Help Shelly Get Back In Business!

Hello, my name is Shelly Chaplin, and I am asking for help to restart my skin care business that I lost at the beginning of the pandemic.

I have been a licensed Esthetician for almost 24 years, as well as a Healing Touch provider and Reiki Master. I am an expert in advanced skin therapies, specializing in non-invasive age management treatments. I help people feel and look beautiful from the inside out. I had just opened a beautiful skincare studio in January of 2020 after spending months planning and two months renovating the space. I have Multiple Sclerosis; the pandemic shut everything down two months later; I knew I was in big trouble if I could not safely perform facials with someone six inches from my face without a mask. Getting any virus can wreak havoc on my immune system, and I always guard my health fiercely. When the reality of what we were dealing with set in, and the uncertainty of how it could impact my health, I had to make one of the most agonizing decisions of my life, close the business and lose everything I had been working so hard on for months. It was my health over the business. Without our health, we have nothing. Before I made that decision, I tried everything in my power to hang on and ride it out. I applied for PPP loans three times and did not qualify because of only being open for a few months. Finally, I had to surrender and know it was out of my control.

January 2020 I transformed a dark law office in a historic house into a light and airy sanctuary. Little did I know how short my time would be in this space.

This was the second time in my life and business that I had to surrender and let go. I owned a beautiful craftsman cottage in Hudson, WI and had built out a skin care studio in my home, my third studio. Then, I had a sudden acute neurological event that led to my diagnosis of MS. I had no health insurance being self-employed, and I lost my house and business.

I stabilized my heath, picked myself up and moved back to Minneapolis. I got my teaching license as an Esthiology Instructor through the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology and was an Esthiology Educator at the world-renowned Aveda Institute Minneapolis for six years. It was an incredible privilege and honor to share my expertise with my students, an experience I would not trade for anything. I always knew I wanted to have a business again, and the studio I opened in January of 2020 was my comeback.

January 2020 I curate only the best professional skincare products and devices for my clients.

Living alone during a pandemic with an autoimmune condition has been one of the most challenging and isolating experiences I could have never imagined. It has been so profoundly humbling and an incredible time of growth and healing. I am super grateful I have stayed healthy, and my dog Humphrey has been my constant companion. I couldn’t have done this without him. I’m constantly working on my craft and adding to my esthetic certifications, and I took several courses during the pandemic. I also worked with a business development program through the State of MN and revised my business plan to move forward. I finally felt like I could see the light at the end of the tunnel coming out of this. Then, a few months ago, the duplex I have been renting and living in for eight years sold. I am being forced to move. I thought that was going to break me. I was not financially prepared to move at this time and in this market. I could not imagine moving my senior 14.5-year-old dog. It also felt like another massive setback in getting back in business. I thought my dreams of business had just died with the pandemic. I was really depressed when this new challenge happened. I hoped something bigger was on the other side, but I could not see it.

A few weeks ago, I was presented with an opportunity to lease a gorgeous space that could house my skin care business in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis. It is my dream neighborhood, a dream location. I lived in Linden Hills for about ten years, and it was the best time in my life. I always dreamed of moving back and having a business there; it would be the perfect location to support a skin care and wellness studio. I was not actively looking for studio space as my priority was finding a place to live. I thought if I could find housing within two miles of there, I would try everything I could to make it work. Within a few days, I found a place to live a 1/2 block from the studio space I would like to have! It all feels too good to be true, but I think all my prayers are being answered.

This is why I am here. I can’t financially do this alone and need help to make it all happen. So I need to act quickly to secure the space by August 1st. The money received from your generous donations would be used for working capital for four months of rent to get up and running, deposits, salon license, products, getting the space outfitted for my business needs;(i.e., shelving, lighting, furniture, installation) and moving expenses.

It is hard for me to ask for help, especially with everything happening in the world. But, I have a gift for creating healing spaces, skin therapy and energy healing are my passion and purpose in helping others. This would be a life-changing opportunity for me to get back on my feet, continue what I started two years ago, and be able to give back in these times. I believe in paying it forward.

As a gesture of gratitude for helping me launch my skin care studio, I would offer a credit toward a service with me for donation.

$20.00 for contributions from $20 to $50.00

$30.00 for contributions from $50.00-$99.00

$50.00 for contributios $100 and over

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I can’t express enough how much this means to me, and how much I appreciate you! If you are not able to help me, I truly understand. If you could share this, I would be so grateful.

With Love and Gratitude,

Shelly (and Humphrey)