What happens when you hit rock bottom at 19 – a college dropout, no job, and a "prison girlfriend"? Desiree Marhofer's raw and inspiring journey on the COS Business Podcast is one you won't forget. Learn more about Des Marhofer and Beautiful You Skincare Academy: Website: https://beautifulyouskincareacademy.com/ 0:00 - Welcome & Sponsor (Prolift Garage Doors) 00:52 - Desiree's Early Life: No Dream of Entrepreneurship 01:23 - Struggling Through High School & The Pressure of College 02:21 - The Influence of a "Boy" & Dropping Out of College 03:37 - Falling into an Abusive Relationship & The Assault at 19 04:31 - Attempting a Fresh Start in Fort Collins & Struggling Again 06:15 - Back with the Abuser: The "Prison Girlfriend" 08:22 - The Pivotal Prison Visit: A Drive of Despair & A Glimmer of Hope 10:09 - "What Are You Going To Do With Your Life?" - The Abuser's Mother Speaks 12:03 - The Power of Borrowed Belief: A Life-Changing Moment 12:28 - Never Going Back: Meeting Her Husband & A New Chapter 13:29 - Becoming an Esthetician: The Start of a New Path 28:25 - Starting "Beautiful You Skincare Studio" (2009) While Pregnant 31:25 - Building from 30 Brow Clients to a Six-Figure Solo Business 34:40 - The Struggle: Solo vs. Hiring a Team 36:40 - The Recurring Pain: Training Staff Who Would Ultimately Leave 38:00 - The Ultimate Betrayal: Losing Her "Rockstar" Esthetician Days Before Maternity Leave 41:33 - "I Will Never Experience This Again": The Birth of the Academy Idea During Maternity Leave 46:29 - The Shocking Eviction: Losing Her Business Location with 45 Days Notice 50:47 - The Hard Decision: Closing the Original Studio to Save and Prioritize the Academy 53:17 - Finding New Purpose: The Academy's Mission to Empower 55:43 - Looking Back: How Adversity Built Resilience and Grit 01:00:16 - Desiree's Advice to Her Younger Self 01:02:00 - The Core Message of Self-Love and Believing You're Capable 01:06:50 - Where to Find Desiree Marhofer (Beautiful You Skincare Academy) 01:07:02 - Podcast Wrap-up & Call to Action If this story resonated with you, please give this video a thumbs up 👍, leave a comment sharing your biggest takeaway, and subscribe to the COS Business Podcast for more inspiring entrepreneurial journeys! Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@ColoradoBusinessPodcast Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1jSQ8OQSi0rprCcxTGx0KB?si=hpkxA-nkQOWSs6uBf7dYbg Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/colorado-springs-business-podcast/id1492740546 Follow the COS Business Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cos.bizpodcast/ #COSBusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStory #OvercomingAdversity #TraumaSurvivor #BeautyIndustry #SkincareAcademy #FemaleEmpowerment #Resilience #Mindset #ColoradoSpringsBusiness #InspirationalStory #NeverGiveUp