Life & Work with Angela Padgett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Padgett.

Hi Angela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My story started with my Grandmother in North Carolina… my Grandmother was an Aesthetician before anyone ever understood the name. My Grandmother was more of a platform makeup artist by trade. Either way, my Grandmother gave me a few back treatments at fifteen since I had ungodly breakouts on my back. After the second treatment, my acne was essentially gone. I found it magic so to speak.This and among other reasons, I decided that I wanted to open a Destination Spa. I remember building my destination spa with sea water in mind in high school, understanding that back in the day, this was the only true spa at the time. This was my dream. I then moved to Los Angeles to study Esthetics. Up until then, I had worked in Los Angeles as a facialist in a more clinical setting with Ole Henriksen as well as The Rodeo Collection. It was such a wonderful time to learn with many great leaders.

Then as my Grandparents aged, I had to make the hard decision to move back. I moved back to NC and opened Skin Sense Face and Body Works in Raleigh, NC in September 1991. I then understood how hard it was to build a Skincare Business. After marketing with “The Independent” and “The Spectator Magazine”, most people would call and ask “What is a Facial?” I realized at this point, it would take a lot of education. I ended up building my business at that time through waxing and gift cards. I would then discuss skincare needs with my clients to build that education. Afterward,I then hired a Manicurist, and then a Massage Therapist. Even then, Massage Therapy was a new frontier. 

We were in 600 square feet and realized that we needed more.. I still wished for my destination spa, although I still was enjoying the clinic in which we had.

In 1996, I realized that we needed to move our clinic to a larger location. During this time, a facialist/ owner in Los Angeles, god bless her soul, created the word DAY SPA. She, whomever she was, flipped the industry on its head, for it opened many doors to our industry. I ended up opening the first Day Spa in Raleigh. It was fabulous! We, as most business owners, had much angst. I have no problems speaking of our early days. We took on 2100 sqft. Only to realize in the first week that we made a huge mistake… We did not take enough. It took us years to correct that mistake, so we took on other locations, in Cary, then Brier Creek.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Oh Gosh. In thirty years, we have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Trust me, we have had a fabulous ride. As I mentioned before, we started out with 600 sq.ft. We opened a Cary, NC location and had it for eight years and then had a fire. We then moved to another Cary Location to a spa that had closed only to find out that folks in Cary don’t travel. We were there for five years.

We opened our Brier Creek Location in 2004. We operated for ten years successfully. However, with the idea of all of the new membership franchises, We had a hard time for a few years, until clients realized what a true day spa meant for them, along with their wellness. We then took another route. We began working with WakeMed. Whom we still have a good working relationship. Covid unfortunately has kept us out. However, when WakeMed should reopen fully, we look to return in some capacity or another. We have maintained our 30 year old North Raleigh Location and continually thrive. During this time, we also have opened a Salt Cave in our North Raleigh location. Salt Caves are relatively new to the US, however in Europe present weekly wellness sessions thrive.. Salt is sedative by nature, and Himilayan Salt is the purest form of salt on the planet. I actually stumbled upon a salt cave when I was sleep deprived, this cave set me on the path of regularity of healthy sleep habits. I then knew that having a salt cave was best for our spa. Salt not only is wonderful for regulating sleep, but is also great for upper respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma. Although, we cannot make claims, salt in this form is great for regulating blood pressure and many other ailments. We now have adults and children coming in on a weekly basis.

I am so excited by our North Raleigh location that over the last thirty years have thrived year after year. I so want to thank the ongoing clients that love our spa. We look forward to providing exemplary service to our clients with Skin and body care along with our salt cave and many state-of-the-art treatments.

What makes our location different is that we have a fabulous retail area, a relaxation area, locker room, steam rooms as well as a Muditation room, couples room and suites.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

As a business owner, what we are most proud of is our training within. We look to always move our front forward and always train our therapist with CE’s when we can or to train with items that they can always grow.

I love to train in house and grow all the staff. Many have good things to say regarding this. My hope is that our staff have so much to give within, and when they move on, they feel that we gave them life-long training to grow their careers. This is what I hear anyway. Which gives me love and admiration for all of our wonderful therapists. Since our induction, we have many signature facial, massage and body treatments.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?

Yes, during Covid and our shut down, it gave us the opportunity to clean the spa thoroughly, and do updates such as managing our check in to make it touchless and streamlined which we are currently working.

We have learned the power of Aromatherapy and all that it offers. However, we certainly cannot make medical claims. We have also learned the power of our salt cave. The biggest part is that we have learned the power of relaxation and home care. Taking care of your body through nutrition, exercise and relieving stress is paramount.

Pricing:

• Massage $75+
• Facials $95+
• Salt Cave $30.
• Medidtation $45

Contact Info:

• Website: www.skinsense.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skinsenseadayspa/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinsense_dayspa/
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skinsenseadayspa
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/skinsense