Embracing Holistic Healing_ The Inspiring Journey of Ida Fanelli, Aesthetician, Reflexologist, and IPL Technician

1. Embracing Holistic Healing: The Inspiring Journey of Ida Fanelli, Aesthetician, Reflexologist, and IPL Technician Ida Fanelli, a self-employed aesthetician, reflexologist, and IPL technician, embodies resilience and passion in her 30-year-long holistic aesthetics career. With a foundation in the medical field and a love for natural healing, she has built “Esthetics by Ida,” a successful home-based business offering personalized services. From overcoming career challenges to sharing health-focused insights through social media and publications, Ida continues to inspire and empower her clients with a blend of aesthetics and wellness. Background and Journey: Can you share a brief about you and an overview of your professional journey and how you ventured into your current business domain? Also, please share your background as well. I was born and raised in the Italian culture and eventually married a honey farmer. We are down-to-earth people who enjoy outdoor sports and nature. We run separate businesses from the same home, and overlapping appointments require patience as our businesses interfere. My original aspirations directed me to the health field. Since the early ’80s, I analyzed body fluids in the medical laboratory, working with complicated

2. computerized devices. Maintaining a proper work-life balance wasn’t easy because it involved much shift work that impaired my sleep cycle. In 1993, government cutbacks forced the hospitals to eliminate my career, and I was forced to rethink my purpose in life. What motivated or inspired you to pursue a career in Holistic Aesthetics, Reflexology, and IPL Treatments? I was introduced to the holistic world when a friend influenced me to enroll in a reflexology course. I added the aesthetics program to my credentials later as it complemented reflexology. I looked forward to working directly with people and less machinery. The stress of losing my job caused some health problems, so I sought the help of a naturopath. He influenced me to learn and use the Zanqara Holistic skincare line I still use today. Self-employment allowed me to choose services I was interested in and be my own boss. Hence, “Esthetics by Ida” is a home-based business that began in 1994. Since I lacked health care benefits, I proactively became my own advocate. I researched foods and techniques to help me with various health issues. Years later, I needed to learn energy-healing techniques when tragic events occurred. Key Accomplishments: What do you consider your most significant achievements or milestones in your career? I began writing my Facebook post for my business page in 2019, and my number of followers increased. I noticed a need to inform people on specific topics outside of aesthetics. I added my interest in health to that of the personal care business. Clients would comment on how they liked reading them. Curiosity led me to research and learn new topics. In 2022-23, I updated and added informative social media posts to my blog and Medium to make them more visible. This made it easier for me to give the information to the appropriate clients. Brainz magazine contacted me because they liked my Instagram page. They interviewed me via Zoom and invited me to be an executive contributor in September 2023. I share informative articles on how my experience and knowledge helped my family with health issues, first aid, and comparative analysis of different ingredients. Since I made my articles more public, interest in my endeavours has increased. I’m also celebrating 30 years of business this year! I’m also proud of my YouTube video demonstrating sustainability: “ Challenges and Learnings:

3. What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? Later on in my career, I injured each of my shoulders and experienced nerve pain in my upper leg from repetitive motions. Thanks to therapy and a good diet, I recovered quickly. The medical profession promptly helped me with an overactive heartbeat problem I faced. It’s no longer an issue. Covid was my biggest challenge. The public was skeptical of the safety of patronizing salons. Government legislation restricted all personal care salons from operating for months. I focused on making my business more resilient toward the eventual reopening by redecorating my salon and adding copper and UV light because they had antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties. I informed people about copper’s biocidal qualities on a blog and offered different ways to utilize them. – on my YouTube video “Copper Foils Germs. I also created a better website on Wix.com. Additionally, I added the Dolphin Neurostim MPS and Dolphin Vagalstim VNS, which Health Canada approved for treating Long Haulers COVID-19 to protect myself. I utilized my facial anatomy knowledge of the lymphatic system to demonstrate lymphatic facial massages to help people deal with respiratory ailments Innovation and Vision: Could you discuss your vision for the future of your business or the industry? The medical profession directly influences the aesthetics field. Aestheticians have knowledge that can benefit more than cosmetic skin care. I’d like to see aestheticians recommended for helping people with surface skin injuries that are difficult to heal. I’ve heard stories suggesting doctors do not focus on this very much. I plan to continue running my business for as long as I can. I don’t have any immediate changes in mind at the moment. What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2024? I will continue to be physically active in my salon and continue to write more articles. Soon, I’ll enroll as a senior-level contributor at Brainz magazine. The more you do, the more you can do. =