Meet Leigh Miley
Leigh is the founder and heart behind Soul Skin Alchemy, a newly opened sanctuary for beauty, healing, and inner quiet in Malanda, Queensland. With three decades of experience as a beauty and massage therapist, she has created a space where people can soften, breathe, and return to themselves. After years of searching for the right place to root her vision, she opened her doors on 1 November, 2025, a moment that marked not just the beginning of a business, but the beginning of a new chapter. With the support of Many Rivers and her business coach, Patrick, Leigh is now gently growing her client community.
“Working with my Many Rivers coach, Patrick helped me stay on track with timing, trades, opening the shop, and managing day-to-day tasks. He kept me focused and helped me manage my business side, which is not my strength. He also gave me advice on things I hadn’t thought of, like setting up a business bank account and understanding tax requirements”. – Leigh Miley
Read more about Leigh’s business journey so far:
Leigh’s business
My business, Soul Skin Alchemy is the result of 30 years of hands on experience and work that has always come from the heart. I am not a mainstream beauty therapist. I am not into lashes or false nails. My work is focused on self care, nurturing, and creating stillness for people who need a moment to come back to themselves.
I offer intuitive massage, facials, Reiki healing, meditation support, and a small amount of beauty therapy like waxing and traditional facials. Every treatment is done with intention. My aim is to settle the nervous system and help people feel calm, safe, and present.
When someone walks through my door, I want the outside world to fade away. I encourage clients to switch off their phones and smartwatches, not as a rule, but as an act of respect for themselves. It is a gentle reminder that this time is theirs. Even something simple like a waxing appointment becomes an opportunity to pause and breathe.
My space is designed for softness and rest. I want people to feel held from the moment they arrive. That is what Soul Skin Alchemy is about.
Working with Many Rivers
I have worked in this industry my whole life. I ran a busy and successful business in Airlie Beach for 20 years before returning to Cairns. Then covid hit, and like many therapists, I was suddenly not allowed to work. It forced me into a level of stillness I did not expect.
When I moved to the Tablelands, I tried to find work, but nothing felt aligned with my values. I wanted to create something that reflected who I am and why I do this work. I started looking for a space, and it took four years before the right one appeared. It was an old solicitor’s office with three treatment rooms, a reception, a quiet room, and a kitchen. The moment I stepped inside, I knew it was where Soul Skin Alchemy was meant to be.
A work placement consultant suggested I reach out to Many Rivers. After a phone interview, I was connected with Patrick, and he has been supporting me since October. He has walked beside me through every part of setting up my business. He helped me with timelines, coordinating trades, opening dates, admin tasks, banking, and anything I felt unsure about.
I am very organised when it comes to treatments, but business systems can feel overwhelming. Patrick helped me stay focused and calm. He guided me through tax requirements, setting up Xero, and things I had never dealt with before. He offered ideas, helped refine my plans, and supported me in turning my vision into real steps.
One moment I will never forget is when my business bank account was rejected because of a small address mistake. I was tired and it tipped me over the edge. Patrick talked me through it, helped me fix it, and checked in afterwards to make sure I was okay. After so many years of doing everything on my own, it meant a lot to have someone steady and supportive on my side.
The biggest gift has been knowing I am not alone. Patrick brings the business mind I do not naturally have, and I bring the heart and creativity. Together it works. It has made this whole journey feel grounded and possible.
Right now I am the only therapist, but in March I have a young trainee starting to help with reception and admin for a few hours a week. As the business grows, I hope to welcome a senior therapist and later a trainee beauty therapist.
Biggest Challenge
Opening in a small town with several well established beauty therapists has been a challenge. Malanda has fewer than 3,000 people, and I am the sixth business offering beauty or wellness services in the area.
The timing was also hard. Opening on 1 November means stepping straight into the Christmas rush where people have already booked their appointments. January is full of gift voucher redemptions, and February is naturally quiet. It is a slow time to start. I have had to remind myself to stay patient, trust the process, and be gentle with myself.
Biggest Success
My biggest success is that the clients who come in return. Some have already come back more than once. Their feedback and the way they settle deeply into the space tells me that Soul Skin Alchemy is offering something they cannot find elsewhere.
People often say they feel nurtured, safe, and deeply relaxed. That means more to me than anything. It shows me that I am on the right path.
Biggest Change
The biggest change has been realising that I do not have to do everything alone. For most of my life I have carried everything by myself, both in business and in life. This time, I have support. I have guidance. I have space to breathe. It has helped me soften and trust myself more.
Future Goals
My hope is to grow Soul Skin Alchemy slowly and steadily. I want to build a small, heart led team who understands the type of care I offer. I want to focus more on the intuitive work I love and create a strong client community here in the Tablelands.
My dream is simple. I want Soul Skin Alchemy to remain a safe, nurturing space where people can rest, heal, and reconnect with themselves.
Thank you Leigh for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Leigh’s small business, follow “Soul Skin Alchemy” through the following links:
Email: [email protected]
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