10/15/2026
Memory Lane of the last 7 Years
I can't believe we are celebrating 8 Years on Friday, October 16th! It feels long and short. I know I don't send out many emails with more than just a few sentences, but on this anniversary I'd love to share bit & pieces with you all.
For those who don’t know, we started out as a pop-up within another shop. We were tiny and only had 5 brands. What started out as a, “Let's see if this catches on!” idea, only to quickly grow. Within that first year I knew we needed a bigger space all our own.
I looked for months for the perfect space centrally located in Portland within a bustling neighborhood. After searching with no luck, I happened upon a Facebook post that changed everything. I knew it was it! By that time, I believe we had grown to probably 10-12 brands. As scary as it was to sign a long-term lease, I sure hoped this new neighborhood would love me as much as I already loved it. We moved in and opened on February 15th, 2020....
Little did we know that the pandemic would be arriving in a month and it shut us down for 2 months. No questions asked, we were lumped into the salon and spa categories. Of course I was devastated and scared. So the only thing left to do was move all the product home to my house and ship from there. Thank goodness my husband insisted I have an online shop open and ready when we moved to our new location.
The next six months were interesting. I did lots of online videos, zooms with clients, and shipped all over. I don't think I sold more than a handful of lipsticks the first years of the pandemic, lol. When the world of Portland was finally opening up, we offered pick up days and small windows of indoor shopping. It was a wild time and our skincare category sky rocketed. You all had the time to care for yourselves in a meaningful way and your at home routines were the best they had been in quite some time.
The next 2 years were awkward, but also fun. Lots of new things started arriving in the shop based on you wanting more. Skincare was now a major portion of our stock and it was super exciting to learn about skin. Those couple of years were filled with new clients finally getting married after the pandemic and people needing new makeup after staying home for such a time. I helped so many brides and new makeup wearers - it was so full of love!
Year 4: We launched our in-house skincare line! Rodi, of Rose Alchemista (https://www.instagram.com/rodibragg/) , became a close sister to me and we formulated together as she brought the line to life. So many of you showed up in the pouring rain to help us celebrate. I couldn't believe we had come so far. Our line still remains a top seller and we expanded into our own body oil and fragrance roller as well. That was so special and tender!
Year 5: Lots of new brands emerging and lots more skincare, so much fun learning and exploring. This is the year I went to esthetician school! I had the amazing support of staff and family and went for my dreams. Being back in school while in your early 40s while most of the other students were barely 20 was pretty hilarious. Passed the exams and the state boards with flying colors! We also had a special visitor from Canada, Jenn from Cheekbone Beauty! And as a family we had lots of little vacays that were so fun. I also returned to run Hood to Coast with Native Women Run, which was super special.
Year 6: We started off with Native events with the Northwest Native Chamber and a special feature at the Rose Garden all month (literally 2 giant posters of me on the concourse, that was wild and exciting!). I also got to pose for a very special calendar about women in business with Alist (https://www.instagram.com/alist_wsw/) (the best networking group). This is also the year I cut all my hair off. The first couple years of my 40s were glorious but also brutal. Perimenopause on high! The highlight was finding a new home for Coral Story Beauty so we could expand!
Year 7: New store, new us, new services!!! It has definitely been a year of change and finding our groove. We doubled in space and added 2 treatment rooms. We also have an amazing entertaining space to host special events with our community called the Green Haus. For me, offering facials and being with you has been so fulfilling and wonderful. I love taking care of people - definitely my calling!
Year 8: I'm so excited for this new year for us! I want to thank my amazing staff from past and present, you've been a part of creating this safe container for everyone we see day after day. Ingrid, thank you for dealing with all my Aquarius-ness, we don't run without you. We have amazing things brewing and I can't wait to share what we are up to!
Join me on Friday, October 16th for memories and love. I'll also be in this Sunday & Monday too even if you just want to give me a little squeeze. :)
On Saturday, Oct 17th, I will be Celebrating Bare Beauty PDX (https://www.instagram.com/barebeauty.pdx/) turning 10!!!! A huge Congratulations! I'll be vending and celebrating Kara (https://www.instagram.com/barebeautybabe.kara/) and her team (FYI, my personal waxer and lash lift artists!). Tickets (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10yr-anniversary-party-tickets-1999979066225?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0DMTAwAHBkb2YCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnZPoqikaZ0PZ7Op0ZX7ENMoFIKr6fWTHyqyZRLzU6YsLexWp08nK7vF4zyUI_aem_XwFchbp9Hd4Yw4AZRrUDVg) still available if you'd like to join us.
OK, OK finally, thank you for following along on my look back. I still can't believe the space we have created. It is definitely not defined by just me, but all of you. I am so lucky that so many of you trust us with your care. As an Aquarius I'm always looking for ways to support and uplift our community, sprinkled with some whimsy and spontaneity.
If you'd like to tell us your favorite memory, feeling, event, or product, we'd love to post them throughout the shop. Hit reply or respond on our Instagram Story.
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