Meet Kristin Barton of Vivian’s Boutique Spa in Lower Greenville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Barton.

Kristin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in finance, I moved to NYC to work on Wall Street as an analyst with Goldman Sachs. It was a wonderful opportunity and I learned a lot of skills that I still use today, but, ultimately, I realized I wanted to take my career in a different direction. On one trip back home to Texas, I hosted a baby shower for my sister at a day spa. While we enjoyed our services, we didn’t feel the experience was very personal. I left that day with the tiny seeds of an idea that I wanted to open my own day spa. I wanted to create a spa where guests could receive personalized experiences and celebrate what is important to them, both for special occasions and for the everyday. Over the next eight years, I worked at a day spa in NYC, attended spa conferences, worked on a business plan, & saved money to open my own spa. The road was a little longer than I anticipated but it made opening our doors even more special.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being a first-time small business owner has been a learning experience in so many ways. I developed a detailed business plan, but things don’t always go as planned! One bump in the road was the actual location of the spa. I initially placed a deposit on a cute space near Uptown, but over a year passed, and issues with building codes weren’t corrected, so I had to begin the location process all over again. Despite the difficulties, that situation led to my current location on Lower Greenville, and I absolutely love the eclectic vibe of the neighborhood! I live in East Dallas, so this is a great fit for me, both personally and professionally.

Please tell us about Vivian’s Boutique Spa.
Vivian’s Boutique Spa offers massages, facials, waxing, & mani / pedis in a toxin-free environment. Part of what makes Vivian’s different from other spas is our attention to detail and our personalized service. The “Boutique” in our name refers to our cozy, intimate setting. From our décor – including custom, craftsman-made pedicure chairs – to our first-name-basis relationship with clients, our goal is to offer a unique, welcoming spa experience. One of the things I’m most proud of is the positive environment our team has created. We’ve had clients comment on the positive energy of the space, and I’m so pleased our positivity shines through!

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I don’t know that I would do things differently, because I’ve learned a lot along the way; however, I wish I had known how hectic and fast-paced the opening stage would be. There was so much to do, and it felt like there wasn’t enough time to tackle it all. I’m a big planner and I was forced to shoot from the hip, which was a little uncomfortable for me. But, at the end of the day, I think it’s about the overall journey and I’m very happy with how it all came together.

Pricing:

• Manicures $25 – $55
• Pedicures $40 – $75
• Massages $100 – $155
• Facials $110 – $185
• Seasonal Spa Packages – $200 – $315

Contact Info:

• Address: 5420 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75206
• Website: www.viviansdallas.com/
• Phone: 214-484-4714
• Email: kristin@viviansdallas.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/viviansspa/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ViviansDallas/

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