From a Get Ready loan to a $18.5K term loan, Maria built Shalom Beauty Bar into a thriving studio rooted in purpose, growth, and resilience.
Maria V. Garcia, founder of Shalom Beauty Bar, built her business from the ground up—renovating, expanding, and evolving with purpose and persistence. Her story is about more than entrepreneurship; it’s about restoring confidence, creating sacred spaces, and finding wholeness—shalom—for herself, her family, and every client who walks through her doors.
Her Calling, Her Courage
Maria always had a gift for making others feel beautiful—inside and out. As an esthetician, she saw skincare not as luxury, but as healing. She started small, treating clients with care and intention from a corner of her home. Her dream was to create a beauty bar that reflected her values: faith, family, and a deep commitment to her community.
Like many entrepreneurs, she faced challenges—limited access to capital, no formal business training, and the constant balance between work and family. But she never lost sight of her vision.
A Partner in the Journey
When Maria discovered Ascendus, everything shifted. She didn’t just find funding—she found a partner who recognized her potential and helped her activate it.
Through the Get Ready program, Maria secured her first line of credit and began working closely with her Loan Consultant, Andrea, to strengthen her credit, manage cash flow, and chart a path for sustainable growth. Together, they built a plan that aligned with Maria’s goals and pace.
Maria is not only growing a successful business—she’s building the financial capacity and leadership to keep rising.
Faith and Resilience, Brick by Brick
Maria navigated each challenge with determination—from mastering new tools to balancing her career as a dental hygienist while building her business. Every obstacle became a stepping stone toward growth.
With guidance and accountability from Ascendus, she built not just a beauty bar—but a powerful model of entrepreneurial resilience.
She built Shalom.
Shalom Beauty Bar: A Space for Wholeness
Today, Shalom Beauty Bar s a full-service beauty studio where self-care meets sacred space. Based in New York, the business has been serving clients for over two years and employs two full-time and one part-time team member. Clients come for facials, lashes, and skin treatments—but leave with something deeper: a sense of peace, confidence, and empowerment. Maria’s touch is gentle, but her impact is powerful.
With strong personal credit, consistent deposits, and dedication to financial coaching, Maria graduated from the Get Ready Program and secured a $5,000 line of credit to continue growing her business.
In 2025, she reached a major milestone in her Path to Ascension: qualifying for an $18,500 term loan. With these funds, she’s investing in inventory, payroll, and new services—further strengthening her business and her impact.
She is mentoring others, expanding her services, and fully living her purpose.
The Ripple Effect
Maria’s journey uplifts more than herself. She inspires other women—especially immigrant entrepreneurs—to believe in their vision, to invest in their potential, and to build boldly. Her story shows that big impact starts with small steps—and that business can be a force for healing, dignity, and strength.
She didn’t just start a business. She started a movement.
Ascend With Us
At Ascendus, we believe that access can transform everything. We support resilient entrepreneurs like Maria with fair capital, personalized coaching, and the belief that no dream is too small to rise.
Programs like Get Ready provide a critical first step for entrepreneurs to strengthen credit, build financial management skills, and prepare for long-term growth.
As the first entry point in our Path to Ascension, Get Ready equips clients with the foundational tools—like credit-building education, cash flow coaching, and early access to capital—that help them move forward with clarity and confidence.
It’s a journey designed to meet clients where they are—and walk with them as they rise.
