Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Scott- Johnson.
Hi Tara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve worn many hats. I’ve dabbled in several career paths during my life, but I feel at home doing what I love as an Esthetician.
I started my professional career in 1993 as an Esthetician at the #1 skincare spa and cosmetics retailer in Nashville, Tennessee. I didn’t know it when I took the job, but I would spend 26 years with some of the most incredible women that would mold me into the woman I am today. My belief is that everyone should work in the service industry at least once in their lifetime. The lessons you learn in that atmosphere are unparalleled. As an Esthetician, I operated as a Psychologist by default. I learned invaluable skills about working with people and the human psyche.
These skills laid the groundwork for opportunities that evolved over the coming years. I also have an interior design certificate from the NY School of Interior Design, which helped me launch a small interior design firm in 2011 to piggyback on my husband’s construction company. Both careers had me working one-on-one with people. I understand people, their wants, their needs, and how to get them where they need to go. I have a certain “way” with people. I treat them as lifelong friends instead of customers. I learned this strategy from a book called “How to Win Customers and Keep Them for Life” by Michael LeBoeuf, Ph.D. This book is a must-read!
In 2013, I was offered the chance to write professionally for Zillow due to my keen eye for interior design and my knowledge of residential construction. After three years of writing for the largest real estate blog in the country, I decided to go back to college and finish my BA in Marketing. After all, I had been marketing myself for decades and figured I’d finally get some credentials under my belt. While in school, I learned web design and web development. I find building websites to be a great creative outlet for me.
While my career choices may seem unassociated, they all led me to where I am today. I realized I was ready to launch my largest endeavor to date – Suite Life Spa. Esthetics is what I love, it’s where my heart is and my sole focus going forward. The skills I’ve acquired along my journey gave me the confidence to pull the trigger.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest challenge I faced leading up to creating the Suite Life Spa, was finding a place to work that felt like home. I moved to Savannah, Georgia in 2019, leaving behind a work family and clients I had known for decades. I worked at a small cosmetics boutique on Broughton Street and then a private club.
Neither of those opportunities felt right, I knew eventually I would need to do my own thing. Luckily, the stars aligned and in a few short months I found myself standing in a space I had designed and built. Well, technically my husband built it, being married to a contractor has its perks!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What is the Suite Life Spa? I wanted to create something unusual by today’s spa standards. In a sea of med-spas, I wanted to create a wellness spa. Our focus is on the whole person – mind, body, and soul. Beauty is more than just injectables and laser resurfacing. Healthy skin glows from within. I believe in the old-school theories of creating radiant skin while minimizing irritation caused by invasive treatments. Sometimes less is more. My focus is on proven skin treatments paired with relaxation and a focus on the whole person. Quick medical treatments void of a personal relationship with your technician is not what we do here.
Each independent technician works for themselves. They provide the treatments they prefer, use their favorite products, and retail brands they are proud to offer. This level of ownership in their own brand eludes to the greatest service experience available today. Our massage therapist, known as the “Moon River Medicine Woman”, is a holistic wellness practitioner with training and practical experience in traditional healing arts that encompasses both Western and Eastern philosophies. Her mind and body practice focus is largely on women’s health and wellness.
The Suite Life Spa is not a bustling day spa but rather a calming environment focused on the individual. Our business may seem a little different – we do not have a receptionist – we do not push expensive retail products – appointments are booked online. At the Suite Life Spa, you work directly with your technician. We are open by appointment only to provide our technicians with a healthy work/life balance.
The Suite Life Spa is still in its infancy – just two months old. We have space for estheticians, massage therapists, acupuncturists, stretch coaches, and other wellness technicians. Our expansion space will house a pilates/yoga instructor and the Halotherapy Salt Cave – coming in Spring/Summer 2022. Furthermore, we are a founding member of the Savannah Holistic Chamber of Commerce.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’d like to acknowledge the person that influenced me most in my career – Linda D. Roberts. Linda is my former boss and founder of the Nashville-based Private Edition & Cosmetic Market cosmetic boutiques, and Therapy Systems skincare brand. While Linda aspired to be Este Lauder, I aspire to be Linda Roberts.
Pricing:
- European Facial $100
- Facial with Peel $150
- The Works – Microdermabrasion, Facial & Peel $225
- Wellness Massage $150
- Reiki Healing Session $150
Contact Info:
- Email: suitelifespa@gmail.com
- Website: www.suitelifespa.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/suitelifespa/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesuitelifespa
Image Credits
Brooke Pizio and Claire Gleaves
