Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunshine Aka Sunny.
Hi Sunshine aka Sunny, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I was always drawn to the beauty industry—I just didn’t quite know where I’d fit in. In high school, I fell in love with makeup and the creativity behind it, but eventually realized I only enjoyed doing it on myself, not as a career.
After graduating in 2019, I still didn’t have a clear direction, so I chose to pursue nursing because it felt like the safest option. I quickly realized that field wasn’t for me and began exploring other paths. Toward the end of 2019, I started doing acrylic nails for fun. While I enjoyed the process, it was time-consuming and not something I could see myself doing every day.
I later switched my major to business, knowing I eventually wanted to open something of my own. Not long after, COVID hit and school went fully remote. Since hands-on learning worked best for me, I struggled with online classes. I ended up dropping out after the fall of 2020 and took a gap year to find clarity.
Esthetician school had always lingered in the back of my mind, but before fully committing, I decided to take a lashing course to see if the beauty industry was truly the right fit. That too ended up being short-lived. In late 2020, I moved to a new city with my boyfriend at the time and found myself mentally overwhelmed, struggling to figure out who I was and where my life was headed.
A few months into 2021, I went through what felt like the worst breakup possible—but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. That experience became a turning point in my life. I disconnected from the world and started diving deep into my inner struggles. I shifted my focus to discovering who I was, what I was passionate about, and what my purpose truly was.
Within a year, everything started to shift. I started to consider becoming a therapist to help others navigate their own struggles, but deep down, I knew the beauty industry was still calling me. I remembered my dream of owning a spa—and suddenly, it all clicked. The esthetics industry was where I was meant to be.
Hair removal services are what initially drew me in to take the leap. It felt like the perfect blend—helping people feel confident in their skin while also creating a safe, welcoming space where they could vent and be themselves. I enrolled in esthetics school in the summer of 2022, and early in the program, I fell in love with facial treatments. I loved supporting people’s self-care journeys while hearing the stories that shaped them. I was frequently complimented on my facial massages—clients would even fall asleep during treatments—and that’s when I realized it was the massage element I truly loved.
I knew I wanted to pursue massage therapy too, but didn’t want to overwhelm myself. I focused on completing esthetics school first and promised myself I’d revisit massage therapy when the time was right.
During my program, we had a business project required for graduation. I took it seriously—created my business name, branding, developed my services, and built out the concept. That project later became the foundation for launching my business less than a year after graduating.
When my business hit its one-year mark, I took a leap of faith and enrolled in a full-time massage therapy program—while continuing to run my business full-time. It was exhausting, but I knew the sacrifices would be worth it.
Now, nearly two years in, I’m proud to say I’ve built two careers before the age of 25. I’m both an Esthetician and a Massage Therapist, actively growing my business and helping people feel more confident, cared for, and empowered.
Looking back, I truly believe I’ve found the perfect industry—one that allows me to combine my passion for healing, connection, and self-love all through the power of self-care.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! Starting a business is much easier said than done—especially when you have no guidance on where to even begin. Since launching mine, I’ve realized that so much of entrepreneurship is about figuring things out as you go. I’m almost two years in, and I can honestly say I’m still learning something new every single day.
The early stages were especially challenging. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes research involved—making sure you meet all the legal and licensing requirements for your specific state, city, and industry. On top of that, I faced moments of imposter syndrome, anxiety, and stress, all while juggling the everyday obstacles life throws at you.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that businesses don’t grow overnight. Success takes time, patience, persistence, and a whole lot of dedication. And with the rising cost of living, sustaining a business today comes with even more pressure.
But through it all, i remind myself that life isn’t linear—and neither is business. I’ve learned to embrace the process, focus on what I can control, and give myself grace as I continue growing within this industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Aliign Spa?
I’m a Licensed Esthetician, Massage Therapist, and Reiki Practitioner based in Orange County, specifically in the city of Cypress. I offer a variety of services including Sugaring, Waxing, Massage, Facials, and Reiki. My most requested service is Sugaring, and it’s something I’ve become well-known for in my area. Clients often describe my space and i as vibrant, inviting, and educational—an authentic reflection of myself. I take pride in creating an environment where clients not only receive high-quality services but also leave feeling more informed and truly cared for. One of the best compliments I receive is that appointments feel like catching up with a friend, which is exactly the kind of comfort and connection I strive to create, especially during more intimate services. My goal is to make every client feel welcome, educated, and at ease—and over time, many of them truly do become like friends.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The characteristics that have been most important to my success are my patience and persistence. Once I have a vision, I’m fully committed to achieving it—no matter how long it takes or how difficult the journey may be. I simply don’t accept ‘No’ as an answer when it comes to my goals and desires.
I’m a firm believer that if you can think it, you can achieve it—and I’m living proof that when you consistently put in the work to better yourself, your life, and those around you, your desires will begin to manifest.
Patience and persistence aren’t just values I live by—they’re tattooed on my hands as a permanent reminder that good things don’t happen overnight, and meaningful change doesn’t happen without growth. These qualities keep me grounded, focused, and driven every day as I continue working toward creating my dream life.
Pricing:
- Sugaring Services: $10-$125
- Waxing Services: $10-$85
- Massage Services: $65-265
- Facial Services: $100-$250
- Holistic Healing: $45-$85
Contact Info:
- Website: http://aliignspa.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliignspa/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/aliign-spa-cypress
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aliignspa
