We recently connected with Sydney Hummell and have shared our conversation below.
Sydney, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My mom has always been my biggest inspiration and best example of work ethic. Growing up in a two-parent household that was often chaotic, my mom was the one who carried the team. I vividly remember her juggling so many responsibilities—for a period of time it was selling molded chocolates on eBay while holding down a full-time office job. As a kid, I would go to bed with her still up, working late into the night to complete orders. By the time I woke up the next morning, she was already back in the kitchen, not only finishing up more orders but also getting herself ready for work and making sure we kids were prepared for school. She was the one who made all the meals, fixed anything that was broken, handled the bills—she did everything.
Today, my mom owns a candy shop just down the road from my business, and it’s such a joy to be able to work in the same little community alongside her. It feels like things have come full circle, and I’m incredibly proud of the journey we’ve both been on.
Just today, I had a moment that really brought all of this into perspective. I decided to take a chainsaw to some trees on my business property, and naturally, my mom came over to help, along with her partner. It wasn’t long before I saw her ask for the chainsaw so she could do it herself, and in that moment, it hit me—“Wow, I am my mother’s daughter, and I’m so thankful for that.”
Watching her take charge in that way was such a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience she’s always shown. She’s never been one to shy away from hard work or challenges, and seeing her in action today made me realize just how much of her spirit I carry with me in my own life and business. I’m truly grateful to have her as a role model, and I feel incredibly blessed to be working side by side with her in this community.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started Wellness 360 with the goal of giving, serving, and adding value. What began as a solo venture, offering nutritional services and skin consultations, has grown into a dynamic team of 12 in-studio members, along with an additional 12 team members who work externally as part of our bridal team. While our core mission of giving, serving, and adding value has remained constant, it has expanded far beyond what I initially imagined. Today, Wellness 360 is home to a diverse group of professionals, including aestheticians, massage therapists, hair stylists, a Reiki specialist, lash artists, spray tan artists, infrared saunas, a cold plunge, and a full suite of bridal hair and makeup services—and the list continues to grow and evolve.
I never anticipated leading a team of this size or having a client base that trusts and values my guidance so much. I feel incredibly blessed to be in this position—not because of the financial rewards (trust me, as a small business owner, the margins aren’t exactly generous, lol), but because I truly love what I do, the people I work with, and the clients I have the privilege of building relationships with.
Watching our team evolve over the past six years has been fascinating. There have been countless moments where I’ve thought, “This is it. Everything is perfect. The team is perfect. This will be our life for a while, and I love it.” And then reality hits—the roof floods, a team member is caught stealing or lying, or some other wild situation arises. Each time, it’s been tough—devastating, even—and I’ve had moments where I’ve wanted to quit and find a calm, straightforward job as someone’s receptionist. But, interestingly, every time the dust settles, I find myself incredibly grateful for those challenges. Everytime, they have worked out for the better. Genuinely, every time.
I believe what makes Wellness 360 truly special is our ability to adapt to changes and meet the needs of both our team and clients. I want people to love walking through our doors, and I believe we’ve consistently achieved that, despite the occasional bumps in the road that come with business ownership. My focus is simply to create a space that feels good—for myself, my team, and our clients. There’s something incredibly special about loving the environment you’re in, and I feel so blessed to be able to cultivate that every day.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Resilience
Impact: Resilience has been crucial in navigating the ups and downs of business ownership. There were moments when things didn’t go as planned—unexpected challenges arose, and it would have been easy to give up. However, staying resilient allowed me to push through tough times, learn from setbacks, and emerge stronger.
Advice: Build your resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Don’t be afraid to fail, because each failure teaches you something valuable. Cultivate a mindset that views obstacles as temporary and surmountable. If Gods your thing, remembering that a plan exists beyond what you’re capable of knowing- can really help with that!
2. Integrity
Impact: Integrity has been the cornerstone of my business and personal journey. Making decisions based on ethical principles, even when it’s challenging, has built trust with clients, team members, and business contacts. It’s not always the easiest path, but it has been the most rewarding, ensuring that our reputation remains strong and that we attract people who share our values.
Advice: Cultivate a commitment to doing what’s right, even when no one is watching. Establish a strong moral compass and let it guide your decisions. Building a reputation for integrity takes time, but it’s one of the most valuable assets you can have in business. This doesn’t mean you’re always going to make the right choice, but being able to identify when you don’t & growing from it, brings tremendous value as well.
3.Communication
Impact: Effective communication has been pivotal in building strong relationships, ensuring clarity, and fostering collaboration. By being clear, actively listening, and showing empathy, I’ve been able to lead my team more effectively, resolve conflicts, and create a positive work environment. Good communication has not only helped in executing tasks efficiently but also in building trust and understanding with clients and colleagues.
Advice: Focus on being clear, listening actively, and communicating with empathy. Ensure your message is understood, make an effort to truly listen, and consider the emotions and perspectives of others. Strong communication skills will help you connect with others, lead effectively, and build lasting, positive relationships.
** My less professional answer is be a fcking good, normal human and people will respond well to that. I feel I have had SO much success in building relationships and growing my business by simply being genuine. I’m not trying to put on a “show” for anyone, who you meet is who I will be when you see me in any setting. I think people respond well to that and it can feel refreshing in the business world!
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Biggest Obstacle: My biggest obstacle as a business owner right now is learning to let go of control. For a long time, I believed that every detail of the business, from the client experience to day-to-day operations, had to be managed directly by me to ensure success. The pressure of trying to control every aspect of the business was overwhelming and, up until recently, I didn’t realize how much it was taking over my life.
How I’m Overcoming It: The turning point came when I realized that this approach was unsustainable and was affecting my well-being. I began embracing the philosophy of “let go, let God.” This mindset shift has been transformative for me. It’s about understanding and accepting that not everything is within my control—and that’s okay. I’ve started to trust the process more, confident that I’ve built a solid business with a strong foundation and good intentions.
By letting go of the need to control every detail, I’ve found a new sense of mental peace. I’m now more comfortable and confident in the business I’ve built, recognizing that there is a plan bigger than myself at play. This shift has allowed me to delegate more effectively, trust my team, and focus on the broader vision for the business rather than getting bogged down by the minutiae.
This approach has not only improved my quality of life but has also made me a better leader. By stepping back, I’ve empowered my team to take ownership of their roles, which has led to more innovation and growth within the business. It’s also helped me to be more present and engaged with my clients, team members,friends, and family rather than being overwhelmed by the constant pressure of trying to control every outcome.
Ultimately, this journey of letting go has been about finding balance—realizing that while it’s important to have high standards and a clear vision, it’s equally important to trust in the systems, processes, and people I’ve put in place. By embracing the idea that I can’t control everything and allowing myself to trust in a bigger plan, I’ve found the peace and mental clarity necessary to sustain the business in the long term. This mental peace is crucial for maintaining a higher quality of life as a business owner, especially when dealing with the weight of the business’s success every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: wellness360solutions,com
- Instagram: wellness360___
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wellness360Solutions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-hummell-711307154/
Image Credits
Brittany Sue Photography LLC
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