Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julia Echols. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Julia, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
My journey of developing confidence and self-esteem is undoubtedly rooted in my resilience, determination, and the incredible strength I’ve built over time. It likely came from a mix of experiences, challenges, and choices that shaped who I am today:
1. Adapting to Challenges: Growing up shy may have taught me how to navigate discomfort, and being a single mom of four—two with special needs—required me to step into roles that demanded courage, adaptability, and unwavering perseverance. Every hurdle I overcame added to my confidence.
2. Finding Purpose: My role as a nurse practitioner and business owner at Jewel’s Health & Wellness Center gave me a purpose larger than myself. Helping others, making a difference in my community, getting to know God, and being a role model for my children likely reinforced my belief in my abilities.
3. Balancing Multiple Roles: Juggling motherhood, entrepreneurship, and a demanding career is no small feat. Each success, big or small, likely became a stepping stone toward trusting myself more.
4. Self-Investment: Becoming a nurse practitioner and starting a business required education, hard work, and self-discipline. That process itself may have helped me realize my capability to achieve my goals despite obstacles.
5. Drawing Strength from My Children: Having children, especially those with special needs, often demands a level of patience, advocacy, and strength that I didn’t know I had. I’ve likely grown alongside them, finding ways to thrive so they could, too.
6. Owning My Journey: My transformation from a shy little girl to a confident businesswoman shows that I’ve embraced my uniqueness. Building self-esteem is often tied to realizing my own worth and no longer seeking external validation.
7. My Faith is probably the number one reason for my boldness besides my children. I built most of my confidence also by finding the boldness in knowing that I don’t do things in my own strength but God gives me the strength, faith, and boldness to do all things.
What’s amazing is that my story is still unfolding, and the confidence I’ve built is now inspiring others.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I wear many hats as a Nurse Practitioner and the owner of a MedSpa and Primary Care.
As a Nurse Practitioner:
1. Providing Comprehensive Patient Care:
• Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic medical conditions.
• Developing personalized treatment plans to meet patient needs.
• Performing health assessments, physical exams, and preventative screenings.
• Prescribing medications and treatments in line with patient care goals.
2. Specializing in Primary Care:
• Managing overall patient health, including chronic disease management, wellness exams, and preventive care.
• Building long-term relationships with patients and acting as their first point of contact for healthcare needs.
3. Delivering Specialty Services:
• Offering services such as IV Vitamin Therapy, High-Dose Vitamin C Infusions, Weight Loss Programs, Men’s Health services, and Botox & Fillers to enhance health and well-being.
• Educating patients about lifestyle changes to support their health goals.
As a MedSpa Practice Owner:
1. Overseeing Cosmetic and Wellness Treatments:
• Providing advanced aesthetic treatments like MICC injections, Botox, dermal fillers, and skin rejuvenation therapies.
• Promoting confidence and beauty through non-invasive cosmetic solutions.
2. Educating and Empowering Clients:
• Guiding clients on there overall wellness approaches.
• Offering personalized consultations to help clients feel their best inside and out.
3. Ensuring Quality and Safety:
• Maintaining high standards in all aesthetic procedures to prioritize client safety and satisfaction.
As a Practice Owner:
1. Leadership and Team Management:
• Leading a team of healthcare and aesthetic professionals to provide top-tier services.
• Training staff to deliver exceptional patient care and adhere to safety protocols.
2. Business Development:
• Building and growing Jewel’s Health & Wellness Center to serve a diverse community.
• Managing the operational and financial aspects of the practice, including compliance with healthcare regulations.
3. Innovating Services:
• Continuously adding new services (e.g., Immunity Booster IVs, Iron Infusions) to meet evolving patient needs.
• Keeping up with medical and aesthetic advancements to stay competitive and relevant.
4. Community Engagement:
• Using my platform to inspire others through my journey and commitment to patient-centered care.
• JHWC has a program in which we give back, called Take One, Bless One, where we give or customers a personal care package to bless a homeless person.
JHWC’s focus on holistic wellness, patient care, and aesthetics ensures her practice is a space where clients feel valued, empowered, and supported.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey, the three key qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that likely played a pivotal role in shaping my success:
1. Resilience and Adaptability
• Why It Was Impactful: Life as a single mom of four, with two children who have special needs, demanded a level of resilience that allowed me to face challenges head-on. Whether it was balancing motherhood with my education, navigating financial pressures, or building my business, my ability to persevere and adapt to difficult situations became a cornerstone of my growth.
2. Vision and Determination
• Why It Was Impactful: I had a clear vision of what I wanted for myself, my children, and my career. My determination to rise above obstacles—whether as a young, shy girl or as an entrepreneur—kept me moving forward. I had to remain focused and work hard, even when the odds seemed against me.
3. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
Being empathetic helped me connect deeply with both my children and my patients. My ability to listen, understand, and genuinely care for others allowed me to build strong relationships and trust—both in my personal life and as a healthcare provider.
A few examples are:
• Advocating for my children’s needs and ensuring they have the best opportunities.
• Creating a welcoming, patient-centered environment at Jewel’s Health & Wellness Center where people feel seen and valued.
• Lifelong Learning: My commitment to continually expanding my knowledge as a nurse practitioner and entrepreneur helps me stay ahead in a competitive industry.
• Leadership Skills: Managing a team, running a business, and mentoring others required strong leadership and decision-making abilities.
• Time Management: Balancing my role as a mother, business owner, and healthcare provider demanded excellent organizational skills.
These qualities didn’t just shape my journey—they became part of who I am, and enables me to overcome challenges, thrive in my field, and inspire those around me.
Here’s advice you might give to someone who is early in their journey to help them develop or improve the three key qualities that shaped your own success:
1. Building Resilience and Adaptability
• Advice:
• Embrace Challenges: View setbacks as opportunities to grow rather than obstacles. Each challenge you face strengthens your ability to handle future difficulties.
• Stay Flexible: Life rarely goes as planned, so be open to changing paths when necessary. Learn to adjust without losing sight of your bigger goals.
• Practice Self-Care: Building resilience also requires taking care of yourself—mentally, physically, and emotionally—so you can keep pushing forward.
• Practical Tips:
• Reflect on past struggles and how you overcame them to remind yourself of your strength.
• Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, or mentors who encourage you to keep going.
• Develop stress management techniques, like mindfulness, journaling, or regular exercise.
2. Cultivating Vision and Determination
• Advice:
• Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for you and create a roadmap to get there. Break big goals into smaller, manageable steps.
• Stay Focused on Your Why: Remind yourself often why you started your journey. Keeping your purpose at the forefront will help you stay motivated.
• Be Patient and Persistent: Success doesn’t happen overnight, but consistent effort over time pays off.
• Practical Tips:
• Write down your goals and revisit them regularly to measure progress and make adjustments.
• Find a mentor or role model to guide you and hold you accountable.
• Celebrate small wins along the way to keep your momentum.
3. Developing Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
• Advice:
• Practice Active Listening: Give others your full attention and seek to understand their feelings and perspectives without judgment.
• Lead with Compassion: Treat people with kindness and understanding, even in difficult situations. Empathy fosters trust and connection.
• Reflect on Your Own Emotions: Understanding your own feelings and triggers will help you relate better to others and respond thoughtfully.
• Practical Tips:
• Spend time volunteering or engaging in activities that allow you to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Practice gratitude daily to maintain a positive mindset and appreciation for others.
• Take emotional intelligence assessments or read books on the subject to strengthen your skills.
Overall Advice:
• Stay Committed to Growth: Personal development is a lifelong journey. Be open to learning from every experience, whether it’s a success or failure.
• Surround Yourself with Support: Build relationships with people who inspire you and push you to grow. Seek out mentors, peers, or even online communities that align with your goals.
• Believe in Yourself: Confidence doesn’t happen overnight, but it grows when you consistently show up for yourself, face challenges, and keep moving forward.
By focusing on these areas, they can develop the resilience, determination, and empathy needed to thrive, just as you have.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my Mom did for me is to show me what resilience was. She was the pillar of resilience and I would definitely not be who I am today without her love and encouragement all my life. She passed away October of 2022, but left me with so much of her spirit of resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jewelshydrationstation.com
- Instagram: jewelshealth_wealth
- Facebook: Jewel’s Health & Wellness Center
Image Credits
Yasmeen Grandison- Photo credit
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