Written by: Katie Ladner, L.E
The beginning of 2020 came in with a bang. I turned 40 and I was planning how I would keep Flawless Skin & Body running in California while I lived in Texas. I was going to fly back once a month for a week and work on my clients and have my girls run things while I was gone. Well March 2020 that all changed, I felt like I was slapped upside the face when the Covid shutdown began. This shutdown was turning out to be a disaster in California for the salon & spa industry. Summer was creeping up and our move date was approaching. I was stressing on how to keep Flawless above water while moving to Texas without any income coming in. The relief wasn’t enough and pressure was building like it does in my instant pot. As mid July approached with the looming August move date I decided to make the toughest decision in my life. To close the doors on a 20 year career in California.
I was nervous, I have known nothing else except working as an Esthetician in California. I went straight from High school to college to beauty school. Working at Skin Therapy when I was 18 years old helping pay my way through college. I was going to be an interior designer and I was almost there but felt uninspired with school and life so I decided to go to beauty college and become an Esthetician. This change lit a fire in me I never knew existed. For the last 20 years I have worked in my passion helping other people feel better about themselves and creating a brand in southern Orange County. I really overcame so many obstacles, starting out with no money barely surviving to having an amazing group of women I work with at this spa I created. I felt like nothing could take me down. I just wouldn’t let it. But mid July hit, and no hope for re-opening, no hope to work for possibly the rest of the year. How was I going to pay for all of this? How was I going to take care of my girls? Now I can say Covid was the number one factor I had to close my doors. I cried on and off for days. I had to let go of my clients, my space and my girls. But I always remember that saying, when God closes one door he opens another.
The end of August came and the spa was emptied, the house was packed and the good byes had been said. We packed up our family and started our 4 day adventure to the Great “Nation” of Texas. The drive was pretty uneventful, kids were good and no hiccups along the way.
Once we arrived at our AirBNB I felt right at home, but anxiously awaiting the closing of the home we just purchased. As the days grew into a week and so on I began to realize that this was home and I was so relieved and happy to be here. It’s more peaceful in Texas. It’s a bit slower paced and the people are so nice and welcoming.
As the days went on I grew bored and restless, feeling that flame come back. I now felt ready to set out my journey of finding a job. This was exciting, scary and nerve racking. I have never known what it would be like to go on an interview and work with people I didn’t know.
I decided to walk into a med spa near my home and see if they were accepting applications. When I got the call back from L Aesthetics & Longevity I was so excited and nervous. I so longed to get back to my career that I have such a passion for. Reconnecting with new co workers and clients made me feel excited like a breath of fresh air I haven’t felt in a long time.
This new chapter working at “L” has given me so much more knowledge and education in the med spa industry. Learning new modalities and techniques that I would have NEVER been able to do back in California. I am happy to say I found a new tribe that I am a part of, building new memories and experiences together. Today I feel content and happy to start fresh even when I was forced too. And to remind all my beauties out there…
When God closes a door, he will open up another that is bigger, wider and brighter for you to shine!