Do you remember your 21^st birthday?

It was no doubt the pinnacle of celebrations at the time and rightly so! 21 years is a milestone and without a doubt comes with its own lessons, journey, and an abundance of stories to tell. For me, this is no different! October 1^st is when I celebrate 21 years of Beauté and what a journey it has been.

For many locals, they’ll know that Beauté was originally established in the ‘80s, with the name Beaute Junction Cottage. Not much of a cottage girl myself, a name change was at the top of my list when I purchased the business all those years ago. I’d come to learn that this name would go on to change a few more times over the years before landing on what we know today as Beauté and Be.

For those new to our business, this is why you may hear our salon be called by a few names such as Beauté Junction and Beauté Connection. The name has been changed and tweaks during these 21 years, but Beauté has never left our side.

I’ll always remember my first day as the owner of Beauté (Junction at the time for those playing along at home). I was absolutely terrified of the “what ifs” that come with owning a salon for the first time. I panicked that nobody would turn up, that I wouldn’t have any clients and that I’d made a huge mistake. If you’re waiting for the “but that never happened and we all lived happily ever after” moment, it’s not here – my first client didn’t show up! Talk about some first day!

Thankfully, the second, third, fourth and fifth did show up and some of those amazing clients that did walk through the doors are still doing so over two decades later. It’s these people that I will be always grateful for and am so proud to call friends.

I like to think of my work as part of my social life too as the connection between our team and clients is incredible. Many clients have joined us on the journey of space changes, name changes and everything in between and I love that we’ve created a space that keeps them choosing us each time.

If I reflect on our time around 2005, where Madame B – our homewares store, turned into our nail room, I’m instantly transported to the laughter and fun we all had. There was never a dull moment in that nail room, and I always left with a smile on my face. In that room, some may remember the ever-changing wall that was decorated to reflect Sothy’s seasonal facials.

The girls and I would block out a Thursday afternoon to strip the wall and repaint and decorate it to match the season! None of us masters of renovation (except Brooke, aka our beloved “Kevin The Handyman”) but the laughter and fun we had changing up the space has created some of the best memories.

A lot happened in that nail space and many of those pivotal moments had nothing to do with shellac.

That extra space led me to a time where I could fully embrace the Reiki side of my life and one, I will always consider momentous. It became an opportunity for me to work with my master and eventually, hold the space to inspire others!

Unfortunately, it got tough financially and I decided I would pull back and go to a smaller space. “I wish I could find a space with two rooms”, I’d often say to myself and the next day, I found that space. We put everything on wheels, including the reception desk, and wheeled it around the corner and up the lift to our new salon. With a Coles supermarket being nearby, it’s safe to say those trolleys came in handy.

The time around this change was when I felt like I could breathe again and focus on myself and my journey.

Like anyone that’s made it to 21 years, whether that be in business, relationships, or life in general, we all know every day isn’t all roses and sunshine. During these 21 years, we’ve welcomed and farewelled team members, experienced the highs and lows of business life, celebrated the joys of Beauté babies and the recent lows of lockdown.

Last year, during a 10-week lockdown, I actually relished the time off. It was the first time I had experienced extended time away from the salon since Echoe was born. In fact, it was double the time I gave myself off when she was born. I consider the 2020 lockdown my ‘long service leave’ and an opportunity to really embrace a slower pace.

Fast forward to the 2021 lockdown and I have really struggled. Like many that I have spoken to, this time around it feels much heavier. I tell people to give themselves the space to embrace change but as I made this room in my own life, it opened my eyes to things I want to welcome more of, less of and rework within myself.

After 21 years, it’s time to rebuild a bit more and get back into that salon owner life. Another name change? Another decorated wall?

Well, who knows but after 21 years, I’m ready to welcome the new era of Beauté and I can’t wait to have you along for the ride.

Natasha x