Meet Aja Blanco

We recently connected with Aja Blanco and have shared our conversation below.

Aja, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience has been shaped by a series of transformative experiences, both personal and professional. After graduating with a degree in Sports Management, I spent some time in the corporate world, but after a couple years, I realized it wasn’t fulfilling. My true calling emerged as I dealt with years of major sports injuries, which led me to develop a deep fascination with anatomy and a desire to help others with chronic pain. These personal challenges translated into a passion for holistic healing, so I shifted my focus to massage therapy. This opened up a world of holistic practices and made me acutely aware of what I was putting into my body and on my skin.

Unable to find clean, effective products for my own family, especially after my children had sensitivities to commercial products, I began experimenting with creating my own. After years of creating my own soap and skincare I decided to enroll in a UK Organic Skincare Formulation course, I gained the knowledge to create safe, clean, and effective products that meet European standards. This eventually led to the creation of Surly Girl Soap and Skincare Co., where I could provide safe, natural skincare that aligned with my values. Surly Girl became my way of not only helping others but also offering products that were truly beneficial for all skin types.

In September of 2023, I co-founded Seed & Soothe Holistic Studio with my friend and business partner, Katherine Rickershauser. Our studio is unique in its approach, combining clinical massage therapy with Eastern healing practices to create customized treatments for our clients. We blend both modalities to treat the body as a whole, focusing on relaxation and healing. The studio is a reflection of our commitment to promoting wellness in a balanced and integrative way, offering a space for people to experience real healing beyond traditional treatments.

Both Surly Girl Soap Co. and Seed & Soothe reflect the resilience I’ve built through my journey—from overcoming personal health challenges to creating businesses that help others lead more balanced, healthy lives. Resilience, for me, isn’t just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about using those experiences to create something meaningful and transformative.

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?

At Surly Girl Soap & Skincare Co., we craft a variety of products—from skincare and soap to wellness formulas like our Magnesium Cream for muscle relief and better sleep, and the Chill the F* Out** Vagus Nerve Formula, which helps manage stress and fight-or-flight responses. These products were created out of my own need for clean, effective solutions, and I’ve found many others share similar needs.

This year, we’re excited to roll out our botanical treatment menu at Seed & Soothe Holistic Studio, where we’ll be incorporating Surly Girl products into our therapeutic services. This integration will enhance our clinical massage treatments, combining the power of Eastern and Western modalities with the healing properties of our handmade, nature-based formulas. We look forward to offering a truly holistic experience for our clients that supports relaxation, healing, and wellness.

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

Looking back, I believe the three most impactful qualities in my journey were empathy, authenticity, and determination. Empathy allows me to understand and connect deeply with others, which has been invaluable in both my massage therapy work and in formulating products that meet real needs. Authenticity has kept me true to my values, as people trust you when you show up as yourself. Determination, or being an inexorable force when pursuing something you’re passionate about, has driven me through the inevitable challenges that arise.

For those just starting out, my advice is simple: be empathetic, embrace who you are, and stay determined, no matter what obstacles arise. Trust that the challenges are part of your growth.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

This past year, my biggest area of growth has been learning how to set boundaries with my time. I’ve had the privilege of wearing many hats, from running two businesses and working with a steady massage clientele to putting together retreats and vending at events. Balancing it all, while ensuring I’m present for my kids, has been a challenge. My children, aged 10 and 12, need me, and I want to be there for them—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

I’ve learned that while I love being busy, I can’t do it all. Time is precious, and I want to cherish the moments I have with my family. With the support of my husband, Ted, who has taken on much of the household and childcare responsibilities, I’m now focusing on a more balanced approach. I’ve had to pull back on my massage therapy hours, rethinking my work schedule so that I can still serve my clients as well as make and create products but also carve out space for my family and personal time. This year has taught me that managing these businesses is not just about being busy—it’s about being present.

Moving forward, I want to make sure I’m not just working nonstop, but also living in the moment with the people I love while also making time for self care. I’ve always been big on practicing what I preach and in the latter half of the year, my self care routine fell by the wayside. For 2025, I have a renewed focus on finding that balance, being more intentional with my time, and being fully present in all aspects of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.surlygirl.com
• Instagram: @surlygirlsoap
• Facebook: Surly Girl Soap
• Other: www.seedandsoothehs.com
  Instagram: seed.and.soothe
  Facebook: Seed and Soothe Holistic Studio

Image Credits

Photos by Ted Blanco