Kelly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I thought about sharing my story serval times but wasn’t sure how. I know we all can’t help but see someone and make up our own narrative. I certainly know there have been a few made up about me. With that being said, I decided to open up about what made me who I am today. If it inspires even just one person then I will be one happy lady! Born in Rochester, Minnesota. Moved to Florida at the age of 13. Coming from a small town and living out in the country, I was beyond excited to have sidewalks! Lol! I was raised by two great parents that were very much in love, I knew I was a very lucky girl. However, we were not lucky in the finance department, to say the least. So, at the age of 13 years old, I got my first job as a bus girl cleaning tables at Corner House Family Restaurant. My parents were always trying to make ends meet.
For example, if I wanted new school clothes etc… I had to work and get them myself. Over the next few years, I worked to buy my first car! There were times I would come home from school and we had no electricity due to it being shut off. My sister and I would sometimes help get it turned back on. Nevertheless, there was so much love in our house it didn’t matter as long as we were all together. We were never raised or brainwashed to go to college in our house. My parents just wanted us to graduate high school, be good people, and of course be healthy. So once I graduated high school, I went to Barber school. Something I knew I wanted to do since I was a little girl! A few years later, I was married and had my biggest accomplishment yet, my son Bailey. To everyone, it looked like I had it ALL, including the picket fence. Well, the fence fell and I found myself divorced and now a single mom of a 4-year-old. I worked two jobs and lived paycheck to paycheck for years. Then, one day I caught a break and got a job that would change Bailey’s and I’s life. Who would have thought it… I was really good at sales like my father!
So for years, I worked in the auto industry. I was able to raise Bailey and felt very fortunate to be able to provide for both of us. Stressful still you ask??? Yes! I was a single mom with 17 plates up in the air. Once Bailey was raised, I decided I wanted back in the beauty industry. It was approximately four years ago. So I got a job at Conair as an RSM. Quickly I realized I was so over traveled and living a very lonely life on the road. At this time, I had lost my father at age 62 and four years ago, I lost my mom at age 76. I looked at myself and asked, “what happened to your dreams Kelly!?”. That’s the moment I decided that I wanted to look into buying my own spa! I knew it was a bit of a stretch, to say the least for the Minnesota girl but, I needed a distraction. Well, after about nine months of ups and downs and lots of stress a miracle happened! Yes, a miracle! I found someone who wanted to be my dream maker and she helped me make my dreams come true. So between all, I could scrap up of my own, and the loan that was given to me, I bought my spa on January 1, 2017! Not too many people know this but, that day after everything was said and done, I had $500 left in the bank and that was it! It was do or die! I 100% believe God lead me to that spa and made everything possible.
I have now owned the spa for four years and very blessed to say that in those four years, we have tripled in business! If that’s not enough, I have the pleasure to work every day with my one and only son Bailey! He was the one who was there through it all helping, encouraging, and praying for me every day! God is so good! Anyway, never say never. I didn’t go to college, I came from no money, and I became a single mom. I had all odds stacked up against me! Do you know what I had? A DREAM that I went for with literally with EVERYTHING I had. Yes, it was hard and I busted my booty (like really busted my booty). For the first year and a half, I worked 16/18 hour days! But guess what? It was worth every minute! I am so grateful for my son, all the support from friends and family, all my employees and every customer who walks through the door, and of course, my very own personal dream maker who said yes because she believed in me and my dream! Thank you! So never say you can’t! You can. If the dream is big enough and you’re not willing to take no for an answer. Work that booty off, you can do it too!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth ride? No, not at all. Once I purchased the location I had one issue after the other with the building. Electrical issues, Ceiling leaking, A/C not working properly, Internet issues I could go on and on. Shortage of employees which sounds easy? I thought the same thing but, let me say it is extremely hard to get Massage Therapists. Never did I think owning a business would my problem be having trouble getting employees. Your first thought is getting the business. That has not been my issue at all.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Well after being a barber for ten years, I got into sales. Very quickly, I became top sales Rep. I won numerous awards and even the Regional Vice president Award over 1500 sales reps at Cars.com. Now however, my biggest accomplishment is that since owning the spa three out of the four years, we won “Best of The Bay” Spa! I also think that having all my sales experience has to help me run my spa with a sales mentality too! I truly believe it’s my passion and dedication that makes me stand out. I work really hard and expect nothing to be handed to me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
As I stated in my story, I have felt very blessed and grateful and YES, lucky that the who I call my dreamer maker not only had the funds to help me get started but believed in me.
Pricing:
- Massages Starting @ $34.95
- Massages Starting @ $34.95
- Mini Spa Day!1 hour Relaxation Massage and 1 hour European Facial $70
- 1 hour Deep Tissue Massage $45
- Jet Peel starting at as low as $200
Contact Info:
- Address: 4325 Henderson Blvd. Tampa FL 33629
- Email: Kelly@essentialssouthtampa.com
- Website: www.essentialssouthtampa.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/essentialssouthtampa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Essentialssouthtampadayspa
Image Credits
Jennifer McNabb Photographer
