DamnitHank

I have to come clean. I don’t think I have made a good enough effort to show you what it is I set out to do with Ruhe Haus. It’s no secret, I struggle in this industry. Not just because of my image issues, but social awkwardness, fear of disappointment, on top of insecurity about my place in this industry let alone taking space in it that haunts me every day. I think that’s why I was never clear about my position on it in the first place, I was ashamed of it. Ashamed to say out loud what I really feel about certain aspects of the industry. Afraid to rock the boat by speaking my truth and experience. Afraid to miss out on opportunities lost because of my honest opinion. Chasing these things I saw as rise in career, or status, or even just association, to people and places that I didn’t actually even align with. All because I was afraid to stay mundane.

Then I got what I thought was a second chance and I got back into a familiar position; I started practicing the extraordinary knowledge I’ve acquired. I began applying what I understand to be true to ease the burden of the heavy vanity this industry can bring. And I saw the most amazing things happen. My clients softened, they started agreeing that their lines and grays are to be desired because it’s an honor to age. I saw them begin to laugh off worry and breathe through stress. They began to thrive while understanding the ease in which health and wellness collide with beauty. My clients became addicted to the sense of peace, the feeling of genuine touch and healing, my space and presence became sacred to them. It’s all I ever wanted. Not recognition, not money, and not the responsibility of overpromising and under delivering. I gave them sensible, simple, sustainable. And it worked. Appointment after appointment. They came, they relaxed, they returned. And time after time, they left with the same amount of peace.

Then the rug was swept from under me. The highest I’ve ever been, mentally, emotionally, stable. And with one unexpected assumption and expectation, it was gone. Leaving me feeling yet again unnecessary in the industry. My employer didn’t want simple, and sustainable. They wanted sales and product pushing. They needed level and minimal to prevent request. They wanted quantity over quality. In all fairness, that IS what business essentially is and runs on, this I understand. I also respect a vision and goal, even if its path didn’t include mine. But damn did it hurt. Again, stuck in a predatory business reliant on success based on playing into insecurity. The exact opposite of what I was trying to give. I gave my all and brought in quality, satisfaction, stability, and it still wasn’t enough.

Then when the opportunity to relaunch that dream came around, I thought to myself, I’ve got nothing else to lose. Until I did. Until I realized that my kids and my life couldn’t have me fail. And as you all know and understand all too well, with the inflated reality we live in, I couldn’t afford to hope and dream that people would just want peace and ease instead of recommendations and treatment plans. I found myself spiraling again into the realm of being pulled into the overpromising. Being able to live, and afford to provide for my family was asking me to have to go against my souls urge of delivering exquisite indulgent services to watered down versions of vague promises and overinflated recommendations and products.

Thankfully, the anxiety and depression kicked in a lot sooner with the burden and emphasis on yet another black vibe in my heart, social media. It’s not that I don’t love making and seeing the content, I actually enjoy the website building, tech behind the scenes, but the obsessive behavior that has consumed my life for the last two months is unhealthy. The agonizing endless battle with the algorithm, the pay to play system, the heart wrenching obsession with opening it all day just to see no engagement and stagnant numbers. Doomscrolling while comparison stole my vitality. Another bullet to the confidence, one that I just am not willing to take anymore.

So I want to reintroduce myself.

My name is Erika McGuire.

• I’m 38

• I’ve been practicing skin and hair for 20+ years.

• I don’t get Botox or invasive procedures. I Could care less which ones you have had done, do or want, I’ll support you in every level.

• I hate brand loyalty because there’s literally thousands of combinations of products of all prices that are comparable and available to everyone.

• I believe skin health is 99% lifestyle and 1% topical treatments including products

• I’ve studied extensively on the skin and hairs biology and again, I’m confidently telling you it’s 99% lifestyle

• I literally wash my face with water and a washcloth.

• My skin goals are not a reflection of what I can help you achieve. I’m totally fine with my lines, but I’ll help you diminish yours if that’s your goal.

• I believe (and have seen) most invasive procedures accelerate aging; esp done in a client with any metabolic disfunction, inflammation or imbalance.

• I also believe and have seen some invasive treatments work incredibly well; all when correctly prepped and fully educated, and in a state of balance.

• I never ever want to pressure you into thinking you have to re book or you cannot maintain your treatment success. Yes, skin cellular turnover is between 4-8 weeks depending on your conditions, age and dysfunctions; but I also don’t expect you to come to get a facial every month for the rest of your life. I’d rather educate you on ways to sustainably improve on where we leave off and my door is always open when you’re ready to return.

All of this to say, my prices are what they are because I give you quality, honesty, and respect for your time. My services are the way they are because I opened this business to bring you peace, not promises.

I’m choosing to air on the side of the industry that still believes in meeting you where you are, holding the space for you to heal, and assist your natural needs and inquisitions. I will never tell you what I think you need. I may ask you if there’s specifics you want assessed but when you step into my room, you’re there to close your eyes, breathe and just be. I’m here to remind you that you deserve the calm return to self too. I provide in a way that goes with the tone you set, you want to talk, let’s talk, but if you want to sink into the warm bed and weighted blanket and drift away to renewal, I’ll give that to you too. I just wanted to remind you all that I’m literally the worlds worst commission based salesman, I lost my job because of it; but I’m not willing to fake something I’m not. I will have tons of access to education and free assessments for you to utilize to directly ask for what you need, and I’m more than happy to send you recommendations. So just remember when you’re booking, it’s to treat your mind, your body and your soul; it’s never to fix you, because you’re not broken, damnit.

XOXO