Meet Esther Andries

We recently connected with Esther Andries and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Esther, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience, for me, was created in the process of losing everything… twice.

I’m originally from Belgium, and by my mid-twenties, I had already built and sold a wellness cafe, launched a supplement brand, and published a cookbook. When I moved to LA, it felt like the dream was unfolding, until it wasn’t. Within a year, I lost my business, my marriage, and the sense of stability I had worked so hard to create. I found myself starting over from scratch, in a new country, with no income and no clear roadmap.

But I’ve always believed that if you really want something, and you stay consistent and persistent, you’ll find a way.

Eventually, after hearing “you’ll just have to move back to Belgium” about 12 times, I met one immigration lawyer who actually took the time to hear my story. She told me I had more than enough experience to apply for an O1 visa for extraordinary ability in business, and that changed everything. It reminded me that the impossible often just needs a different approach… and someone who sees what you’re capable of.

Resilience – to me – is about choosing, again and again, to bet on yourself, especially when it would be easier to give up. Today, I run a branding agency in LA, host wellness-forward founder events, and coach entrepreneurs on how to rebuild their business and their energy though wellness and AI: by working smarter, not harder.

What felt like a breakdown became the breakthrough I didn’t know I needed. And I’m living proof that you can start over, come back even stronger, more aligned, and more you than ever.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a wellness and business coach, branding strategist, and founder, and everything I do is rooted in helping people heal, grow, and build a life and business that actually feels good.

What makes my work unique is that it was born out of real-life breakdowns, and the tools I used to rebuild myself and my business. About three years ago, I went through a deeply challenging chapter, and instead of spiraling, I leaned into the wellness practices I’d been studying and using for years. Nervous system support, daily rituals, mindset work – they helped me avoid being consumed by trauma and instead come out more grounded, clear, and empowered. That healing journey is what inspired Glow From Within: a 30-day digital reset for women going through transitions. It’s my most personal offer, and it’s helped so many women come back to themselves during transformational seasons.

I also run Aestetik Agency, a creative agency based in LA that started with a strong focus on branding, content, and marketing for wellness and lifestyle brands. Over time, though, the agency has naturally evolved. As I’ve embraced smarter systems and new technologies in my own business, I’ve started guiding my clients to do the same. We’re now slowly pivoting into deeper consulting around AI-powered tools: helping founders streamline their operations, create more space, and build businesses that are efficient and aligned.

Alongside that, I host Aestetik Connections: intimate, values-driven events for founders in LA that center on real conversations, aligned networking, wellness and community that actually feels good.

At the heart of everything I do is this belief: You can start over. You can heal. And you can build a business that supports your well-being, not the other way around.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Being social and building genuine connections.

Honestly, my ability to connect with people has been one of my biggest business superpowers. From launching my first ventures in Belgium to rebuilding in LA, every major opportunity, from brand deals to legal breakthroughs, came through relationships. If you’re just starting out, don’t underestimate the power of your network. Go to events, DM people you admire, offer value before asking for anything. Business becomes so much more easeful when you’re surrounded by the right people, and that starts with you being brave enough to connect.

2. Consistency (especially when things get hard).

There’s no way around it, at some point, life will throw a curveball. What’s always pulled me through is showing up anyway. Whether I was dealing with business setbacks, personal heartbreak, or total uncertainty, I made it a point to stay consistent; with my routines, my vision, and my work ethic. My advice? Don’t wait for perfect conditions to take action. Be the person who keeps going when it’s hard. That’s how you build something real.

3. Being flexible and unafraid of change.

If the past few years taught us anything, it’s that things can change in a moment. One of the skills that’s served me most is being able to adapt quickly, whether it was shifting from in-person business to e-commerce, or now pivoting my agency into AI-powered consulting. The founders who thrive aren’t the ones with rigid five-year plans, they’re the ones who can respond, reframe, and reinvent. So stay open. Your next opportunity might look nothing like your original plan, and that’s a good thing.

No matter what path you’re on, the real key is to keep evolving, personally and professionally. That’s where the growth lives.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I’m overwhelmed, I don’t try to push through anymore, I know that just makes it worse. Inside Glow From Within, I talk a lot about recognizing overwhelm for what it is: a signal that your system needs a reset. So instead of spiraling or numbing out, I come back to a few key things that actually work:

1. Step away and reset my nervous system.

The first thing I do is stop, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. I either go for a walk without my phone or lie down with my legs up the wall and focus on deep breathing (I love the box breathing technique). It calms my nervous system fast and helps me come back to a more grounded place. You can’t make clear decisions when your body is in fight-or-flight.

2. Go back to your non-negotiables.

When everything feels like too much, I return to the habits I know work for me: hydration, sunlight, and five minutes of writing in my journal. Even one sentence like “What do I need today?” can shift my whole mood. These are what I call “anchor habits” in Glow From Within.

3. Journal everything that’s spinning in your head.

I take out a notebook and just write it all down, no filter. To-do’s, worries, things I’m overthinking. That mental unload is everything. From there, I ask myself: What’s one small thing I can get done today? Not everything, just one thing. That small win is what creates momentum.

4. I talk it out — with my AI wellness assistant.

One of the coolest tools I’ve built recently is a custom GPT that knows my health history, mindset patterns, and even my blood work. When I feel stuck or overwhelmed, I literally open a chat with it and talk things through. It helps me process emotions, find patterns, and get clarity without judgment. It’s like having a super smart, wellness-trained best friend right in your back pocket.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Dorothee Dubois – The Fresh Light
Tiffany Le
David Plas

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