Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Greene.
Christy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I walked away from a corporate job and decided to change to an entirely different career. When I decided to go change careers, little did I know, that the economic recession was looming.
We moved from Orange County and into an entirely different county where I did not know anyone. So, here I was, in my mid life, changed to a different career, and into an area, I did not know anyone.
I worked at several day spas and built my appointment book in three months at each place. When I was hired at one of the places, I asked if I would be eligible for a raise if I built up the clientele. When I filled up my books, I asked to speak to the manager and owner and asked for that raise. I did not get it because they said they were getting to open up another location so they needed the funds.
Even though it was now in full blown recession, I felt like I had worked hard to fulfill my end of the agreement and the management/owner could not fulfill their end because they had other priorities… so I left.
Even though people were losing their jobs and homes, I did not want to be in a position where my future was in the hands of someone else, so I started my business. I used the savings that I had from my corporate job to start the business.
At the time, day spas all over Orange County, Riverside County, and San Diego County were closing so I drove all over southern California purchasing used spa equipment to start my business.
I started my business when there was no social media for businesses so I had to do the old fashioned way…word of mouth… attending chamber events, sending out mailers, and advertising in the local magazine.
During this time, my husband got laid off and so now we had a mortgage and a storefront bringing in no money. He was finally able to get a temporary contract but in another state.
We had to live apart for 18 months and lived on almost nothing so we could pay for two separate living expenses in two different states. We did it without going into debt.
I could not close up shop because I had signed a 5-year commercial lease so WE HAD TO MAKE IT WORK!!
Because my husband and I were living separately, I was able to focus on building my business, so when I worked 14 hour days, I did not feel guilty about being at the shop ALL DAY.
Now, over 10 years later, I am grateful to say that my business has never been in debt and is over a six figure business that did NOT use social media until much later. We have been fortunate enough to not have had to use any coupons site as well.
Early on, I focused on giving great customer service consistently and that paid off in the end.
I did not lower my prices even during the recession.
My life was nothing but the business for the first five years. I had no life.
Today, I am struggling with trying to balance out my time between running a business, having time for family and friends, and for myself. It is still a struggle…
However, I have been able to take amazing trips and be involved in some mastermind groups that have changed my mindset to take it my life to the next level.
My next goal is own an apartment building that will allow us to have steady income coming in so my husband and I can retire early and have more time to volunteer.
For me, I would love to teach other women about finances, marketing, and business. I have already started
something on the side that I am teaching other estheticians on how to be successful in their own business. For us, the money is NOT about buying more stuff. It is about creating more freedom so we can focus on the things to help more people.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has NOT been a smooth road. It has taken persistence, grit, and tenacity to keep going and although things are easier in my business, I still am working hard to take it to the next level.
There is no such thing as “I have arrived”. The minute you think that and start coasting, you are on the slippery slope of not improving.
I think it is easier than any other time to start a business but also the most difficult because there is so much competition.
I would say that whatever business you want to start, you will always find competition so you have to plan and market according to what your differential is.
What is about you and your business that stands out from the rest? Whatever that is, that is where your focus should be and then naturally you will stand out from the noise.
I mentioned my struggles in the last post.
We’d love to hear more about Go See Christy Beauty Boutique.
My business is in the area of beauty. We don’t do hair. We focus on waxing, eyelash extensions, and customized facials. When I first started my business, I focused on expert waxing and now I am known for facials that focus on acne, hyperpigmentation, and anti-aging.
My business has won Best Place to get waxed, facials and brow waxing for six years.
I think what sets me apart from all the other businesses is my background, knowledge of cosmetic chemistry and how products work on the skin to get the best results for each individual person.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
During a very impressionable time in my life, I had a woman named Mary Baumer who really watched over us and taught me a lot about independence. She was my youth pastor. She was in her 40’s and she was not married and did not have kids. She had the most exciting life.
She taught me that you don’t have to be married, have kids and the picket fence to be happy. She emphasized that each woman is different and that I had to follow my own path because that is what is going to make me the happiest, not some storybook fairy tale.
So, I married my husband later in life and because I knew myself, I knew what I needed and not what the media was telling me what I needed. We are the best of friends and our marriage is not perfect but it is fairly easy.
Pricing:
- Age Fighter Facial-$116 Recommended for dehydrated, dull aging, uneven skin tone
- All Clear Purifying Facial-$112-Recommended for acne prone skin
- Brazilian waxing $65
- Eyelash extension full set starting from $85
Contact Info:
- Address: 41667 Ivy St Suite G
Murrieta, CA 92562 - Website: www.goseechristy.com
- Phone: 951-490-6208
- Email: christy@goseechristy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goseechristy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoSeeChristyBeautyBoutique/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/c/goseechristy.com
Image Credit:
Christy
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
