achieving a picture-perfect balance. It was about integrating my values into both roles. I let my children see the reality of entrepreneurship: the long nights, the tough decisions, the quiet moments of doubt, and the powerful moments of triumph. They’ve seen me wear every hat—from nurse practitioner to business owner to mother—and they’ve learned that leadership at home and in business begins with showing up fully, even when it’s hard.

What I try to model every day is that success is never handed to you—it’s earned. And it’s not just about financial gains or professional milestones; it’s about building something with integrity. I want my children to understand that hard work, resilience, and perseverance aren’t just career strategies—they are life strategies. Through my journey, I hope they learn that setbacks are part of the process, and that being both ambitious and nurturing is not a contradiction—it’s a superpower.

In a world that often celebrates shortcuts and surface-level success, I want them to know the value of substance. I want them to remember that they watched their mother create a business from scratch—not just to make a living, but to make a difference. And that is the legacy I hope to leave them: one of courage, discipline, and the belief that they, too, can build whatever life they envision, no matter where they start.

What should our readers know about your business?

My business is a medical spa rooted in purpose, ethics, and personalized care. We specialize in safe, evidence-based cosmetic treatments—from skin rejuvenation to injectables—all tailored to help our patients look and feel like the best version of themselves. But more than that, we’re here to shift the narrative around beauty. In a city like Los Angeles, where unrealistic beauty standards are often the norm, we’ve created something radically different: a space where confidence, self-acceptance, and inner wellness take center stage.

As an immigrant from a post-Soviet country and a board-certified nurse practitioner, I understand what it means to build from nothing. And as the wife of a U.S. Marine veteran—whose integrity and sense of duty anchor both our home and our business—I’ve brought that same ethos into the practice. Ours is a proudly immigrant- and veteran-owned space, and that identity informs everything we do: our commitment to ethics, our emphasis on patient education, and our belief that aesthetics should be about enhancement—not erasure.

What sets my practice apart is the why behind every treatment. We don’t chase trends, we build trust. Every consultation is grounded in transparency. Every treatment plan is approached with intention. We’re not interested in volume—we’re invested in value. We prioritize natural results, long-term relationships, and patient empowerment over quick fixes or transactional beauty.

Has it been easy or hard to build your business?

Building my business has been the most challenging, humbling, and transformative experience of my life. It has tested every part of me: mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. As an immigrant from a post-Soviet country, I came to the United States with no financial support, no generational wealth, no insider connections. What I did bring with me was a deep hunger to build a life of purpose, and the willingness to work harder than anyone else in the room to make it happen.

I started at zero. I put myself through school while working multiple jobs—often clocking out of one shift just to clock into another. I studied, sacrificed, and kept going through exhaustion and self-doubt. Becoming a nurse practitioner wasn’t just a career goal; it was a symbol of survival and reinvention. And when I decided to open my own medical aesthetics practice, I knew it would be another uphill climb—but one I was ready for.

There were no investors. No “perfect timing.” Just me, my husband (a U.S. Marine veteran whose strength and integrity anchor everything we do), and a vision to create something meaningful in an industry that often loses sight of its humanity. I poured every ounce of my savings into the business, took calculated risks, and learned everything I could about entrepreneurship—most of it the hard way. I had to wear every hat: provider, marketer, administrator, educator, leader. I had to navigate licenses, legalities, business strategy, branding—and all while still showing up for my patients with the warmth and excellence they deserve.

There were times I questioned if I had what it took. Times when fear crept in, when the obstacles felt endless, and the wins felt fleeting. But I kept showing up—every day, without fail. Because I wasn’t just building a business. I was building a legacy. I wanted to create a space where people felt safe, empowered, and seen. A practice rooted in medical ethics, real relationships, and the belief that beauty should be about confidence and care—not comparison or conformity.

So no—it has not been easy. But it’s been worth every sleepless night and every sacrifice. Because today, I get to do work that aligns with my values. I get to serve my community with integrity. I get to model resilience and purpose for my children. And I get to prove—to myself and to others—that it’s possible to start with nothing and still create something extraordinary. I didn’t take the easy road, but I took the honest one. And that’s what makes this journey so meaningful.

What challenges did you have to face?

The challenges were constant, and they came at every stage—from personal to professional, emotional to operational. As an immigrant, I had to navigate an entirely new culture, system, and language without a safety net or anyone to show me the way. There was no family money, no mentorship pipeline, no blueprint for success. Just a vision and a relentless commitment to see it through.

One of the earliest and most enduring challenges was learning to lead—not just clinically, but as a business owner. I didn’t come from a background where entrepreneurship was modeled for me, so I had to teach myself how to think like a CEO while still acting as a nurse practitioner, a caregiver, and a creative. That meant learning to make high-stakes decisions, building systems from scratch, managing a team, handling setbacks, and staying financially afloat in an industry where the margin for error is small and the pressure to perform is high.

I had to balance risk with responsibility—investing everything I had into my practice while still ensuring my patients felt secure and cared for. I faced the emotional challenge of perfectionism, the mental challenge of burnout, and the physical challenge of long hours and little rest. There were moments I questioned everything—my timing, my capabilities, even my calling. There were days the weight of it all felt unbearable.

But I overcame those challenges the same way I’ve always done: by showing up anyway. By staying focused on what mattered most—my integrity, my patients, my purpose—and refusing to let fear make my decisions for me. I leaned on resilience when the path was unclear, on discipline when motivation ran out, and on faith when the outcomes were still unknown.

And the truth is, the challenges never completely go away. They just evolve. But so do I. Every challenge has made me stronger, smarter, and more intentional. They’ve shaped not just my business—but my character. And I wouldn’t trade that growth for anything.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned building your business?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that resilience is not an innate trait—it’s a skill that must be cultivated deliberately over time. Every time you push forward when quitting feels like the easier option, you’re building resilience. It’s in those moments of doubt, exhaustion, and uncertainty that the foundation of true success is laid.

Success itself isn’t a singular event or a sudden breakthrough; it’s the culmination of countless small, often unseen victories. It’s the quiet mornings when you choose to show up, the late nights spent problem-solving, the times you learn from setbacks rather than being defeated by them. These incremental wins, stacked one upon another, are what truly create lasting progress.

My journey has been built on this mindset—understanding that growth and achievement are gradual, sometimes slow, but always worth the effort. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I also know I’m still building, still evolving. This lesson in resilience has shaped not just my business, but who I am as a leader, a mother, and a person striving for meaningful impact.

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

If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles, I’d want to show them the city I truly love—the side that’s as much about intention and creativity as it is about glamour and hustle. We’d start the day with a refreshing hike in Runyon Canyon, taking in the iconic views of the city and the Hollywood sign, feeling that pulse of energy that only LA can offer. After working up an appetite, I’d treat them to a rejuvenating facial at my med spa—a perfect way to relax and recharge while getting a little insider taste of the aesthetics world.

For lunch, there’s nothing better than the vibrant, eclectic vibe of Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. From artisanal cafes to trendy eateries, it’s the perfect place to soak in the culture and enjoy fresh, delicious food. Dinner would be a must at Gjelina, one of LA’s culinary gems, where farm-to-table flavors meet a warm, inviting atmosphere. To cap off the evening, rooftop cocktails at Bar Lis offer stunning skyline views and a chance to unwind under the stars.

Of course, no trip to LA is complete without some time by the ocean. A beach day in Malibu, complete with a stop at Nobu for exquisite sushi and ocean views, is a must. But LA isn’t just about dining and scenery—it’s about culture and creativity. We’d visit The Broad museum to immerse ourselves in contemporary art, then head over to Rodeo Drive for a touch of iconic glamor. And when it’s time to slow down, brunch at République, with its stunning architecture and mouthwatering menu, would be the perfect way to savor the city’s charm.

LA is a city of contrasts—where the fast-paced energy meets moments of stillness, where creativity blossoms alongside resilience. That’s the LA I’d want my friend to experience: a city that’s real, inspiring, and endlessly vibrant.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

No success is achieved alone, and I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the incredible people who have supported and believed in me throughout this journey.

First and foremost, my mother has been a powerful force in my life. From a young age, she constantly pushed me to pursue more education and to never settle for less than my fullest potential. Her unwavering encouragement and belief in the power of knowledge laid the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished. She taught me that education is not just a path to a better life but a lifelong commitment to growth.

My husband deserves heartfelt recognition as well. As a U.S. Marine veteran, he brings unmatched integrity, strength, and a deep sense of responsibility. His steadfast support allows me to chase my dreams fearlessly. He provides the stability and security our family needs, enabling me to pour my energy into building this business with confidence. His partnership is one of my greatest blessings.

I also want to acknowledge every incredible person God has sent my way—the mentors, colleagues, friends, and even strangers whose guidance, wisdom, and kindness have helped light my path during the most challenging moments. Their support has been invaluable in navigating this often uneasy journey.

Ultimately, my faith has been a quiet but powerful anchor, reminding me that I am never truly alone. Together, these people and this faith form the backbone of my resilience and success. I am deeply grateful for each of them.

Website: https://Www.uplifted-aesthetics.com

Instagram: @uplifted.aesthetics and @hulainjects

Image Credits
Not applicable