We’re looking forward to introducing you to Angela Robb. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Angela, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One of the biggest misconceptions about my business is that people think being the CEO of a beauty company means I spend my days being pampered. In reality, I rarely sit down for a service myself—because every appointment on the schedule is one more opportunity for a client to be cared for. My role is much closer to that of any other business leader: it’s strategy, problem-solving, mentoring, finances, marketing, and making sure every detail in the client experience is just right. The beauty industry is every bit as complex and demanding as a law firm or a restaurant—it’s just that our end product happens to make people feel radiant. And that’s worth the work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Angela Robb, founder and CEO of Karma Spa Lounge & Beauty Bar, a luxury day spa and salon in Southern Pines, NC. We opened our doors in 2012 with a simple but powerful belief—that beauty is more than appearance; it’s an experience that nurtures confidence, connection, and wellbeing. Over the years, Karma has grown into a destination where guests can enjoy everything from advanced skincare and hair artistry to scalp rituals and wellness treatments, all under one roof.
What makes us unique is the way we blend luxury with heart. We’re obsessive about details—not just in the treatments themselves, but in the way our guests are welcomed, cared for, and remembered. I’ve built our brand around a culture of genuine hospitality and continuous innovation, so our team is always learning, evolving, and introducing new ways to serve.
And while we’re proud of what we’ve built, we’re also working quietly behind the scenes on something new—something that will take our philosophy of beauty and wellness to a whole new level.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In my experience, bonds often break when communication fades. Sometimes people withhold their true thoughts to spare feelings, but that silence only creates distance. I’ve also seen a growing cultural trend toward loyalty to self above all else. We live in a time of instant gratification, and while it meets short-term desires, it doesn’t serve the long-term health of our relationships. Sometimes the break is slow—neglect, misunderstandings, missed moments. Other times, it’s sudden: betrayal, dishonesty, or a choice that shifts the foundation.
One of the hardest hits I’ve felt is finding out through social media that an employee was leaving—often before they even told me directly. Loyalty matters deeply to me, and those moments sting. Still, after the initial blow to my ego, I remember that I once had dreams of moving on and growing too. Even if the way it’s done feels careless, I try to see it from their perspective.
Restoration, when it happens, rarely puts things back exactly as they were. More often, the relationship takes a different shape—sometimes stronger because of what it’s endured, sometimes simply altered. For me, professional connections tend to heal faster than personal ones. There’s a natural separation there; with personal bonds, the roots run deeper and the wounds take longer.
Humility is essential in repair. It’s the quiet willingness to say, ‘Maybe I don’t have the full picture. Maybe the relationship matters more than my pride.’ And reconciliation is never just a single act. Forgiveness is vital—it’s commanded of us—but it’s only the first step. True reconciliation is the ongoing choice to show up differently, even after the hurt.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me perspective in a way success never could. Success can make you feel accomplished, but it can also keep you in motion—always chasing the next milestone. Suffering forces you to stop. It strips away the nonessential and makes you look closely at what matters most.
It taught me empathy. When you’ve walked through something hard—loss, betrayal, uncertainty—you start to see those invisible weights in other people. You don’t just celebrate their wins; you notice their battles.
It also taught me resilience. Success can make you confident, but suffering proves you can survive the things you thought might break you. And once you’ve learned that, you lead differently. You serve differently. You live differently.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies our industry tells itself is that surface-level fixes are enough—that if you slap a little makeup on it, it’s ‘pretty,’ and pretty is the point. But beauty without depth is brittle. You can’t contour over loneliness, burnout, grief, or the ache of not being seen.
Here are a few other lies we tell ourselves:
“Speed equals service.” Rushing people through a ‘glow-up’ isn’t care; it’s throughput. Real service requires presence—listening, noticing, remembering.
“Trends are the truth.” We act like whatever is viral is what everyone should want. Real beauty is personal. It’s dignity, not a template.
“Confidence is a product.” We sell the idea that a serum or shade is confidence. Products can support confidence, but they don’t replace the inner work—belonging, boundaries, and self-respect.
“Results over relationship.” We prioritize the after-photo and forget the human in the chair. The chair should be a place of trust, not performance.
“Professionals should be perfect.” On the inside, too many beauty pros are exhausted. When the industry treats care as a commodity, the caregivers get treated like commodities too.
What I believe instead:
Beauty begins in the soul. Kindness, empathy, and how we treat one another show up on the face more honestly than any highlighter.
Hospitality heals. When a guest is seen and safe, their nervous system settles—and everything we do on the surface works better.
Consistency beats intensity. Small, thoughtful habits—skin health, scalp care, realistic maintenance—outperform quick fixes.
Values > vanity. Inclusivity, integrity, and education matter more than flawless feeds. If the experience lacks respect, the glow won’t last.
What that looks like at Karma:
We listen first. Consultations that start with “What’s going on in your life?” not just “What look do you want?”
We protect the client’s peace. No rush, no judgment, strong boundaries, and trauma-aware hospitality.
We teach, not just treat. Clear care plans, honest expectations, and maintenance that fits real life.
We care for the caregivers. Training, mentorship, humane schedules, and a culture that values character as much as craft.
If our industry wants to tell the truth, it’s this: the most powerful makeover is how a person feels about themselves when they leave. The skin, the hair, the makeup—that’s the canvas. The art is dignity, compassion, and the quiet confidence that grows when someone is genuinely cared for.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as a woman who loved deeply and led with both strength and softness. That I was kind and compassionate, yes—but also unwavering in protecting what mattered. I want them to say I was real, that I didn’t hide behind titles or appearances, and that I showed up for people in their joy and in their storms.
I hope they remember that I prayed for my team, my family, and my friends—and that I prayed with them when they needed it most. That I believed in lifting others up, not just with words, but with action, encouragement, and a faith that anchored me through every season.
The name Karma Spa Lounge & Beauty Bar has always been about more than the surface—it’s about the energy we put into the world and how it comes back to us. We’ve cultivated more than beauty here; we’ve cultivated confidence, compassion, and community. And I hope they say I never forgot that you can’t pour from an empty cup—that I poured into others because I was first filled with grace, faith, and purpose.
If there’s a story told about me when I’m gone, I want it to be that I cared enough to see people fully, fought for them when they couldn’t fight for themselves, and left them feeling stronger, braver, and more loved than they were before we met.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karmabeautybar.com
- Instagram: @karmaspalounge
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karmabeautybar
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/karma-spa-lounge-and-beauty-bar-southern-pines
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@karmabeautybar9846
