HERstory in Portraits: Mandi

Guiding Growth, One Post at a Time

Women are driving change in communities, businesses, and entire industries across Texas. Their stories are often made of long days, late nights, and quiet moments of determination – the kind that rarely make headlines but power real transformation.

HERstory in Portraits celebrates these women – mentors, innovators, and leaders who shape the future not just through what they build, but through the confidence they help others find.

Meet Mandi Hersley, founder of ALH Social Studio, a Houston-based business helping aesthetic professionals take control of their online presence with purpose.

Through her work, Mandi empowers women entrepreneurs to show up boldly for their businesses without burning out. “I see so many brilliant providers posting without a plan,” she says. “They’re frustrated by social media instead of fueled by it. I want to change that.”

For Mandi, visibility isn’t vanity, it’s strategy. It’s how women grow their businesses, find their voice, and connect authentically with the clients who need them most.

From Aesthetician to Strategist

Mandi’s story starts behind the treatment room door. A licensed aesthetician with more than 20 years in the industry, she has worked hands-on with clients, launched leading skincare brands, and supported hundreds of aesthetic practices across the country.

“I’ve seen this industry from every angle,” she says. “And what I noticed over and over again was that so many amazing business owners were doing incredible work, but struggling to show it online.”

That realization led her to create ALH Social Studio, a boutique social media strategy and content coaching business built specifically for aesthetic and wellness professionals.

Her mission? To help business owners stop guessing and start growing with intentional content that connects, converts, and reflects who they truly are.

“No random posting. No chasing trends. Just strategy that works as hard as you do,” she says with a smile.

Empowering Women Who Empower Others

Mandi’s clients are often women – nurses, aestheticians, injectors, and small business owners – who are juggling family life, client care, and entrepreneurship all at once.

“They’re wearing all the hats,” she explains. “They’re running their business, seeing patients, washing their own towels, and trying to keep up with social media on top of it. It’s overwhelming.”

Many of them, she says, feel like they’re constantly behind. “They’re pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into their business, and by the time they get home, the last thing they want to do is figure out what to post on Instagram.”

That’s where Mandi steps in, not just as a strategist, but as a mentor. “I want them to know they’re not alone,” she says. “I can help take some of that burden off. We make a plan, get consistent, and suddenly, it doesn’t feel so hard anymore.”

For Mandi, consistency is the key that unlocks everything. “What people don’t realize about social media is that the hardest part isn’t coming up with ideas, it’s consistency,” she explains. “Once you have a strategy in place, it gets easier. You start to see the results. That’s when the confidence comes.”

Strategy Over Trends

In a world of viral dances and trending audios, Mandi’s approach is refreshingly grounded. She believes social media should be a tool for education and connection, not distraction.

“Trendy videos are fun,” she laughs, “but they don’t always get you sales. They’re great to show that you’re a real person, but when you’re providing a service, your content should educate. Teach your audience what your treatments are for, what results they can expect, what your products actually do.”

That mindset has earned her the trust of hundreds of practices and professionals. Most of her business comes through word-of-mouth from within the skincare, aesthetics, and wellness industries – proof that authenticity really does attract the right audience.

Primarily working with Instagram/Meta, she helps clients find their voice online through a mix of coaching, strategy sessions, and customized content planning.

Building Confidence, One Post at a Time

Though Mandi spends her days helping others grow their visibility, she’s quick to admit that running her business is still a balancing act. She manages ALH Social Studio alongside a full-time job and family life, a reflection of the same drive she helps her clients harness.

Every coaching call, every brainstorming session, every caption review is another chance for her to help someone else feel seen. Her work reminds us that visibility, whether online or in life, isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up consistently, authentically, and with purpose.

Why HERstory Matters

Mandi’s journey embodies what HERstory in Portraits is all about: women using their expertise to lift others, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond their own success.

Through ALH Social Studio, she’s helping Texas women – and women across the industry – show up confidently, share their stories, and grow thriving businesses rooted in authenticity.

Her message is simple but powerful: you’re not alone.

And in every strategy she builds and every client she supports, Mandi proves that when women invest in themselves, they don’t just grow their businesses. They build communities of empowerment that redefine what leadership looks like.

That’s HERstory. And it’s worth celebrating.