Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Simmons.
Hi Paula, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I first opened A Royal Pampering 13 years ago, I had a vision: to create a space where clients didn’t just receive beauty services—they experienced knowledge and experience in a calm, peaceful, and clean environment. What I didn’t realize at the time was just how much of a rollercoaster that entrepreneurial journey would be.
Since that first day, I’ve moved to five different locations. Each one came with its own lessons—some painful, some powerful. What people often see now is the polished business, the happy clients, the inviting atmosphere. What they don’t always see are the behind-the-scenes struggles that shaped me.
Through all the challenges, I never lost sight of my mission. A Royal Pampering wasn’t just a salon—it was my passion, my purpose, and my promise to deliver an experience fit for royalty to everyone who walked through our doors.
Today, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Not just in terms of growth, but in the wisdom, systems, and strength i’ve built over the years. I’ve learned that success doesn’t come from getting everything right—it comes from getting back up every time you fall, learning from it, and adjusting your crown.
To anyone out there pursuing entrepreneurship: be prepared to fail forward. Surround yourself with people who will be honest with you. Never stop learning. And above all, give yourself the same grace and care you give your clients.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in 13 years—it’s that true pampering begins with self-respect, self-awareness, and the courage to keep going.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Choosing the wrong location can break a business—and I learned that the hard way. A beautiful storefront means little if there’s no parking, poor visibility, or if foot traffic doesn’t match your ideal client. I made that mistake more than once, thinking a lower rent or a trendy neighborhood would make up for inconvenient access. It didn’t. Those were expensive lessons.
Then came the challenge of managing people. Hiring a team you can trust is one of the most important—and unpredictable—parts of running a business. I’ve dealt with employee theft, dishonesty, and high turnover. I had to learn how to tighten processes, protect my business, and still foster a workplace where employees felt valued and respected. It wasn’t easy balancing leadership with compassion—but it was necessary.
Financial management was another battle. Like many small business owners, I wasn’t taught how to budget for growth, manage unexpected dips, or separate emotion from money decisions. There were months I wasn’t sure how I would cover expenses. But every misstep taught me something new. I invested in professional help, became more financially literate, and eventually turned chaos into structure.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I always knew I was a creative person. But I had to find my channel of creativity. I realized quickly that graphic design was not for me! Lol
I had a manicure license and after years of churning out acrylic french manicures I was feeling depleted. But oddly enough, I always enjoyed working with feet. So after 20 plus years of working for someone else I branched out and started my own business. A Royal Pampering. Natural nail bar and spa.
I knew that there were nail salons on every street corner, but I wanted to offer a personal, peaceful, fume free environment, with lots of plants and fish. Lol
We offer several different services from manicures to microblading. But we are most known for our pedicures. Both myself and Victoria are Certified Master pedicurists, This allows us to work with clients that suffer from diabetes, neuropathy and challenging feet that require a more customized approach. We are known for our copper bowls, and detailed pedicures. 1 hr and 15 mins of attention to detail, A Royal Pampering.
My business has made it 13 years! Through COVID, the death of 2 parents overseas and 5 relocations. But despite a life full of triumphs and lows my clients have remained loyal and continue to be my driving force to do my best every day!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I would have to say don’t beat yourself up when you mess up. Starting up a small business is complex. I am an artist not a business graduate. I have made soooo many mistakes along the way. But nothing that has stopped me from getting back up, dusting myself off and moving forward. Lesson learned. Its just on the job training for me. I am literally still learning things everyday. That’s not such a bad thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aroyalpampering.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroyalpampering
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aroyalpampering
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/aroyalpampering
