Meet SUMMER RYAN | Aesthetician/Business Owner

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

Hi SUMMER, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The short definition of risk is the possibility of loss or injury. If you look at that definition there is nothing in this world that you cannot apply that to. There is nothing in your life that is not already risky. So the way that I have always looked at taking risks was it is inevitable so why not go out and try something, at least this way I get some control over what I am willing to lose. People have always told me that they think I am fearless. “Oh I cannot do what you did you are fearless”, is something I hear quite often. But in all honesty I am not fearless, if anything I am ignorant. I am just willing to get up and see what happens. I truly believe if you sit around venting about the things you want to achieve or you are waiting for the perfect time to start something you will never end up actually doing anything. Why? Because we are more than likely naturally afraid of uncharted territory. When we allow ourselves to entertain fear we only delay our destiny. We are creatures of habit, but yet we forget we are the ones that can create any habit we want to take on. I know they say there is no reward without the risk, but for me I don’t look for the rewards, I look for lessons. I’ve learned more in failure than I ever could in success. Failure does not hinder me it fuels me because it is proof that I tried something.

I started my business in September 2020 smack dab in the middle of a pandemic. I had no clients, no following, and no clue how I would make rent. But I did it anyways because it felt right. It felt like I was in the exact place that I needed to be in at the exact right time. Where did I learn this unfounded confidence? Nowhere I told you I am ignorant. lol But really a little bit of innocent ignorance doesn’t hurt anybody. I believe I came from this universe and I believe this universe has my back. It wants to conspire to help me but it cannot help me if I am not doing right by myself. I try to picture my future self and see what would have made me happier and have less regrets. Would it have made me happy going the societal safe route and working a dead end job forever? Or would I have rather tried to start a company and fail over and over again until I eventually succeed with something I am passionate about? Do I want to make someone else’s dream come true or my own? And I know the answer to that question and that is why I take risks.

Now I stand here before you being in business for a little over a year with 1500 clients in the my database, over 400 5 star reviews, and working on launching my retail Bikini Brush product. So if you are thinking about starting the business, making that art, or anything else that you are questioning here is your sign GO DO IT. Not tomorrow, not next month, NOW. You can do it and even if it doesn’t work out look at your beautiful failure and say wow I cannot believe I tried that I cannot wait to take what I have learned and put it towards my next venture. Because the world keeps spinning, but don’t let it spin too fast without you.

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?
What sets me apart is that I created a business entirely in my own image. I wanted to create a completely different world when it comes to sugaring. Brazilians are an unfortunate part of some women’s choice of hygiene and we all have had a terrible one. I want you to look forward to your appointment. I want it to be an experience. I promise you, you will never experience a brazilian treatment like mine. When you come into my room you get a personalized robe, lay on top of coushiny table, I remove every single hair, and I follow it all up by custom serums and custom masques. This is not your run of the mill beachy themed sugaring company. I stand out because I want to stand out. I want you to feel cared for.

Nothing in life is easy but when it is something you love you do it. I have found the balance of understanding it takes hard work but also understanding the law of least effort. So for me this did somewhat feel effortless because it was the right thing for me to be doing. Sometimes we try to force things in our lives but if the universe is fighting back, we need to reevaluate if that really is our purpose.

I want people to know that there are honest people in the beauty community. There are people that will give you real answers to your problems and not prey on your insecurities. We have a lot of pressure as women and the last thing we need to be doing is taking advantage of each other.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would say take them to the top of the world in Laguna Beach during sunrise. Go to Huntington Beach during the day. Eat at Seabirds on 4th St in Long Beach, and have a bonfire in Newport at night.

The beach is always going to be my pick. But I have also recently go into Aerial Yoga which is the only thing holding my heart at the moment.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not be the person I am today if it was not for Divina Michael. I would have not stood, ran, or prospered without her. I take immense pride in knowing I poured my time into one of the most healthy and synonymous friendship I will ever know. Not only is she one of the most naturally self driven person I know but watching her spiritual growth and observing her self heal is something I am in awe of everyday. We all have the choice to stay complacent but it takes a brave soul to fix what was broken. Not only did she heal herself, but now she has taken what she has learned and put it into action for the public to discover for themselves. She has workbooks, 1:1 coaching, and retreats in Bali for anyone needing to heal their inner child.

The second person who has established a part of my character is my boyfriend Travis Peterson. He is the foundation in which I would have never been able to build off of without. I am so grateful for choosing him to be my partner. He pushes me to be a better person. He tells me to jump knowing he will catch me. He gives me the strength to know that I will never true fail, only try. It is no surprise that he is also a entrepreneur and co-owns an event track day company Apex Assassins.

The people you choose to be around is the difference between life and death, so choose wisely.

Website: sugarandsand.co

Instagram: sugarandsandco

Yelp: sugarandsand

Image Credits
@divinaamichael @nataliefalkner @morganvozga @jesskaflowz @kita.pili