Meet Julia McWilliams | Aesthetician

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

Hi Julia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Ever since I was young I always had the dream of working for myself because I could never pinpoint exactly what it was that I wanted to do. I always thought that if I had something of my own, I could shape it into whatever I wanted. So for years, this was always the vision I had in my mind, which lacked any specific details or plan of action, it was just a desire that I kept. After bouncing around at a handful of different jobs, I was lucky enough to find two jobs specifically in the wellness industry that were both run by women that I respected. Looking at them made me think that at some point, I would follow their footsteps in starting my own business. This made me feel like I was at least going in the right direction. One of those two jobs that I found was one of my favorite jobs ever at the School of Botanical and Medical Aesthetics working in admin. I was there for a couple of years doing interviews with people who wanted to become licensed and it was my job to get them enrolled and help them with their progress as a student. Eventually it felt like a very natural next step to participate in the aesthetics program that I was sharing with so many people. So finally, it was as if the answer was staring at me in the face and I could start my own practice with aesthetics! So, that is what I did.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I grew up painting, drawing, reading, writing, and surrounded by music. These were always the things that allowed me to express myself and find peace and clarity in a lot of different situations. I feel like I owe who I am today to my creative pursuits because it is a reflection of how my brain functions. Anyone who knows me would not describe me as a super type A or left brained person. I have always been driven by emotions and I have also always been a very all or nothing person. When I entered the wellness industry as an aesthetician I was looking for what made me unique and it was something that I could feel but had the hardest time articulating. There are a million different holistic aestheticians in Denver and it gave me doubts of myself as to why someone should come see me as opposed to anyone else. I was always really good at giving a great facial but everything revolving around the business for me felt like an uphill battle. I was looking for myself in ways that I didn’t expect and in the midst of that, learning Italian somehow found its way into my life.

After a little while of studying Italian, Casey and I went on a date to Cafe Jordano because our apartment was right across the street. That is when I met my friend, Patrizia! She is from Napoli and invited me to start coming to the restaurant every week to practice speaking with her. Then after doing that for a while, we started going on morning walks together and going grocery shopping. She has become such a huge part of my life now and also allowed me to get my foot in the door working at the restaurant! Ever since I have been there, the uphill battle I was feeling has shifted and everything has been coming so easily. I never thought I would work another restaurant job but this place is truly special. Everyone is like family there and now I get to practice speaking Italian all I want 🙂 Patrizia’s sister, Elisa, is the owner of the restaurant and she started it when she was 29 years old, how old I am now. The two of them have forever changed my life.

When I was lost, my creative side came forward because I started to read and write more as a way to navigate what I was feeling. I also tried to not think too hard, I put myself towards what felt in line with what I cared about. Then, being so all or nothing is what I think allowed me to throw myself to learning Italian. I couldn’t exactly tell you why Italian but it felt like a puzzle that I started to see a bigger picture the more I learned. It taught me that making mistakes is necessary and it gave me a new perspective. In the end, it did also did give me something unique! Maybe not necessarily in the aesthetics field, but it became something I could hold close to me. And funny enough, the product line I use in my practice is called, “Sorella” which means sister in Italian. I didn’t plan that at all! And now that I also work at the restaurant, I can have the flexibility to shift my aesthetics practice in a way that still feels authentic to me. But, the biggest thing I have ever learned is to put myself outside of my comfort zone and not to have fear to change things from how I may have originally planned. There is something usually waiting for us that we couldn’t even imagine.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh man! Okay well because I am from Conifer and will always be a mountain girl at heart, we would for sure go on a few hikes. Myers Ranch in Conifer is forever a favorite of mine but also I would take them to Georgetown and go hike up Guanella Pass. Maybe we could spend a day around Evergreen Lake and get some ice cream at Baskin Robbins and pizza from Beau Jo’s. It’s always worth it to find a hot springs, anywhere in the mountains! There are also some amazing breweries that we would for sure go to. One of my favorites is the Brew Hut because they have different classes on brewing that are always so much fun! I am honestly such a home body so we would also have a lot of slow mornings with coffee but in the afternoon, we could for sure go find some live music! If it was winter, definitely snowboarding and lounging around Keystone.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly, my boyfriend is the first person who comes to mind. Without him I could not have had the freedom to navigate myself in the way I have the past few years. His name is Casey and I met him in 7th grade at West Jeff Middle School and he has seen me in every phase of myself! Casey and I also have such an incredible friend and family group that has given me so much love and support. I also wouldn’t be where I am without my friend, Patrizia. She has given me the freedom to learn how to express myself in Italian. Without a doubt, she has shaped me in ways that are hard to explain. Then there are two Youtube channels that have changed my life, Easy Italian and Italiano Automatico.

Instagram: @julia1093

Image Credits
Leigh Skomal took the professional picture of me giving the facial, she’s incredible. Then the other ones are of me and my boyfriend, Patrizia (with the bangs and straight hair), and Elisa (with the blonde curly hair) that I took. I got permission from everyone to share!