Motherhood, Business, and Skin Health: A Letter From Me to You

Michele Renee at Michele Renee Beauty and Cloud Nine Beauty and Wellness in Thunder Bay, On.

Hi friends,

This season is a big one for me both personally and professionally. As many of you know, I’m preparing to step into motherhood while also growing Michele Renee Beauty and Cloud Nine Beauty & Wellness. It’s been all the things... exciting, nerve-wracking, and humbling (also, exhausting... but maybe I need to get used to this for a while).

Balancing business and motherhood, and all the things (aka taking care of myself as well), is new territory. You never really get comfortable being a business owner when you have purpose and a vision to grow, and I imagine, you never really truly get "comfortable" being a mother either. There are always spaces to expand and learn that throw you off balance, "pressure testing" as my mentor Dr. Sarah would say. I must admit, I am very much grounded in welcoming a space of expansion during this time. Although there will most definitely be days where I will questions my sanity, I am ready to take on the challenges as they come (again, check my sanity in a few months).

But to be real, so many women are doing this motherhood thing, while navigating a career and taking care of themselves (or at least trying to). One thing I have noticed, while just being pregnant, is the unequivocal need for a shift in societal values toward women during motherhood and the expectations put upon us all. We will all have different capacities and support throughout these phases of immense change in our lives, as well as different challenges and expectations, nervous system responses (trauma), and personal lenses we see things through. But one thing is for sure, every one of you, regardless of who you are and what you believe is motherhood, deserves support and resources that can help you navigate these years.

We, as millennials, are really doing things differently now. In some ways it's been beneficial, in other ways it has made things more "difficult" to manage. We often have full careers, and children born in our 30s, during a world where everything seems to be against our sanity, and are expected to navigate all of this with zero complaints. Oh, and with heading quickly into our peri-menopause years too. How, exactly, is it even possible to juggle it all and take care of your needs in a way that fills you? It's a question I have been sitting on for a while, and can only strive to continue to grow a supportive space here at Michele Renee Beauty and Cloud Nine Beauty & Wellness to foster female focused wellness initiatives (that don't feel like judgemental or preachy) as they are so needed.

Training Raeghan

One of the most meaningful parts of this past year has been mentoring Raeghan. Watching her grow in confidence and skill has reminded me of my own early days as a skin therapist. When going through applicants, we just knew that Raeghan was the right fit for what we and you need during this season. She understands the challenges of motherhood, has a creative flair (check out her art @lakesuperiormermade) and deeply connects with the challenges women are facing in their 40s including the lack of support available that feels nourishing and not patronizing. She has such a natural ability to connect with clients and brings a fresh perspective, especially in pro-aging treatments. Her signature service, Bio-Microneedling, is one of the most effective ways we can support collagen, refine texture, and strengthen the skin barrier going into fall. If you’ve ever trusted my hands for collagen support, this is the exact treatment I’d be recommending for myself right now, and Raeghan is the one I trust to deliver it with the same care I would.

When I see her performing treatments with the attention and care she takes I know you’ll feel supported, expert guided with your skin concerns, and relaxed (plus you'll leave with some seriously refined, vibrant skin to feel amazing in).

Raeghan and Michele doing a little dance

Vision for Growth

This season isn’t just about me stepping back for a little while, it’s about laying the foundation for how Cloud Nine Beauty & Wellness and Michele Renee Beauty will grow long-term.

I’ve always dreamed of creating a space that supports women in every stage of life, whether through motherhood or peri-menopause, weddings and big events, and really just life. If it's through skin health, wellness, or simply having a place where you can exhale and feel like yourself again, we are here for you. Having Raeghan step into this role allows us to serve more of you without losing the care and connection you’ve come to expect. Booking with her this fall doesn’t just give you results now, it sets your skin up beautifully as we move toward the holiday season and colder months.

A quiet shift you'll have noticed is the new member of our team - Antonia. Antonia is very familiar with the beauty industry, being a talented nail tech in town (@nails_by_antonia), and is eager to learn more about our skin treatments and how she can help serve you in your skin journey. She helps to make sure everything runs smoothly here so that your experience feels seamless and supportive. Her growth and knowledge isn't stopping at the front desk - soon she will be able to assist your skin journey through Observ Skin Analysis sessions. This means even if you’re not booking a facial, you can walk in, have your skin mapped and explained to you, and walk out with a homecare plan that’s actually tailored to what your skin needs. This piece is important, because it expands how we serve you, not just in treatment, but in helping you feel confident about your daily routine at home.

In many ways, Antonia represents what Cloud Nine Beauty & Wellness and Michele Renee Beauty are all about: women in different seasons of their lives stepping into new opportunities, learning, and being supported while they grow. Her presence here isn’t just practical, it’s a sign of where we’re heading as a collective.

The Honest Part

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous and that is feels strange to let go a bit more than I am used to (okay, a LOT more). Motherhood and business both demand a lot, and I want to show up fully for both. But what gives me confidence is knowing you’ve always been my biggest cheerleaders and will continue to support me and us here.

Your trust, whether it’s booking with Raeghan, continuing your homecare, or simply staying connected with us, means more than you know.

A Personal Ask

If you’ve been curious about Bio-Microneedling or looking for a way to refresh your skin this fall and pre-holiday season, I’d love for you to experience it with Raeghan. It’s the hero treatment I’d put you in myself this season, and her ability to deliver it with care and a dash of Raeghan fun (she will have you giggling before relaxing) is the reason I feel so confident stepping into this next chapter. Supporting her isn’t just supporting her growth, it’s supporting me, this business, and the bigger vision we’re creating together to help women feel more like themselves again at whatever crossroads they are at. Think of it as one small choice that carries a big ripple effect for all of us.

Thank you, truly, for being part of this chapter with me. I can’t wait to share the next one with you.

With gratitude, Michele

The Cloud Nine Beauty and Wellness team from Thunder Bay On. (missing Antonia) from left to right: Dr. Midori Barker, Nicole Jones, Michele Renee, Raeghan Howard, Amy Conrad, Alyssa Zimmer.