Help Sonali Empower Women with Ancient Holistic Treatments

My name is Sonali Devesh and I’m a licensed aesthetician in WNC. I have my small business of wellness spa (rented room) in Asheville that I began just one month ago on September 1st, 2024. I help women understand the importance of self-love through natural skincare and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, breath work, and relaxation. I have always believed in empowering women of all ages and ethnicities with their natural beauty that shines through their well-being.

Due to the catastrophic disasters of Hurricane Helene damage across Asheville, I have incurred losses in inventory (approximately $11,000) that was to be refrigerated/frozen and skincare equipment ($5,000) due to a short circuit. To start my small business, I invested out of pocket for the equipment, interiors, and inventory. During the crisis, my car tires have been damaged and there are no car repair shops open around town; hence, it’s difficult to travel during these times. My spa may not be operational for a while due to no power and electricity. I would have to re-invest in my machines and inventory that I lost during the hurricane.

I would like to work on re-building my wellness spa, if I have some financial support from our community. May I please request financial aid to support the re-opening of my small business and continue to provide holistic services in our community.

Growing up as an Indian girl child, I was suppressed and neglected by my family; since I wasn’t allowed to socialize with other children after school, the world of skincare and beauty became an exciting hobby. Creating concoctions from the spices, herbs, seeds, and oils available to me at home, I began making at-home face masks and eventually, equating flawless skin with homemade recipes. Over time, I began dreaming of one day owning my own spa.

At the age of 22, I was forced to marry into a joint family of ten people. Even though I dreamt of owning my wellness spa and having career goals since childhood, once married, I was forced into the kitchen, cooking and cleaning every day, leaving my career goals behind. After years of enduring abuse in India, I began saving money in hopes of starting a life of freedom for my daughter and myself.

In 2009, my young daughter and I left behind the life of emotional abuse and being confined to my in-law’s house. I sold everything I could and used all my savings to pay for my daughter's education in America. She lived here on a student visa while I went back and forth to India every four months as required by my own business visa. I immigrated from Mumbai, India in 2014 and obtained an extraordinary talent visa (O1) based upon my skincare and fashion background. Last year, I became an American Citizen as a natural progression of O1 and Green Card. Having gone through mental trauma and still rising back each time I was pushed down, I want to support women by giving them mental strength and spreading the awareness that women can bounce back and step forward with a positive approach towards life. Being from a minority community and a brown-skinned woman in our city of Hendersonville, I try to spread the message of “unity in diversity.”

It is important to me at this point in my life and my second marriage that I never go back to feeling like a "slave" again. However, as I look to the future and consider retirement and an older age, I must begin rebuilding my finances. My goal is to be financially independent and run my business while wanting to set an example for all women, especially those still in oppressed states, to rise back from any situation and be the best versions of themselves.

A financial aid would be a great support to our community as I will continue to help women heal through mental wellness by utilizing the amount donated to purchase LED LIGHT Therapy bed to alivate stress, inventory to perform the treatments and equipment to help them feel youthful and beautiful.