We recently connected with Monee McElveen and have shared our conversation below.
Monee , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
Peace & Harmony Day Spa (My Business) is certainly not an overnight success. There were (and still are) a lot of long nights when my children are asleep and a lot of tears from frustration. Social Media makes every business seem so easy, yet many do not understand the work that goes into building a sustainable brand.
When I completed my Massage Therapy program in 2019 I began studying for South Carolina State Board. After completing and passing my State Board exam, I begin to execute my business. After working full time as a new business owner, straight out of Massage Therapy School…. yes, you guessed correctly… I had zero clients. I fell completely on my face. I was a single mother with bills piling up, and here I was a new business owner with zero clients and making zero dollars. I did what any mother would do and I went back to work full time. I worked this full time job for 2 years, and boy was I glad I went back to work because Covid set in and my business for forced to shut down anyway. Even though the world had shut down I would still share helpful selfcare and Massage Therapy tips on my social media platform. When we were able to start taking clients again, because of the education I was putting out clients begin to book with me. One client led to the next. My business begin to reach so many people and my calendar continue to fill up. As I made money I learn how to delegate each dollar in order to put my business in a place where it learned how to become self sustainable.
Monee , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Absolutely, so my name is Monee McElveen and I am 33yrs old. I have two children whom I do everything in the world for, they are my everything. I graduated from Coker University with a background in Psychology. You might be asking at this point, How did I end up in Massage Therapy? Well there are many reasons and as I grow as an Entrepreneur I realize them even more. In the beginning I was searching for a career I could take part in that did not require to much of me nor did it take to much time away from my children. I wanted to be able to spend as much time with my children as possible. I worked as a Counselor for a few Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse companies, but they all required so much of my time that I hated it. I hated trading so much of me in return for bank deposits. I wanted something I absolute loved doing so that I never felt like working and I get to spend time with my babies.
At Peace & Harmony Day Spa we provide Therapeutic services that include Massages, Post Operative Care, Detoxing, Body Contouring & Facials. Our mission is to provide the most relaxing services to our clients so they always feel like they have escaped the worries of the world, even if it’s just for one hour.
I currently sell Shape-wear items in my spa for Post operative clients. I also have an Entrepreneur T-shirt Brand that is pretty dope.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I started my social media presence with Instagram first. I simply created a new account and started posting. I wanted people to know that a new business was on the way and I would share the behind the sciences of me setting up for my very first Massage suite. From there I continue to post consistently on my page and as it begin to grow I opened other social media account and begin posting consistently. Today I have started a Youtube Channel and its is beginning to grow as well.
My advice to any new business owner is to choose one platform and start there. Which platform do you currently spend most of your time on? Figure it out, and begin promoting your business on this account. Also be consistent. Consistent with your branding colors and the topics you discuss in your business.
Any advice for managing a team?
My advice would be to lead by example. Pour into your employees and encourage them along their journey. Explain to your employees what’s expected of them and express how important the business is. If an employee if doing something that you do not agree with, it’s important to remember that we all make mistakes. Consult with your team members on the issue and explain why it is not okay, and how to respond moving forward. Start being open with your team and they will thank you for it. You and your team members are partners and they will thank you for the lessons you share with them along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.peacehamronydayspa.com
- Instagram: @theanissamonee
- Facebook: Peace & Harmony Day Spa
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtDiVPbLlfBjw8WaKl8JwYA
- Mentoring Website: www.theanissamonee.com
- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theanissamonee
Image Credits
AYS Media : William Stukes Content Creator: Keeping Up With Ce