We were lucky to catch up with Tamatha Pope recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tamatha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

I started my career in beauty and wellness as a licensed professional all the way back in 1997, when I obtained my first license for nail technology. Since then, I have expanded my repertoire to include aesthetics, body sculpting and now business ownership.

There is absolute value in adding credentials to your personal portfolio, not only for job advancement and monetary gain, but for gaining self love through pushing yourself to achieve these goals.
This teaches you self respect, self love and value.
If you came from a upbringing or a childhood that did not provide these very important attributes for you, then it is imperative you start now.
Time to get moving!
As a child and young adult, I was always doing something beauty related, just out of sheer interest. Making fingernails out of blades of grass and Elmer’s glue, to bleaching my hair with no help! Of course that resulted in pink hair and is not something I advise. But, to me, if you have that passionate interest in any area; That is your instincts gently nudging you to take the next step, to expand your knowledge. Keep learning, Get that degree, license or certificate. Then Hang on for a wild ride.
I graduated at the top of my class at that time, winning special awards for areas of focus that I was excelling at, so my confidence was good, but I came to learn soon after launching into the public, working for a high end day spa and many clients that no matter what your skills have the potential to be, There are going to be ego shattering days at work, making you believe that you can’t possibly do this, and what were we thinking, believing that we could actually do this work, that we should just give up and quit because we’re not good enough.
I almost gave up early on after making a very costly mistake with a client at work that ruined her vintage Louis Vuitton speedy bag. Thank goodness I was working for great people that wouldn’t let me quit,when I tried. but they taught me the lesson of value by making me pay every week out of my pay, until that bag was replaced.
I’m so glad I didn’t quit like I wanted to back then. I hated it, I was embarrassed, but I stood and I dealt with it. Now, well over 20 years later, here I am, owing my very own high end day spa, and encouraging others. I love that the most about my profession, The lives you touch.
Staying mentally healthy and strong is a priority though. You could easily get sucked into negativity or drama in our industry, or any.
I made up my mind a long time ago to steer clear of that and stay in the moment with my clients. Remembering that it is truly about them, and not me. Do this, and you are well on your way to success.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have a deep passion for helping myself and others. When I find things that are effective and work well in my research, I first try them on myself, and then my gift is sharing the benefits that I find with my clients.

Not only does that include hard-to-find, affective, and non-surgical treatments for fat loss and aging skin, but also healing the mind, body, and spirit as a whole.

I believe that there is a higher purpose that I am here to achieve, that of course involves the best results that we can get in skin and body care, but it is truly so much more than skin deep, so I just keep moving, keep learning and keep listening to my intuition. This means making a conscious effort to ground myself, everyday, especially in the face of adversity. This does not mean that I do not tremble in fear sometimes with life’s trials and challenges. It just means that I believe in doing it afraid (whatever “it”is)
This way, we can shed the victim mentality and actually learn something from it, so we can move to the next level. It’s imperative.
There will always be trials and challenges, but I do my best to address them head-on, surrender them to a higher place and do my best every day to just stay in the moment, I love what I do, I love the people I am with and do the best job that I can for them and myself. I do my best to recognize what I cannot change and release those things with love while staying mindful about what I can change or make better , I love to help my clients learn to do this if they are interested. So we treat much more than the outer appearance. It’s about the inside too. Clients often become lifelong friends or family to me. Since this is an area in my own life that was lacking, it has given and shown me a family type of love that I never possessed, it has been such a fulfilling career to me. Often taking the place of live and belonging that I never knew I needed.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivoting ebbs and flows in life for all of us. My most memorable pivot was working for others my entire career and suddenly being at the crossroads in my own life.
My 23 year long marriage had suddenly and unexpectedly ended. My 3 children were all grown and gone.
I lived in the beautiful and snowy mountains of Asheville North Carolina for the last 19 years and worked for the best spas in the area,
I suddenly realized I wanted to make my own schedule, stop giving half of my hard earned money away and build something for myself and my children, since now all that I ever knew and relied on were now gone.
I felt sorry for myself for about 6 months, then I got on with things. No more wallowing. That’s where being in touch with our souls come in. When you struggle, if you ask from your heart, then wait and listen, the answer comes.
And it did. Big time. Bravery is next. Not saying I wasn’t scared, but again, I believe in being scared and doing it anyway.
I didn’t want to deal with ice and snow and a big house alone. I didn’t want to work for others anymore. I had to now make up for lost time and finish strong for myself but more importantly, my children.
So, I left it all behind me. . I found this beautiful gem of a business in Murrells Inlet, SC ( 5 hours away, due East) and to the ocean we go!
My friends and children thought first I would lay down and die when their Dad left suddenly.
But shortly changed their mind to thinking I lost my mind when I announced my plans, to suddenly move away and start completely over in an area with no friends, no family, no anything except my new dream and tenacity. Especially, when I shared that in order to make this work for financial reasons, I would be living in an RV for about 5 months and this is exactly what I did.
It was very humbling and challenging and even cold at the beach here, but I did it! I learned so much from from that experience. Glad I did it. Sometimes you just have to do what it takes.
However, The best acknowledgment came when about a year into my new acquisition, my daughter Amber, was sitting on the bed of the guest bedroom of my new apartment and said, “
“Wow Mom, I’ve got to say, I just didn’t think you had it in you to actually do this.”
Was she proud of me? Yes, that’s how it felt and it has fueled me. That’s the voice I hear when things get tough and of course they do. But, that was my confirmation that my hard choice was paying off. Onward!
I hope I showed my kids that you have to build back better when you get knocked down.
Take your time to heal. But then get up and let’s do this!

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge I believe that is is most imperative to have a spiritual connection with your higher power. Whomever or whatever that means to you. We must have a place where we can let it all go. Because God (as we each understand him) really does care and love us. Can I trust in and believe that? Yes. I do and I must. My happiness and fulfillment depends on it.
It’s not about religion. It is about connection, communication and relationship. That keeps me grounded and strong through the hardest of trials.
Although I know it’s impossible to not have trials, but I’m hoping the next and final chapters of my life are more of a glorious coasting. I’m ready for more ease in my life and welcome it now.

Contact Info:

• Website: avocecavilipo@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/avocecreeksidesalonandspa?r=nametag
• Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/bodysculptingmurrellsinlet/
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/Avoce-CAVI-Lipo-Creekside-salon-Murrells-inlet-2?osq=Body+Contouring

Image Credits
All personally taken by me and approved sharing by my clients.