Today we’d like to introduce you to Evee Owens.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story starts at the end of my time in the US Army in 2015. I was searching for what to do after the military, and the thought of going back to retail was horrifying. My husband Shawn encouraged me to find what I wanted to do. After searching through a few options, I was no closer to finding out what I wanted to do with my life. Like many soon-to-be veterans, I was falling into a depression. After a few months of searching, I looked at my husband and said, “what about doing nails? That’s a job, right?!” I figured if anything, it would at least be fun to polish some nails. So Shawn and I went to several different schooling options for nails and thats when I was introduced to becoming a Full Specialist (esthetics and nails). I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
After all I was doing basically IT work in the Army and didn’t have the slightest idea of what a career in esthetics or nails would be like. Fast forward, we had to do a project in my esthetics course to make my own salon and thats where the idea of City Escape Spa came from. My husband encouraged me to explore the options of becoming an entrepreneur and doing my own business. After that, I was full force, ready to make this dream a reality. I immediately wanted to go to school for massage therapy after school for a full specialist but instead started working. Two years after graduating and working in my industry, I went back to school for massage and added to my repertoire. Now I’m also a Permanent Makeup Artist and I hold three professional licenses and three business licenses. Little by little, my school project became the small business my husband and I work together.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This has not been the smoothest ride by any means. We started in Orlando with nothing but a small space in the corner of our studio apartment and very few clients. Six months later, we moved to Tampa for my husband to go to school. While in Tampa, we got married. I struggled to find and keep work, and I bounced from job to job. A few months after getting married, my husband told me to make my “business” an LLC and finally make City Escape Spa official. Shortly after, I started massage therapy school. We went through financial and personal troubles, just trying to figure out our life as newlyweds but also trying to start a new business. After a year in Tampa, we moved back to Orlando. I once again had no clients and no location to work. I started searching and found a place to rent but still didn’t have many clients. Building my business from scratch for the third time in less than two years. My husband worked a full-time job, and when I couldn’t make my rent for the salon studio, he helped with money out of his regular job. We ended up homeless for a little over six months. We lived in our car and hotels every now again when there was extra money. I worked full time at a salon, driving uber, and building my salon clientele on my off days while my husband worked full time, and we still ended up homeless. We both worked seven days a week for over 60 hours, trying to build up my salon studio. It’s like hitting rock bottom, but yet we have so much. At least we had a car, we both had full-time jobs and I was paying rent for my salon studio. We had to juggle having two different schedules with just one car. We both have had deaths in our families that have impacted us and our business. I’ve lost friends and for a while didn’t have any support except my husband, Shawn. COVID had a severe impact on my business and shut us down for seven weeks. Within the beauty industry, no clients equal no money. I’ve been at my storefront location in Casselberry for three years and it has been the best move. I’ve seen my business grow more than ever, and luckily, we have been blessed with amazing clients that helped us make it through the COVID shutdown. But there have been so many detours, bumps, and blockades throughout this journey.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a licensed Full Specialist, Massage Therapist, and Tattoo Artist. I like to believe I’m a jack of all trades and a master of all. My passion is my art and every aspect of what I do is a different aspect of art. I’m known for my hand painted nail art and use of color. No boring nails here! I got into massage therapy to give better massages for my manicures and pedicures and better massages for my facials. I got into permanent makeup because so many of my clients didn’t have eyebrows from over-tweezing. Each of my licenses incorporates into my business to make it better and ultimately let me become a full-service spa.
I enjoy everything that I do and that I can offer so many services to my clients. I love making people feel good about themselves. Something very near and dear to my heart is how the spa world has brought so much peace and creativity to my life. I get to create a safe space for my clients to enjoy “me” time and experience that peace for themselves. I truly found what I am passionate about. Every day is different, and I get to connect with so many people. What sets me apart is I always go above and beyond for my clients. I listen to their needs, and I always bring them the best. I always wanted to be the best, quality over quantity. I research and learn about the latest and greatest. I’m always taking continued education, watching videos, or practicing. I have a lot of long-term clients and I see most of them every two weeks. I treat my clients like they’re my family. I know the good, the bad and the ugly about their personal lives. I cry when they cry. We laugh. I’ve been invited to their weddings, baby showers and graduations. I think my attention to detail is something my clients love about me. I’m always looking out for their best interest, not just the business.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m an open book, sometimes too open. I feel like I show who I am every day. But what some people don’t see is I have a sensitive side, and I can be very compassionate. I wear my emotions on my sleeve, and sometimes it’s hard not to take things personally when I’m the owner and technician. I’ve had to learn to let business be business and personal stay personal. Trust, Loyalty and Respect is my personal mantra. Love and family keep me going. I feel like without one of those. I am not my best me.
Contact Info:
- Address: City Escape Spa 1548 Seminola Blvd Suite 110 Casselberry, FL 32707
- Email: cityescapespa@icloud.com
- Website: cityescapespa.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/cityescapespa
Image Credits
Shawn Owens, Evee Owens
