Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelique Pettie.
Angelique, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
A Passion with Purpose!
For many of us, we are often told to “find your purpose, find your passion”. I heard this many times throughout my life, but I didn’t absorb it until I was well into my late 40’s. In 2005, I wanted to do something different than the graveyard shift at the post office; I wanted a “blessed life”, not a stressed life. I wanted to be my own boss. Make my own hours, dictate “my rate of pay”. In 2005, I enrolled in Massage Therapy school and completed that Certification in five months. Becoming a Massage Therapist taught me the meaning of “intent”. To be intentional in my touch, would always have a positive effect on my clients, as it makes a difference in the healing process of the body, mind, and soul. But was this my passion or my purpose?
With Massage Therapy school completed, I was ready to take on every aching muscle in the world; so I thought. I was the mother of a teenager daughter battling acne, eczema, and daily bullying from other kids about her acne, so my next venture was to learn all that I could about the skin, so I enrolled in the Esthetics Program at Clary Sage College in Tulsa, Oklahoma and received my Certification in Esthetics and passed by State Board exam in 2007. Esthetics started to feel like my passion, as I became more passionate about helping others resolve issues with their skin; but there was so much more beneath the surface of the skin that I wanted to reach.
After receiving my Massage Therapist Certification in 2005 and my Esthetics License in 2007, I left the postal service and moved to Houston, Texas and started a new career in the Spa Industry as a Licensed Skin Care Therapist. But I still wasn’t truly my “own boss”. I worked on a really good commission at a very high end spa, but they still dictated the clients they would give me and how much access I could have to each client.
I spent two years in Houston working at this spa, and then a relationship led me to Austin/Cedar Park, Texas in 2010 and it was during that season of my life that I allowed my dreams to fade, and my purpose and passion drifted away. The relationship ended, but the fire slowly became ignited again to live out my dream of being my own boss and to cultivate a plan to be that boss was taking off. During my time in Austin/Cedar Park, I was employed with a major Insurance Company as an Adjuster, and with that company, I was graced with a transfer to the Dallas Metroplex in 2017. The move was difficult at first, as my son was entering his junior year of high school, but we both understood the adage, “change is inevitable”, was already happening. As believers and followers of Christ, our faith was being made stronger, we just didn’t realize it at the time how important that was and what it was about to do in our lives. In Dallas, we got planted in Shoreline City Church, got connected with women and men of God who helped cultivate our hearts and souls which lit the fire in me to listen to the voice of God and trust his plans and after only one year in Dallas, I stepped out on faith and opened The Skin Den. I finally understood what passion and purpose meant for me; it meant living with passion that serves a purpose.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A Renewed Passion and Purpose.
The journey to The Skin Den has been anything but smooth, and definitely not easy. Detours, potholes, and roadblocks have been all along the pathway. However, when I paid attention, and “intentionally” sought out advice and encouragement from others with the same mindset, every stop sign, green and yellow light has had moments of anxiety and joy. The biggest obstacle along the way for me was fear. Fear of failing. Fear of not being enough. Fear of not knowing enough or doing enough. Fear of not having enough to just get started was silently overwhelming. But, God!
My disobedience to God in every area of my life delayed my dream coming to fruition. Knowing of his promises for a life of abundance and peace required and requires my obedience to his call upon my life. Realizing that God wanted me to dream beyond the stars is exciting, but embracing His words and his wisdom is a real requirement to obtain all that he has planned for me and my business. With that said, I came to realize that I was doubting myself about everything. Doubt is fear and I had to let it go. I choose to surround myself with “pour people”. Pour people are those who “pour life into you” instead of draining the life out of you. Community and connections are priceless and are vital in our growth as humans, believers, and business owners. As a “pourer” myself, I choose to do the same with every guest of The Skin Den.
The Skin Den is now in its fifth month of business and while growth is slow, I have learned to be patient. I realize in this season of business growth, I must grow too. I am continuously educating myself on new modalities and products so when the guests show up, not only will their skin will be hungry, but if their minds and souls are heavy, I will be well prepared to feed the “whole person”, not just their skin.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Skin Den – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Skin Den: Cultivating healthy from heart to sole! A Passion with Purpose.
The Skin Den is a skincare studio that specializes in treating Skin of Color but cares for all skin types and conditions. I have been licensed as a Skin Care Therapist (Esthetician) for 12 years and I am known for my genuine desire to improve the health of the skin, body, mind, and soul. My guests would probably say, “she keeps it real” and is passionate about skin health and getting to know you and your Mama too! My past clients and new clients will also tell you how comfortable and at ease they feel when they come into my space. This is why I named my business, The Skin Den. In our den at home, we can let go and relax. That’s what I want everyone to feel as if they are at home!
I am most proud of The Skin Den (even though it is only a single room, with a small closet) because every guest who visits has a “skin story” to share and how much they want to change something about themselves. I created The Skin Den to be the place where guests can take off all masks, makeup, and even their hair and leave all negativity here. We are all God’s masterpieces! My focus and intent is to transform what they see in the mirror as a problem, into a praise!
At The Skin Den, I take the time to listen, laugh, love, repeat! Every issue we have flows from the heart. I listen to learn. I laugh because it’s good for the soul, and I love because Jesus loves me! He loves all of us!
I believe what sets me apart from others is all the above and realizing that my passion is empowered by purpose and grace. My heart is flesh, no longer stone, and it’s easy to have the latter when we don’t embrace that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God as he made beauty from ashes!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My future plans are without ceilings! As my son will enter college this fall, I am praying and expecting The Skin Den to be my “all the time” calling. It’s difficult for me to call what I love to do a job, so it is my calling. I still currently work full-time as an Insurance Adjuster, and I am radically praying for God to move me away from that and into The Skin Den full-time.
As for location, I dream to have my own Studio with several treatment rooms with a Sauna, Wet room, and Meditation room in the near future. I also look forward to reaching and serving as many organizations that support women and men in Safe Houses who have left domestic or abusive relationships, and those who have left and hope to leave the trap of Human Trafficking.
My biggest challenge, long-term, is seeking living and working space in the Caribbean to live and work in purpose and share my passion with others around the world. My life is not my own. As a believer, daughter, sister, mother, aunt, great-aunt, friend, educator, business woman, I have a responsibility to serve others, motivate others. My pastors, Earl and Oneka McClellan remind me and encourages me that we are all called to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus and to be intentional to make it here on earth as it is in heaven. Some might say, that’s too religious for a business or even this article, but I call it making a true difference in the lives of others and living with a heart of Christ. Peace and blessings!
The mission of The Skin Den is to transform potential into reality while rejuvenating the mind, body, and soul and to motivate each guest to look beyond the skin and into their heart.
Pricing:
- Facials currently range from $50 – $100.00 and all are Custom Treatments for women and men.
- Body Treatments and Beard Treatments also currently range from $50-$125.00.
- Products used at The Skin Den are: Dermalogica, FarmHouse Fresh, M’lis, and Confident Concoctions.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Skin Den
Village Salons-Lakewood
7331 Gaston Avenue, Suite 222
Dallas, TX 75214
469-403-1008 - Website: www.theskinden.com
- Phone: 469-403-1008
- Email: angelique@theskinden.com
- Instagram: Coming soon!
- Facebook: The Skin Den
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
