Meet Shelby Nicoletti-Bachnicki of Mentor OH

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Nicoletti-Bachnicki.

Hi Shelby , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 2011, fresh out of high school, I took a leap into the beauty industry with nothing but a dream and determination.

I became a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician, knowing deep down that this wasn’t just about hair or skin — it was about confidence. It was about how women feel when they look in the mirror.

For three short years, I worked inside salons, learning everything I could.
How to serve.
How to connect.
How to grow thick skin.
How to trust my instincts.

But there was always something tugging at my heart — a vision that felt bigger than the walls I was working in.

So in 2014, at a young age with big faith and even bigger courage, I opened my own small studio.

It was just me.
A tiny space.
A whole lot of hustle.

And I called it Luce ✨🩷 del Sole — “Light of the Sun.”

Because even then, I knew I wanted to build something that felt warm. Safe. Empowering. Full of light.

The journey wasn’t easy.
There were risks. Doubt. Financial pressure. Growing pains.
Balancing marriage, motherhood, and entrepreneurship.
Learning how to lead while still learning myself.

There were seasons where I questioned everything.

But I kept going.

Year after year, client after client, opportunity after opportunity… Luce grew.

And today, what started as a tiny studio has expanded into Luce ✨🩷 del Sole Studios — a full-service salon serving our community in so many different ways.

Hair. Lashes. Brows. Nails. Skin. Spray tans.
Independent artists building their own dreams under one roof.
A space where women walk in unsure… and walk out glowing.

It has been a journey.
A refining.
A stretching.
A building-from-the-ground-up kind of story.

And the most beautiful part?
We’re still growing.

Luce was never just a salon.
It was a calling.
A light I was meant to share.

From a fresh-out-of-high-school dreamer in 2011…
To a studio owner in 2014…
To a full-service beauty home serving our community today.

This is proof that small beginnings can create something extraordinary.

And this is only the beginning!!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey to get here was not smooth.

There were slow seasons where I wondered if I’d make rent. Moments of comparison that made me question if I was “good enough.”
Long nights building, branding, marketing, cleaning, learning… alone. Friendships that shifted. Business lessons that hurt. Trust that was tested. Clients who left. Team changes that stretched me.

There were times I felt overwhelmed trying to be everything at once —
A wife.
A mom.
A business owner.
A leader.
A creative.

I’ve doubted myself.
I’ve cried in private.
I’ve had to rebuild mentally more than once.

But every struggle shaped me.

It taught me boundaries.
It taught me leadership.
It taught me resilience.
It taught me that growth isn’t glamorous — it’s earned.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Luce we offer a wide range of services being a full service salon but what started it was my specialty, it has always been custom spray tanning. To me, spray tanning is not “just a tan.” It is a form of art. It is contour, tone, balance, and enhancement tailored uniquely to each body. I approach every application with intention — understanding undertones, lighting, body shape, and desired outcome.

More importantly, it is about confidence.

For over 15 years, I have watched women of all ages, backgrounds, and body types walk in unsure — and leave standing taller. I truly believe spray tanning has evolved from a seasonal trend into a staple beauty service that is here to stay. When done correctly, it enhances natural beauty in a way that feels effortless and empowering.

I am known for delivering results that look elevated and natural — never orange, never heavy — and for creating an environment where clients feel comfortable, seen, and supported.

What I am most proud of is not just the growth of the business, but the culture we’ve built. Luce is a space where independent artists can grow their own brands while being supported under one roof. It is collaborative, professional, and heart-centered.

What sets me apart is that I didn’t just build a service-based business — I built a brand and a community. I blend artistry with leadership, creativity with structure while being a skin care and beauty professional on top of all of it. I took risks early in my career, grew through real challenges, and built something sustainable through resilience, integrity, and long-term vision.

Luce isn’t just a salon.
It’s a space designed with intention — where beauty meets confidence, and where both clients and artists feel empowered.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is creating a space where every person who walks into Luce ✨🩷 feels at home. A place where they are not just another appointment, but truly seen, valued, and special.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lucedelsolestudios.com
• Instagram: Studiolucedelsole
• Facebook: Luce Del Sole Studios