We recently had the chance to connect with Mariah Holden and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Mariah , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Thank you so much for inviting me back!!—it truly means a lot.
Last time we connected, you knew me as Mariah, the owner of Caleigh Ann Esthetics. But some exciting things have happened on top of that, since.
It’s always been hard for me to feel proud of myself, but recently that’s started to shift. One of my proudest moments was using my platform through Caleigh Ann Esthetics to help grow the nonprofit I founded, Mama Means Business. With the help of my amazing team and the support of my incredible community, we raised thousands of dollars to support local schools and kids during back-to-school season. It was such a full-circle moment. I come from very little, and being able to give back in ways I once only dreamed of—to help families in situations I’ve personally been in—is an indescribable feeling. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. Knowing that my business and the MMB nonprofit can be a source of hope and impact has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. While I’ll always be an Esthetician, this opportunity has shown me, my heart also belongs in charity work and building others. I know what’s its like to be down, and I dont want anyone to feel that way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Mariah Holden—licensed esthetician, former educator, and the founder of Caleigh Ann Esthetics Co. and Mama Means Business Inc. My journey began with a deep love for skin, science, and helping women feel like their best selves. At Caleigh Ann Esthetics, I specialize in corrective skincare with a barrier-first, science-meets-nature approach. Every facial is customized and results-driven, but it’s never just about skin—my goal is to restore confidence and empower each client from the inside out.
What makes my brand unique is that I blend my educator background, advanced certifications, and deep community roots into everything I do. I’ve lived here my whole life, and now I’m raising my daughter here too—so creating impact where I live means everything. That’s why I started Mama Means Business, a nonprofit networking group for local moms juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship. Although we just started as a networking group, We’re building something powerful & became a non profit.
We are village for women who often feel like they’re doing it all, alone.
Right now, I’m working on expanding both of these platforms—continuing to deliver transformative skin results while pouring even more energy into MMB and the women it supports. Whether it’s through a facial, a workshop, or a networking event, my mission is to uplift, educate, and remind women they are worthy of care and community. Sometimes it gets heavy juggling it all, but I simply couldn’t do it without my support system. From my husband and my right hand girl, my MMB Vice President, Melissa Wise.
I couldn’t be more thankful for the support of such incredible board member, admin and group members.
Each member of MMB holds a special place in my life, and all I want is to see each and every one of them win, and feel supported. Together, we thrive.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
This one really hits home—and I hope someone out there who needs to read this, see this.
As a child, I believed that where I came from would always define me. I grew up with a single mother who did her absolute best but constantly struggled. My father was in and out of prison for most of my life. Addiction, financial hardship, and broken systems were all around me—and most of my family didn’t even finish high school. I was the first to shift that pattern, but I carried so much guilt and struggled deeply with feeling worthy.
For a long time, I thought success, happiness, and peace just weren’t meant for people like me. But over time—and with a lot of healing—I realized that where you come from does not dictate where you’re going. You can rewrite your story. You can become the version of yourself your inner child needed. And if you’re a parent like me, your kids deserve to see that transformation, too. Finding the Chapel, really helped me realize, my story has already been rewritten & im deserving. My story, will one day be a testimony..
Now, I carry that truth into everything I do—with Caleigh Ann Esthetics, with Mama Means Business Inc., and in how I raise my daughter. I’m not just breaking cycles. I’m building something stronger and want all women, youthful and teens to realize they can too.
Where you came from, does NOT determine where you are going.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Your pain now, turns into purpose & it stops with you.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Oh, this is a good one—because I’ve seen it from both sides.
In the world of esthetics, one of the biggest lies is that your education ends after graduation. The truth is, school barely scratches the surface. Skin is the body’s largest organ—constantly changing, deeply connected to internal health, hormones, environment, and more. Thinking you can use the same routine on every client is not just outdated, it’s a disservice.
At Caleigh Ann Esthetics, I’ve made it my mission to stay in continual education, invest in advanced certifications, and tailor every treatment based on each client’s real, evolving needs.
For Mama Means Business Inc- the biggest myth I hear is that women can’t be both active, present mothers/wives (etc) and successful business owners. But we’re flipping that script. We have moms and women in every season of life, and what unites us is the power of choosing what’s best for both our families and our businesses—on our terms. Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of motherhood. In fact, motherhood often fuels our drive to build something even more meaningful.
We’re breaking the norm, this isn’t 1950.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Letting go of the idea that my dreams are “too big”—especially when it comes to Mama Means Business Inc. I’m planting seeds in this community that I know won’t fully bloom overnight. Creating a supportive, lasting village for moms in business is generational work. It’s not just about networking—it’s about rewriting what motherhood and success can look like when we’re truly supported and follow our own dreams, not societies.
And with Caleigh Ann Esthetics, the long-term payoff is in the boundaries I’ve learned to set. In the past, I sacrificed precious family time trying to squeeze in more clients and grow faster. But I’ll never get these years back with my daughter—and one of the biggest reasons I became an entrepreneur was to have the freedom to be a mom first.
Over the last year, I’ve created firm working hours, and I continue to honor that balance. It might slow down growth in the short term, but I know it’s building a sustainable life and business rooted in what matters most. In 7–10 years, I hope my daughter will see that I chose both purpose and presence—and that she can, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://caleighannesthetics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamameansbusinessnetworking?igsh=dGpoY3NybmYwZ3A=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/445932664987088/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
- Other: Booking Site: https://caleighannestheticsco.glossgenius.com/
MMB TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mamameansbusiness_mmb?_t=ZT-8yJJu3gmT1R&_r=1
Image Credits
Headshot & MMB Event Photo: Reflections Photography
HMUA: Wise Beauty Co
MMM Admin Photo: Ivory and Light Photography
HMUA: Wise Beauty Co
