Today we’d like to introduce you to Yadira Coello.
Hi Yadira, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Yadira, and I’m originally from Cuba. My journey in beauty and wellness started when I was just a child. It wasn’t something I planned — it came naturally, from my heart.
Growing up, my biggest inspiration was my mom. She raised my sister and me on her own, working hard every day, while struggling with a degenerative condition and emotional stress. She was constantly tired, in pain, and heartbroken, yet she was the strongest and most beautiful woman I knew.
I couldn’t stand to see her suffer, so I did whatever I could to help — emotionally, physically, and even financially. I would massage her, do her hair, and try to help her feel beautiful and loved. I remember how her energy would change — how much better she felt — and that’s when I realized: I wanted to do this for others too.
It started with my mom, but soon neighbors and classmates were asking me to do their hair, give massages, or help them feel better. I was just a kid, and sometimes I didn’t want to do it — but people started offering me money. That allowed me to help my mom even more, and I realized this gift I had could truly make a difference in people’s lives. I still remember what they would tell me: “You changed my day.”
That became my mission — to help people feel better, from the inside out.
At 18, I moved to Spain and studied beauty and wellness while working at the same time. I dreamed of opening a space in Cuba one day, but life had other plans. I met my husband — my “príncipe azul” — who encouraged me to think beyond borders. He told me, “Why only in one place? You have something special in your hands that people need everywhere.” Together, we started Yacoestética, and our journey around the world began.
We lived and worked in Mexico, then the Philippines, where I learned English and opened my first studio. I studied Thai massage at the Wat Pho temple in Thailand and continued growing. We eventually renamed the business Yacobewell, a name that reflects both wellness and movement — and one that people connect to easily.
When we moved to the U.S., I had to revalidate all my certifications — esthetics, cosmetology, massage therapy — and passed all state board exams on my first try. After working in spas for five years, I finally made the decision to go all in — and I opened Yacobewell as my own full-time business.
But Yacobewell isn’t just a spa. It’s a wellness space for the whole family. I love helping women feel radiant and strong — but I also have a special place in my heart for kids. I believe in teaching children early about self-care, body awareness, and wellness. I want them to grow up understanding that taking care of themselves is powerful and necessary — not selfish.
Yacobewell is a space where people of all ages can recharge, disconnect from stress, recover, and feel amazing — inside and out. My mission is to remind people that self-care is not a luxury — it’s a way of life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been filled with challenges, but each one helped shape the woman and professional I am today.
One of the hardest moments was leaving my mom in Cuba when I moved to Spain at 18. We were very close, and it broke my heart. But I knew that if I worked hard, I could send her money so she wouldn’t have to struggle so much. That became my motivation — to give her a better life, even from far away.
In Spain, I worked and studied at the same time, with no family around me. I was very young and trying to prove myself in a new country, in a competitive industry. It took strength, discipline, and long hours — but I never gave up.
Years later, when we moved to the Philippines, I faced one of the biggest obstacles: I couldn’t speak the language. I couldn’t find work because I didn’t speak English, and Tagalog was too difficult to learn. For the first time, I had to step back — and my husband became the only one working. He supported us financially while I focused on learning English.
That experience was very humbling. I wasn’t used to being unable to contribute — I had always worked. But I used that time wisely. I found an English course online that was used to being unable to contribute — I had always worked. But I used that time wisely. I found an English course online that was designed to take a full year — and I completed it in three months. I was determined to communicate and go back to doing what I love. And I did.
When we moved to the U.S., I had to validate all my certifications and pass state board exams in esthetics, massage therapy, and cosmetology. Even with years of experience, I had to start again. But I studied hard and passed everything on my first try.
One of the biggest emotional struggles was taking the final step — leaving behind the safety of working for someone else and choosing to believe in myself 100%.
I’ve faced many struggles — but they made me stronger, wiser, and more passionate.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Yacobewell is more than just a wellness studio — it’s a space created with heart, purpose, and deep intention.
My mission is to help people feel amazing inside and out, reconnect with their bodies, and experience the power of true self-care.
At Yacobewell, I offer personalized treatments that blend beauty, wellness, and therapeutic techniques. I specialize in lymphatic drainage massage, post-op recovery facials, body contouring, assisted dinamic streching and holistic self-care routines. Every treatment is customized based on what my client truly needs — no two sessions are the same.
What sets Yacobewell apart is the global experience I bring from working in Cuba, Spain, Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand, and now the U.S. I’ve trained in many healing traditions and wellness methods — and I bring that rich knowledge into every session. But even more important than technique is intention I truly listen to my clients, I see them, and I make them feel cared for.
I also believe wellness should be a family lifestyle, which is why I love working with kids, teens, moms, and dads. I educate families on how to build simple self-care habits into everyday life. My goal is to shift the mindset — to help people understand that self-care is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.
One thing I’m most proud of is how Yacobewell is becoming a safe and empowering space for women— especially immigrant women, mothers, and professionals who give so much to others and often forget about themselves. My treatments aren’t just physical — they’re emotional too.
At Yacobewell, you’re not just booking a service — you’re receiving personalized care, emotional support, and real results.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
For me, taking risks has never been about being fearless — it’s been about having a clear purpose and the courage to move forward even when fear is present.
Every big step in my life has been a risk:
Leaving Cuba at 18 to work and study in Spain, without family or support.
Leaving my mother behind, the person I love the most, just to give her a better life.
Following my husband to new countries where I didn’t speak the language and had to start over professionally.
Opening a business in a foreign country.
Leaving a secure job to finally believe in myself and go all-in on my dream.
Each of these moments was filled with uncertainty — but I didn’t let that stop me. I believe growth only happens outside of our comfort zone, and every risk I’ve taken has brought me closer to my purpose.
I don’t take blind risks. I take calculated risks that align with my values and long-term goals. When I opened Yacobewell, it wasn’t just a business decision — it was a heart decision. I knew it was time to stop building someone else’s dream and start building mine.
To me, risk is not just about making bold moves — it’s about choosing yourself, betting on your potential, and trusting that your hard work, passion, and resilience will carry you through.
And I know the biggest and most beautiful risks are still ahead — and I’m ready for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yacobewell.com
- Instagram: @yacobewell
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/yacobewell/
