From Booked and Busy to Balanced: Pivoting to Passive Income in the Beauty Industry

In the beauty industry, being “booked and busy” is often celebrated as the ultimate achievement. Back-to-back clients, group classes packed with eager students, and a fully booked calendar can feel like validation of your success. For years, that was my reality—and I loved it.

But as life changes, so do our priorities. After a decade in the industry, I realized that while being constantly busy had its rewards, it wasn’t sustainable. Transitioning away from the chair, reducing client and student sessions, and creating Elevated Image Suites allowed me to generate passive income and reclaim my time.

What I didn’t expect, though, was how much I’d miss the validation of being needed. Adjusting to my new norm has been a journey of rediscovery, self-reflection, and finding happiness in this next phase of my career.

1. The Challenges of Letting Go of "Booked and Busy"
For years, my schedule was packed with clients and students. Teaching group classes and mentoring aspiring beauty professionals, speaking at conferences gave me a sense of purpose. The immediate feedback—the smiles, the thank-you messages, and even the Instagram tags—was incredibly fulfilling.

Moving to Indiana to focus on family, and in turn transitioning away from that wasn’t easy for me.

• Validation Shift: I had to adjust to not having the constant reassurance that comes from client praise or seeing a class full of students hanging on my every word.
• Identity Shift: For so long, I was “Kelz, the pmu girl and instructor.” Transitioning to a landlord and entrepreneur managing Elevated Image Suites meant redefining my role in the industry.
• Time on My Hands: Ironically, the extra time I’d worked so hard to create felt somewhat uncomfortable. I found myself wondering, “Am I doing enough?”

2. Why I Made the Pivot
My decision to pivot wasn’t made on a whim—it was driven by necessity and foresight.

• A Changing Life Stage: As a single mother and disabled veteran, I needed more flexibility. During Covid-19 family and personal goals shifted, we moved across the country, my son was starting school and I wanted to be there in ways I couldn't when nurturing a full clientele/student load.
• Building for the Future: Coming from an era of gatekeeping I wanted change and recognized a need for courses beyond beauty school. This is also how I began to realize the importance of diversifying my income. I started creating online courses before the pandemic disrupted our industry and exploring ways to generate revenue that didn’t depend on trading hours for dollars.
• Recognizing the Need for Suites: Pre- Elevated Image Suites, I had booth rented and allowed my alumni to rent from me part-time in a regular salon setting. I saw the growing demand for independent spaces long before suites became popular. When COVID hit, the shift became undeniable and when I happened upon the perfect location on accident I knew it was time.
• Creating Elevated Image Suites: Many beauty professionals want to work for themselves, and the traditional salon hiring model slowed down significantly. Suites provide a solution for those seeking flexibility and autonomy. When I launched the suites, it was a leap of faith. I was stepping away from the familiar grind to create something that would allow other beauty professionals to grow their businesses while giving me the ability to create passive income. 

3. The Beauty of Passive Income
Passive income has been a game changer. Owning Elevated Image Suites allows me to focus on long-term growth instead of the day-to-day hustle. It’s given me:

• Flexibility: I can structure my days around my son’s schedule and have more time for myself.
• Stability: Suite rentals provide consistent income without requiring me to work around the clock.
• Freedom to Explore: With more time on my hands, I’ve been able to focus on coaching, hosting networking events, and building my podcast and YouTube channel.

But passive income doesn’t mean doing nothing. Managing a suite business requires effort—maintaining the space, supporting tenants, and handling business logistics. It’s a different kind of work but aligns with my current goals and schedule as I tailor it that way.

4. Finding Happiness in the New Norm
Adjusting to this new phase of my career hasn’t been without its challenges, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Here’s how I’ve found balance:

• Redefining Success: I’ve learned to measure success not by how busy I am but by how aligned my work is with my life goals. Success now looks like being present for my son while still growing my empire.
• Focusing on Impact: Instead of teaching large classes, I now coach beautypreneurs one-on-one and through specified goal oriented programs. The impact feels deeper, and I can focus on quality over quantity.
• Celebrating Progress: Whether it’s a new tenant signing a lease, a new coaching client, or a small milestone like posting to my youtube channel or podcast, I’ve learned to appreciate every step forward.
• Embracing Change: The industry and my life have changed so much in the past decade, but instead of resisting, I’ve learned to embrace it. Every pivot has brought me closer to the life I envisioned.

5. Lessons Learned from a Decade in the Industry
Looking back, here are a few key takeaways from my journey:

• Adaptability is Key: The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and so are our personal lives. Being willing to pivot is what keeps you relevant and fulfilled.
• Passive Income is Power: Building streams of income that don’t rely on you being physically present is essential for long-term success.
• Your Why Will Guide You: My “why” has always been my son and my freedom, creating a life where I can be present. Staying connected to that has helped me navigate every transition.
• It’s Okay to Miss the Old You: It’s natural to miss the energy and validation of being “booked and busy.” But there’s beauty in finding new ways to contribute and grow.

If you’re considering a major pivot in your beauty career, know that it’s okay to feel unsure and maybe even a little sad. Transitioning from behind the chair to building passive income streams is a big step—but it’s one that can bring freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment.

The beauty industry is so diverse, it isn’t just about clients and services—it’s about creating a career that works for you at every stage of your life. Whether you’re looking to scale back, level up, or simply find balance, remember that your journey is your own.

Til next time,

Kelz

 

Are you ready to take the leap? Let’s connect through my coaching program, or explore how Elevated Image Suites could be your next big move.