Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sara Triplett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
At 35 years old, I found myself unhappy with and unfulfilled by my career as a public-school educator. The decision to resign didn’t come overnight but as a result of years spent trying to reignite the spark and failing. Being married with two kids, carrying the family insurance, and making most of our income, this was not a decision that was made easily. I will never forget what my husband said right before I enrolled in beauty school, a place young Sara would have never even thought about. He said, “Look, we’re going to be stressed either way. Either we’re stressed because you’re unhappy or we’re stressed because we start back over financially. With the second one, I trust in the light at the end of the tunnel.” I am so thankful for him and his support. I learned so much in school – not only about esthetics as a craft, but as an industry. Through that learning and a whole lot of trial and error, I took another major risk: I decided that I wouldn’t work for anyone else that may have influence over what happened to me or my family and that I would open my own business after obtaining my license.
I could not be prouder to share that both risks have paid off beautifully. My husband will sometimes ask, “Do you really think you work less now?” And I remind him that the goal was never to work less, necessarily. I love to work. I just hated my job. That’s a very important distinction. I absolutely love what I do. I love the tangible success of seeing the numbers, filling a calendar, and hearing my name in positive conversations. I also love that I’m always learning new and better ways to help people. I love that I can meet people where they’re at and help them get to where they want to be. I have created a space that is light and welcoming. I have the flexibility to make my schedule around my family. Most of all, I love that I am happy with who I am and who I am able to be for those I care about most.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My journey started unexpectedly when I, someone who always wore makeup, stumbled upon a spa offering facials and skincare services. They had a promotion about reducing skin redness and it was the first time I considered that what I saw in the morning mirror wasn’t how it had to be. That experience was a turning point for me—I shifted my focus from hiding my skin to caring for it and rebuilding healthy skin that I no longer felt the need to cover.
When I thought about who I wanted to be as an esthetician and what I wanted to bring to this industry, I kept coming back to that experience and what made me book my first facial. I want to educate people. I want to make sure all people feel that they have a place in the esthetics industry. I want to offer a place where people can relax, feel pampered, and most importantly, feel seen. I want to help people understand the skin they’re in without overwhelming them, offering a judgment-free space where they can be themselves and feel good about it.
In brainstorming names for my business, I kept saying, “I want the vibe to be…” and thus, Vibin’ Skin Spa was born. Vibin’ Skin Spa isn’t concerned about fitting into the mold of a traditional spa. Here I wear comfy clothes to work. I admit when I don’t know something but commit to finding out. I have art on my wall that says “I’m a grown a– woman and I do what I want.” Sure, sometimes the speaker plays birds chirping, but sometimes it’s Jonathan Coulton’s Baby Got Back (look it up – worth it). At Vibin’ Skin Spa, I meet you where you are and help you get to where you want to be (while still serving the fancy water).
A lot of business consultants will tell you to find a niche in your chosen industry. What service will you excel in that will set you apart from others? For Vibin’ Skin Spa, the niche isn’t a specific service; it’s a feeling. I absolutely believe in the value of more traditional spas and want them to thrive, but I also believe there’s room for places like mine – spaces that offer something a little different – where the moms, the newbies, the overwhelmed, the seasoned vets… can all embrace themselves and their skin while having a damn good time.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
Every business owner is a salesperson. We all need customers to stay in business, and rarely do we have just one thing to sell. For example, a car dealership isn’t just about cars—they also make money from leasing, maintenance, accessories, and more.
For me, I never want to feel “salesy.” In my industry, retail products are a big part of the income, but my first year was focused solely on services. I was overwhelmed, learning about different brands, ingredients, and how to even get my name out there. When clients asked about products, I’d go down a rabbit hole, researching endlessly, only to offer way too many options and thus leaving them in the same place they were when they walked in.
That first year, I barely had any retail products on the shelf. I focused on gaining confidence in my services, organically learning about new products and ingredients as I went. Over time, as I built relationships and delivered results, I noticed my stomach stopped flipping when clients asked me for recommendations. My words no longer jumbled when people said things like, “I’m out of my moisturizer. Which one should I get?”
I think the best thing I did was not focus on selling anything other than my service that first year. In that time, I built trust and credibility. Now, in year two, retail is a bigger part of my business, and I still don’t feel “salesy.” Sure, I still worry about suggesting a pricier option over a cheaper one, but I’m much more confident that I’m doing so out of the client’s best interest – not my own – and they know it.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Know the rules and lead with integrity.
Running a business and managing a team of people who depend on you and your business for their livelihood is an incredibly important position to put yourself in. I believe in servant leadership and if a leader wouldn’t trade places with anyone else on the team at any given time, that’s a big red flag. Something I’ve learned the hard way is that employment laws are tricky and are commonly unknown and/or unfollowed in this particular industry. As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to know and follow these laws if you want to have a team and a healthy, thriving business. If you choose to take risks that could affect your business, it’s important to own that decision. But remember, the people who trust you to lead and manage them deserve fairness and respect.
While I don’t have a staff here at Vibin’ Skin Spa, my personal morale and management must be on point to be successful. I need to ensure I take care of myself mentally, emotionally, physically, and professionally so that I can continue to show up for my team: my clients. Fostering a space where we all succeed and feel valued is an integral part of my business and why I choose to run it the way I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vibinskinspa.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/vibinskinspa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vibinskinspa/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrssaratriplett/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCeAek_ZAqUxkhUeQTPrnQg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vibin-skin-spa-clive
- Other: Baby Got Back: https://open.spotify.com/track/20lGHKUzu3OH2D23VRpi44?si=c0a87ca465c94de7
Grown A– Woman print: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1226980712/im-a-grown-ass-woman-and-i-do-what-i?ref=shop_home_active_29&pro=1&sts=1&logging_key=6f62eb83d4e144865e288e9397c9a76a64245b34%3A1226980712
Don’t F– With My Energy print: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1228883112/dont-fck-with-my-energy-feminist-art?ref=shop_home_active_23&pro=1&sts=1&logging_key=7fa8c62814e353a963418da3750fac04db9b834c%3A1228883112
Image Credits
Belinda Arnett, owner of Stitch in Time Photography