The Intuitive Nudge That Led Me to Build a Booming Beauty Empire

It was December 1999 when I officially opened the doors to my first salon—a space I envisioned as more than just a business. It was a dream grounded in the desire to help people feel truly amazing, to float out of the building lighter, more confident, and more at peace than when they walked in. That sense of transformation — emotional as much as physical — was the heartbeat behind it all. But to truly understand the “why,” we need to go back a little further.

The Spark That Started It All

At the time, I was working in the corporate sector. I had what many would call a "good job" — solid role, great conditions, and a clear career path ahead. But something inside me was unsettled. I couldn’t rationalize it, but I felt a deep pull that I wasn’t meant to stay. It wasn't dissatisfaction exactly — just a growing sense that my soul belonged somewhere else, doing something more connected, more meaningful.

During this time, I found myself visiting a little Aveda Concept salon in the inner city, close to where I worked. It was nothing fancy — I would usually pop in for a quick lip or brow wax. But what stood out to me was how much care they put into something so simple. The attention to detail, the calming rituals, the way they finished each service with a touch of makeup, and those divine, botanical aromas that lingered on your skin — it was all so intentional, so special. That was the spark that started it all and here I am 25 years later.

This was in the early days of Aveda, when the brand was still fresh, aspirational, and making waves globally. There was something magnetic about the whole experience. It felt different. Elevated. Uplifting. I was hooked — not just on the products, but on the way the experience made me feel. It planted a seed that maybe, just maybe, I could create something similar. A place where every detail mattered. A sanctuary where people could come not just for a service, but for a genuine shift in how they felt about themselves.

The Nudge I Needed

Then, in mid-1999, the company I was working for underwent an internal reshuffle. For most, it was just one of those standard corporate things. But for me, it was the push I needed. That quiet nudge from the universe, God, fate — whatever you choose to call it — telling me it was time. Despite all logic, despite the comfort of security, I knew in my gut I had to leave.

By August, I had resigned. Within two months, I’d found a location, signed a lease, and we began the fit-out. It all happened so fast, and yet it felt completely right. My partner at the time, now my husband, was incredibly supportive. He was already in business himself, with a strong entrepreneurial mindset, so having him by my side made the leap feel a little less terrifying. He believed in me, and more importantly, he understood that unshakable calling to create something of your own.

Opening the doors that December felt surreal. I had gone from corporate life — filled with deadlines, meetings, and structured roles — to running a beauty business built on connection, touch, and transformation. I had no idea what lay ahead, but I knew why I was doing it: to help people feel good and experience something of what I had felt in that Aveda Salon in the midst of a hectic corporate workday.

From the beginning, I was obsessed with the client experience. I wanted every person who walked through our doors to feel nurtured, seen, and cared for. Whether they were coming in for a facial, a wax, or a product consultation, my goal was always the same — that they would leave feeling lighter, glowing not just on the outside, but on the inside too.

The Philosophy Hasn’t Changed

The industry has changed dramatically since 1999, but one thing I’ve always done well is listen — to the market and, more importantly, to our clients. People don’t just want cheap prices; they want real value. I believe in value-stacking: delivering exceptional customer service, results-driven treatments with thoughtful inclusions, irresistible offers, and most of all, warm, nurturing therapists — a rare gem in any industry.
We’ve evolved with our clients, introducing innovative brands, advanced treatments, cutting edge modalities, and a thriving online superstore. Yet our core purpose hasn’t changed: to create a space where people pause, reconnect, and leave feeling better than when they arrived.

In hindsight, I can see how much of this journey was guided by intuition. It wasn’t logical to leave a secure, well-paying job for the uncertainty of business ownership. But it was aligned. It was right for my soul. And looking back now, I’m so grateful I listened to that whisper of instinct. Because it led me here — to a life built around purpose, passion, and people. I am truly living my dream and I am very grateful.

A Calling That Still Inspires

What started with a simple wax appointment and a beautifully scented product line has grown into a lifelong mission to elevate the way we care for our skin and ourselves. To empower people with knowledge, nurture them with healing hands, and offer them a moment of stillness in a busy world.

I often say that we don’t just treat skin — we support, educate, and uplift. It’s about the full experience. From the warm welcome to the thoughtful aftercare, every touchpoint matters. Every client matters. And creating that feeling of being held, seen, and appreciated — that’s the magic. That’s the floating feeling I had all those years ago at that little Aveda salon. That’s what I wanted to recreate, and I truly believe we’ve done that — and continue to do that — every day.

Gratitude To Our Brilliant Clients – Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe

My therapists always say… Atone clients are the best clients…., we have such wonderful, interesting, professional, clever, no nonsense, real clients. It is a pleasure to serve them and help them achieve their skin goals. So to our loyal clients, to those who have been with us from the beginning and those just discovering us now — thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your skin, your stories, and your time. You’re the reason we do what we do. 

25 years in, and it still feels like I’m just getting started — the vision keeps growing, and there’s still so much more I’m driven to bring to life."
And to anyone standing on the edge of a big decision, wondering whether to leap — I say this: if something is calling you, even if it doesn’t make perfect sense on paper, listen. The heart often knows what the mind hasn’t figured out yet.

Here’s to the journey, the beauty of change, and the power of following your purpose.

With love,
Bridgit
Founder, Atone Skin