Today we’d like to introduce you to Ami Montague.
Hi Ami, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I got married right out of high school—just four months after graduation—and became a mom at 18. It was 1990, and I was still trying to figure out who I was while suddenly being responsible for someone else. I was married and divorced within a year, and my ex-husband wasn’t very involved in raising our daughter, so it’s really always been the two of us.
In those early years, I was waiting tables at a Mexican restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and barely getting by. My mother—knowing I needed direction (and health insurance)—bribed me to apply to the nursing program at our local community college. I didn’t think I had a chance; they were only accepting 13 students out of more than 100 applicants. But to my surprise, I got in—and the course of my life changed completely.
Nursing school opened my eyes. I loved caring for people, but I was far too empathetic for traditional healthcare. I took home the pain of my patients and their families, which made me miserable. Instead of quitting, I decided to find a way to use my license differently—one that focused on restoring confidence and helping people feel like the best version of themselves. So, right after graduating in 1998, I enrolled in aesthetician school with the dream of blending nursing and aesthetics.
In 2003, after several years working in spas and with a plastic surgeon in San Diego, I was hired as a laser technician at a medical practice in Spokane, Washington. Lasers were still a new technology, and I was captivated by what they could do for the skin. I worked relentlessly—commuting over an hour each way from Idaho to Spokane, then working night shifts as a nurse at a skilled nursing facility. It was exhausting, but it taught me how to persevere and build a business from the ground up.
In 2010, life took me to Dallas after meeting someone on an airplane (the relationship didn’t last, but Dallas did!). I became an instructor at the National Laser Institute, where I taught injectables, laser biophysics, and laser safety for the next decade. Each month, I trained more than 20 new students—an experience that sharpened my skills and deepened my understanding of both anatomy and artistry.
Eventually, I joined the Allergan Medical Institute as a national trainer for Botox® and Juvéderm®, where I’ve spent the past eight years teaching injectors and continuing to expand my education. Teaching keeps me sharp—it pushes me to refine my technique and stay at the forefront of safety and innovation.
In 2020, I decided it was time to create something truly my own and opened Saltbox Apothecary + Aesthetics. Within a month of giving notice at my teaching position, the entire world shut down for the pandemic. I was terrified I’d made a mistake—but instead, the business flourished. Within months, Saltbox had over 300 patients and has continued to grow ever since.
For the first four years, I was a solo practitioner alongside my medical director, Dr. Max Adler. In 2024, Saltbox expanded into a larger space and became home to a small, talented team that truly feels like family. We’ve kept our boutique size intentionally—so our patients continue to feel seen, known, and cared for in a deeply personal way. I now know more than 700 people on an intimate level, and many have been with me for over a decade. Watching them evolve through life’s seasons has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.
I come from a family of artists (myself included), and that creativity influences everything I do. My daughter, Rye, is an incredibly talented artist and founder of her own brand, OpalMilk. She followed me to Dallas after graduating from the University of Idaho, and she and her husband, Charlie, live just minutes away. Rye is my heart, my greatest inspiration, and the reason I’ve worked so hard all these years.
It’s always been the two of us—through the struggles, the joy, and the shared journey of becoming entrepreneurs. I think that’s why Saltbox feels so personal to me. It’s not just a business; it’s a reflection of everything I’ve sacrificed, worked for, and believe in. It’s an expression of my artistry, my values, and my love for people and beauty.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has definitely not been smooth. Like most single moms, I’ve faced my share of financial, emotional, and professional hurdles. Without a safety net, I couldn’t afford to take big risks, and long work hours were a necessity. There were times I couldn’t even buy myself a Starbucks, but I was determined to work as much as it took to make sure we lived in safe neighborhoods and that my daughter attended good schools.
Years later, when I started Saltbox, the timing couldn’t have been worse on paper—I left my teaching position at the National Laser Institute just weeks before the entire world shut down for the pandemic. It was terrifying. But I kept showing up every day, trusting that if I built something genuine, people would feel that. And thank God, they did.
My biggest ongoing challenge has been balance—learning how to grow without losing what makes Saltbox special… and without losing myself in the process. I always joke that right now, my business is a toddler, and maybe I’ll have a little more personal time when she becomes a teenager.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Saltbox Apothecary + Aesthetics, we specialize in natural results—not overdone. Most people just want to look like themselves on their best day… not like a Kardashian!
I adore every treatment we offer. Years of teaching lasers and injectables gave me a discerning eye for technology, and I’ve handpicked every treatment based on performance and science, not trends. Our menu combines advanced injectables with regenerative and laser therapies, including Exosomes, Ariessence PDGF injections, and Selphyl PRFM. There’s truly something for everyone—men and women alike—whether they’re beginning their skin journey or maintaining long-term results.
Creating the Saltbox space was a true labor of love. I designed everything—from the floor plan to the décor—to reflect warmth, intention, and my love of plants. I even built the swinging doors that lead into our medroom (they’re in the photos!) because no one could make exactly what I envisioned. My home’s kitchen island wasn’t quite big enough, but I made it work—and cleaning up all the sawdust afterward was a full-time job in itself.
What I’m most proud of, though, is our culture. We greet every patient by name and genuinely care about their lives—their stories, milestones, and transformations. Saltbox was never meant to feel like a clinic; it was designed to feel like a welcoming space where you’re known, understood, and cared for. It’s like visiting a friend’s home—one where you just happen to leave looking refreshed and renewed.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Saltbox wouldn’t exist without the people who make it what it is—our patients and our team. Many of our patients have been with me since the very beginning. Their loyalty, referrals, and trust are the heartbeat of Saltbox, and they’ve allowed this business to grow into something far greater than I imagined. My staff is equally important—they bring warmth, professionalism, and heart to every interaction. Together, they’ve created a culture of care that I’m deeply proud of.
I’m also grateful to Allergan Aesthetics and the Allergan Medical Institute, along with my medical director, Dr. Max Adler. Their mentorship, collaboration, and trust have challenged me to keep refining my craft and raising the bar for both safety and artistry.
On a personal level, my mother and my lifelong friend, Mandy McCullough, both deserve special recognition. My mom is the one who nudged (okay, bribed) me into nursing school when I had no direction—and that single act changed my life. Mandy, who became a business owner before I did, has been a constant source of wisdom and encouragement. She’s shared her experiences generously and continues to be a sounding board whenever I need one.
And of course, my daughter, Rye. She’s been by my side through every chapter—every risk, every reinvention. Watching her become the artist and woman she is today makes every challenge along the way worthwhile.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saltboxdallas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltbox_apothecary
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltboxdallas/
- Youtube: @SaltboxApothecaryAesthetics
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/saltbox-apothecary-dallas?osq=Saltbox+Apothecary
Image Credits
Cai Chen Photography
