It’s a massive shift transitioning from full-time employment to full-time entrepreneurship.
A shift that most people in jobs underestimate — we know we certainly did when we made the leap a few years ago.
This funny piece on the psychological price of entrepreneurship references an analogy about entrepreneurship we love: it’s like a woman riding a lion.
“People look…and think, This girl’s really got it together! She’s brave! And the woman riding the lion is thinking, how the hell did I get on a lion, and how do I keep from getting eaten?”
Anita Chan went through this exact transitioning and is giving us now the opportunity to learn from her journey.
Anita Chan was introduced to the beauty/wellness industry through Bare Escentuals, which was her first summer job at 14. That sparked Anita Chan’s interest in makeup and maintaining the external beauty of our bodies. Anita Chan was a shy, chubby girl dealing with acne and had very low self-esteem.
The idea of being able to change perceived imperfections intrigued Anita, so she took on a part-time job at Sephora during high school. It was there that She realized how embarrassed she felt working on clients face to face, creating the look of flawless skin on them with makeup, while they stared at her less than perfect skin. Anita also came to realize how low my self-esteem had gotten when she did the makeup of a girl from the Make-a-Wish Foundation — she was so beautiful, despite how visibly her body was deteriorating.
"I was so inspired by her that it made me believe there is beauty in everybody — sometimes we just need a little help to see it in ourselves."
So Anita decided to dedicate her career to learning about skin, in order to understand how to actually have flawless skin rather than create it with makeup.
This led Anita Chan to pursue an AA degree in Image Consulting and got her Esthetician license while going to college.
"When it came time to choose a major, I couldn’t pick one since nothing seemed to fit what I wanted to do."
Isn’t it that we all go through a time in our lives where we just can not pick a subject or something that will lead us towards our future? However, Anita found a program at San Francisco State University that allowed her to create her own major!
Yes, Anita managed to combine courses from Speech Communication, Marketing, and Psychology and studied the Fundamentals of Self-Image. While she was in college, Anita got a job doing front desk work at a spa in the hopes she’d transition into the treatment room once she got her license.
"I finally convinced my mom to turn a little studio in her house into a facial room."
After working at a couple of high-end spas and medi-spas around Bay Area and Los Angeles, Anita had finally convinced her mom to turn a little studio in her house into a facial room. Anita always knew that she wanted to be in business for myself but the thought of not having a guaranteed paycheck was unsettling so this was a safe place to start. From there she worked on family and friends, but found her growth still limited since she only took in referral clients.
"I finally mustered up some blind courage to rent a studio at a shared space to officially offer my services to the public."
Well, having a little studio in her house didn’t last long because she started to rent her first place for her studio. Even then Anita held onto multiple part-time jobs as a flight attendant and makeup school director, they were her safety net, but then she got to a point where she really had to focus on her business in order for it to grow so she quit my other jobs.
"I held my breath and jumped in with both feet, it was scary but the real start of my business career."
After three years of working independently, Anita Chan reached a point where she knew the only way to scale her business was to find a place where she could build a team. It was an emotional, tough and challenging journey, but it led to what ANITA B SPA is today.
"I couldn't be more excited for where the journey will continue to take me."
What led you to start Anita B Spa? What was going through your mind on that day?
The one thought that motivated me was the passion I had to bring out the beauty in everybody. Looking and feeling the beauty that’s innate within us is a lifestyle choice that requires guidance and commitment. I hope that ANITA B SPA is a place where clients can take the time to nourish themselves and learn about how to live this lifestyle and mindset to the fullest.
I also worked for a fashion e-commerce startup for a short period after graduating college and confirmed my decision of staying in the beauty/wellness industry when I had to IM my manager who was sitting right next to me instead of turning my head to talk to her. Our society has become so into technology that we are losing the human to human interactions that are so important to our well-being. I knew I needed to create a place where people can still feel connected and grounded with some human touch therapy.
What do you think makes Anita B Spa different than all the other beauty spa’s?
My degree in Fundamentals of Self-Image prepared me to go more than skin deep when I’m in the treatment room with clients. I train all of my team members to really listen, assess and be intuitive to understanding what’s going on in our clients life. This is essential in order to provide our customized treatments. Our skin is a direct reflection of what’s going on in our bodies physically, mentally and emotionally, and we look at the entire picture.
I also had the benefit of seeking out many different beauty experiences and rituals from around the world while I was a flight attendant. Every culture treats beauty/wellness differently and having more knowledge of it allows us to offer clients a truly customized treatment that fits their needs. It is still very important for me today to continue traveling, not only because I enjoy it very much, but also to expose myself to the trends and new practices of beauty around the world.
Have you always been entrepreneurial?
Both my parents were entrepreneurs, but they never wanted me to be one — and especially not in the beauty business. They preferred me to be in finance, medicine or law. But I knew from an early age, after working at my parents’ business, that I was not the type of person who could be tied to a desk and predictable schedule.
What investment did you need to start Anita B Spa?
Besides the obvious financial investment, I had to invest my mental will, emotional vulnerability, physical strength, and lots of time. Capital investment alone cannot start a business. It takes a lot of hard work, effort and energy to get a business started and then you need grit, perseverance, motivation, open-mindedness and creativity to maintain it. Investing in a good support system was an absolute essential as well.
How do you compete with other spa’s?
I don’t. I love my industry and meeting anybody that’s in it. There’s plenty of clients to go around for everybody so I choose to work with my peers rather than work against them.
How do you get unstuck creatively? Do you change your treatments every now and then?
Every time a client walks through our door is a different experience. We are all ever-changing so each treatment is customized to what the client needs at the moment. Clients even fill out a short questionnaire each time choosing what drink they would like, music they want to listen to and what mood they are in. We want to create an environment and treatment that suits each individual client on that particular day.
What would you say is the most popular treatment and why is it so popular?
Our customized facials are popular because we believe the treatment doesn’t end at the spa. We put a lot of care and effort into building relationships with clients even after they leave so they feel comfortable enough to turn to us for any beauty/wellness questions they have. Next would be the G.E.L. Lashes Superboost Lash Lift. This service curls the lashes at the base with a keratin solution giving your natural lashes a longer and fuller appearance. Clients love the instant gratification and it’s a great alternative to lash extensions.
What is unique about your work with customers?
It’s incredible to have an impact in others’ lives. Building relationships with my clients is the fuel for everything I do. Every day I learn something from them as much as I hope they can learn from me. I really treat each session with my clients as a date, getting to know who they are and their lifestyle; what they desire is key to providing result-oriented services and a meaningful experience.
What popular entrepreneurial advice do you agree/ disagree with? Why?
I believe it’s important to hire for the things you are not good at. This makes our jobs much more enjoyable and allows us to focus on our passions and strengths. I am not interested in the number side of the business, so hiring an accountant was the best decision ever. I work really closely with her and pretty much call her my boss!
How would you describe your work style while running your business?
I am dedicated to nurturing my team. Besides making sure clients are happy with our services, taking care of my employees and supporting them in their growth is equally as important to me. They are the backbone of the spa and I am grateful to have a fabulous team.
Do you believe in destiny or do you think you can control your fate?
I believe we are all born in our unique way which gives us a personality to choose how we make certain decisions. Those decisions determine our fate and that fate leads us to our destiny. We can choose to be aware and understand ourselves in the decisions we make in order to take control of our fate and create the outcome of our destiny.
Could you suggest three guidelines for the individual who is entering the field of beauty and wellness business?
Never stop being a student. Nobody owes it to you to hand you their clients or help build your clientele. Mastering your craft takes time and patience, there is no other way around it.
Check out Anita’s Spa via http://anitabspa.com
Follow Anita’s Spa journey via https://www.instagram.com/anitabspa/
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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