55 - From Diagnosis to Purpose: Transformational Stories from the Innersense™ Founders Summit

Grounded Leadership and the Power of RestJoanne sits down with Yukiko Taylor, founder of Oly Curl, whose journey into the beauty industry began as a young mother determined to support her family. After stepping away to care for her daughter through a leukemia diagnosis, she eventually returned behind the chair and discovered her passion for curly hair. Now a Certified Clinical Trichologist, Yukiko blends science and artistry while sharing how rest, sleep, and quiet morning rituals have become essential to her clarity, creativity, and growth.Healing, Intuition, and Living with LessNext, Joanne connects with Leslie Menich, wellness educator, salon manager, and founder of Live On with Les, whose journey began through years of personal health challenges, including gut issues, Hashimoto’s, mold exposure, and thyroid cancer. Leslie shares how learning to listen to her body led her into clean beauty, mindfulness, and sustainable living, and how she now supports not only her clients but also her salon team in prioritizing their health. Her approach is simple and grounded. Small, consistent changes that create lasting impact.Resilience, Curls, and Showing Up AnywayThe episode closes with Victoria Ka'awa-Opiana, curl specialist and founder of Love All Curls, whose story is both powerful and deeply human. After being diagnosed with autoimmune conditions and later undergoing lung removal surgery, Victoria shares how not doing hair was never an option, so she found the tools and strength to keep going. She opens up about adapting her schedule, supporting clients through major life transitions like chemo curls, and why creating a positive, healing space in her chair matters more than ever. Visit Victoria's Love All Curls Salon in St. Louis, MissouriFollow Victoria Ka'awa-Opiana on InstagramFollow Leslie Menich on InstagramFollow Baddhare Salon on InstagramVisit Baddhare Salon in Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaVisit Yukiko's Oly Curls Salon in Olympia, WashingtonFollow Yukiko Taylor and Oly Curl on InstagramLet’s chat! [email protected] Join the Innersense™ Communityhttps://innersensebeauty.com/pages/newsletter-sign-up Let’s Stay Connectedhttps://www.instagram.com/joannestarkman https://www.instagram.com/innersenseorganicbeauty/ https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/ https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/ https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty Clean hair care & body productsUse code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salonshttps://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education