Today we’d like to introduce you to Ahajanay Bolden.
Hi Ahajanay, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into this field began with something deeply personal. When my oldest child developed baby eczema, I found myself searching for answers and relief. That experience is what led me to enroll in esthetics school. What started as a desire to help my child quickly grew into a passion for helping others feel confident, cared for, and restored.
During esthetics school, I received incredible feedback from instructors and clients, and it affirmed that I had found something I was truly meant to do. But as I grew in my training, I realized that the esthetic scope had limitations on how deeply I could help people. I wanted to be able to offer more complete, hands-on care that addressed not only the skin, but the body as a whole.
On October 31, 2021, the same day I graduated from esthetics school, I made the decision to continue my education and enrolled in massage therapy school. A year later, I graduated from The Soma Institute for Massage Therapy in Chicago as my class valedictorian and was named to the President’s Honors List.
That same month, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life and relocated from Chicago to Washington, North Carolina.
After moving, I began working at a spa where I was able to refine my skills, gain hands-on experience, and grow in confidence as a provider.
In April 2024, I enrolled at Beaufort County Community College to study natural hair care, allowing me to expand my knowledge and better serve my community through a more holistic approach to wellness. While attending Beaufort County Community College, I became connected with the Small Business Center. At the time, I had no plans of becoming a business owner, but the programs and mentorship helped me develop a hypothetical business plan and introduced me to the foundations of entrepreneurship. What I didn’t realize then was that they were preparing me for what was ahead.
Shortly after, a shift in my employment pushed me to take that plan and turn it into reality.
I stepped out on faith, and Bethel Bliss Health & Wellness was born.
Within my first year of business, I was blessed to expand into two locations, serving clients in both Washington and Belhaven, North Carolina. Along the way, I was honored to receive NACCE’s Entrepreneur of the Year award, which was an incredibly meaningful recognition of my journey and growth.
Today, Bethel Bliss Health & Wellness brings together massage therapy, skincare, body contouring, and head spa treatments in one space. My mission has always been bigger than offering services. It has been about expanding access to high-quality wellness care in rural communities and creating a space where people feel seen, valued, and restored.
This journey represents faith, resilience, and purpose. What began as a mother searching for answers has grown into something far greater than I ever imagined. Today, I am not only building a business, but creating a legacy for my children and a place of healing for my community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I started with no prior business knowledge, so I had to learn everything from the ground up. I didn’t come into this with a blueprint, a financial safety net, or a background in entrepreneurship. I had to figure things out in real time, through trial, error, and faith. One of my biggest lessons was understanding that building a business is an investment and learning what it truly means to bootstrap. Every decision mattered, and every step required discipline, sacrifice, and a willingness to keep going even when the outcome was uncertain.
When I first stepped into entrepreneurship, my original plan was to open my business two to three years later. In April 2024, I enrolled in school and graduated in July 2024. In August 2024, I was introduced to the Small Business Center at Beaufort County Community College and began taking classes throughout August and September with the intention of slowly preparing myself for business ownership over time.
However, life had other plans.
In October 2024, just one month after beginning those classes, I stepped into entrepreneurship and opened my business. What I thought would be years away became my reality in a matter of months. The timing was unexpected, and starting that quickly was one of the scariest things I have ever done. The Small Business Center became a pivotal part of that transition because it gave me foundational knowledge, guidance, and support at a time when everything felt new and uncertain.
For a long time, I struggled with imposter syndrome. There were many quiet moments of doubt where I questioned whether I was capable, whether I was ready, and whether I truly belonged in the position I was stepping into. Starting from zero is a humbling experience. You are building something while still trying to build confidence in yourself at the same time.
At the same time, I was balancing the realities of my personal life. Being a single mother, raising my children, and caring for my child with autism while building a business required a level of strength I didn’t know I had. There were moments where I felt stretched in every direction, trying to be everything for everyone while still pursuing something bigger than myself. That season of my life became one of the most defining periods of my personal and professional growth.
Starting this business required me to break up with fear. Fear of failure, fear of judgment, and fear of the unknown. Those fears didn’t disappear, but I learned how to move forward anyway.
I am a firm believer in God, and I truly believe this journey unfolded exactly how it was meant to. My plan was to wait and open years later, but God’s plan was different. He pushed me into this space before I felt ready, and I had to make the decision to trust His plan over mine. While it hasn’t been easy, I am grateful that I trusted Him, because this journey has taught me more about myself than I ever could have imagined.
It has taught me resilience. It has taught me faith. And it has taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought I was.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bethel Bliss Health & Wellness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bethel Bliss Health & Wellness is a wellness spa dedicated to providing massage therapy, including medical massage, advanced skincare services, and Japanese head spa treatments, along with other specialized experiences designed to support both physical and mental well-being. From the beginning, the vision was to create more than just a place where people come for services. It was to create a space where people could disconnect, reset, and receive intentional, high-quality care that supports their overall health.
What makes Bethel Bliss especially unique is that we serve as a one-of-a-kind spa in both of our operating areas. There is no other business in either community offering the same combination of medical massage, therapeutic massage, advanced skincare, and Japanese head spa treatments under one roof. In rural areas like Washington and Belhaven, North Carolina, access to specialized wellness services is often limited, and many people would otherwise need to travel to larger cities to receive this level of care. Bethel Bliss was created to close that gap and bring elevated wellness services directly to the community.
A key part of our work is medical massage, which allows us to be part of our clients’ medical support team. Many clients come to us experiencing chronic pain, muscle tension, injury recovery, and stress-related conditions. Through medical massage, we are able to support their treatment plans, complement the care they receive from physicians and chiropractors, and help improve their quality of life. This allows Bethel Bliss to serve not only as a place for relaxation, but also as a trusted part of their wellness and recovery.
Our focus has always been on creating experiences rooted in intentional care. Whether helping someone manage stress, improve their skin health, relieve physical discomfort, or simply take a moment to breathe, each service is personalized to meet their individual needs. Clients are not treated as appointments, but as people who deserve to feel seen, cared for, and supported.
What truly sets Bethel Bliss apart is the heart behind it. This business was built from the ground up, and every detail reflects faith, resilience, and commitment to the community. In a short period of time, Bethel Bliss has grown into a trusted wellness destination and expanded into two locations, introducing services that were previously unavailable in these areas.
Brand-wise, Bethel Bliss represents opportunity, growth, and access. It represents bringing high-quality wellness services into underserved rural communities and helping redefine what self-care can look like locally. It also represents what is possible through perseverance, purpose, and belief in something greater.
Bethel Bliss is more than a spa. It is a space created with intention. Our mission is to continue expanding access to innovative wellness services while serving as a trusted partner in our clients’ health, recovery, and overall well-being.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is having time to reset and refill my cup. My rest days take the crown because they allow me to slow down, reflect, and be present. Spending time alone helps me recharge, while time with my family and friends brings balance, laughter, and a sense of connection. I also enjoy traveling and a little retail therapy, because both allow me to step away from routine and pour back into myself.
At the center of everything is being a mom. Watching my children grow into their own personalities and seeing the world through their eyes brings a level of fulfillment that’s unmatched.
Knowing that the work I do makes a difference adds another layer of purpose to my life. Being able to help people feel better, more confident, and more at peace is incredibly rewarding and reminds me that I’m walking in what I was called to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: bethelblisswellness.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethelblisshw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bethel-Bliss-Health-Wellness-LLC/61567779599765/
