Meet Ulyana Hanov

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ulyana Hanov. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ulyana , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

For a long time, I never gave myself credit for anything I achieved.
No matter what I did — from something simple to something that once felt impossible — it never felt like it counted.

When I opened my own salon studio, people congratulated me. They said, “Wow, that’s huge!”
But in my head, I thought, everyone can do that. It’s nothing special.

When I launched my first two private label products — something I used to dream about — I didn’t celebrate. Instead, I told myself,

“It’s only two products. When I have a full skincare line — then I’ll be successful. Then I’ll be good enough.”

But in reality, most people never take that step.
Most people never turn their dream into something that provides for them, supports others, and builds confidence.
I was helping people earn money, live better, travel, enjoy life — and still, I couldn’t feel fully proud.

That’s what imposter syndrome looks like:
It makes you blind to your own light.

There wasn’t a magical turning point that suddenly changed how I saw myself.
It wasn’t one moment — it was daily work.
Every single day, I had to remind myself:

“You’re doing great. You’ve built something real. You’ve created something from nothing.”

At first, it felt silly — like I was saying empty words.
But that’s because most of us grew up never hearing someone say, “I’m proud of you.”
And when you don’t hear it as a child, it doesn’t come naturally when you’re an adult.
You have to teach yourself to say it — even if your voice shakes.

Over time, those words started to feel real.
And that’s how I began to overcome imposter syndrome — not through success or milestones, but through self-recognition.

I learned that you can do something amazing and still not feel amazing — and that’s okay.
What matters is continuing to show up for yourself every day, even when that inner voice tries to convince you that you’re not enough.

Because the truth is, you are.
You’ve already done what most people never dare to do.
And the more you remind yourself of that, the more your heart starts to believe it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the owner and esthetician of Sugaring Essential Hair Removal Studio in Redondo Beach, where we offer the most organic and natural method of hair removal for all bodies.

What excites me most about what I do is creating a truly personal and comforting experience for every client who walks through my door. When I say that each appointment is individual, I genuinely mean it — I take time to listen, to feel each client’s emotions, and to make sure they never feel alone in the process. My goal is that every person leaves my studio not just smooth and refreshed, but also full of energy, love, and gratitude.

Sugaring Essential was built for those who value small businesses, personal connection, a calming atmosphere, and the confidence that comes from feeling cared for. Cleanliness, intention, and authenticity are at the heart of everything I do.

Recently, I released my own line of natural body oils, created with clean, skin-loving ingredients and no harmful additives. These oils are designed to make your skin feel silky, nourished, and radiant — while also calming your mind and restoring balance to your body.
• The Moisturizing & Healing Oil deeply hydrates, softens, and improves skin texture.
• The Ingrown & Bump Treatment Oil helps reduce irritation and smooth the skin, leaving it clear and glowing.

I also recently introduced a new treatment called V-Facial — a luxurious facial designed specifically for the intimate area. It helps treat pigmentation, ingrown hairs, and bumps, so clients can feel more confident and comfortable in their skin.

At the heart of it all, my mission is simple: to help people feel cared for, confident, and beautiful — inside and out.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been: curiosity, the desire to do, and understanding people.

First — encourage your curiosity.
Curiosity is your engine. It’s what drives you to explore, learn, and grow. Every new skill, every new idea, every improvement in your business starts with the simple question: “What if I try this?” Curiosity gives you direction, creativity, and the knowledge you need to move forward. Never silence it — follow it, because that’s where your progress and success are born.

Second — make “the desire to do” your skill.
Even when it’s hard, even when you don’t feel inspired, just keep doing. Half of your days you might not feel any motivation — that’s normal. But if at least once you felt that spark for what you’re building, it means it’s truly yours. Keep going, even on autopilot if you must, because consistency creates results when inspiration fades.

Third — learn people.
Pay attention to who surrounds you. Observe their actions and words — they tell you who truly supports you and who doesn’t. Surround yourself only with those who bring calmness, trust, and genuine energy. And remember: if something negative happens more than twice, it’s no longer a coincidence — it’s a pattern. Protect your peace and your focus.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When you feel overwhelmed — just pause.
I know it sounds simple, and maybe even scary, because your mind immediately says, “How can I stop? I have so much to do!” But trust me, that’s exactly the moment when you must pause.

When you’re in that constant rush of overwhelm, you stop being productive. You stop thinking clearly. Your emotions are exhausted, and that’s when poor decisions happen. Pausing isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom.

Even if it feels like stopping will ruin everything — it won’t. The world won’t fall apart if you take a break. In fact, that short moment of rest might save you from burning out completely.

So, breathe in. Breathe out. Step away for a moment. When you come back, you’ll think more clearly, feel more grounded, and make better decisions.
I’ve been there, and every time I chose to pause instead of push — it changed everything for the better.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sugessential.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugaring.essential
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/nbAj3EB5kN