I am enjoying interviewing professionals and mom bosses about their line of work or their side hustles. Today I am sharing an interview with Christine and Tobi of New England Skin Center. These friends started their own medical spa together and are sharing how they balance running a business and motherhood.
- Tell us about yourselves, your friendship, and your journey to motherhood.
Christine: My name is Christine McMackin and I am the co-owner and co-founder of New England Skin Center. I have my MSN, FN-P, NPC, and am a certified advanced aesthetics specialist. I am a proud mom of one son, and I work with my best friend Tobi Baker-Daigle.
Tobi: I, Tobi, am the other co-owner and co-founder and am an RN and a specialized cosmetic registered nurse injector. I am often deemed as the “natural look nurse injector” and am a happy mom of one son and daughter. When we decided to embark on our business journey, we chose to work with each other because we both have a passion for beauty, a mutual respect for one another, and both had a dream to open our practice. It’s been a little over a year since we opened our own medical spa, New England Skin Center, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to open a business together. Not only have we seen great success, we’ve formed meaningful relationships with our clients and deepened our friendship together.
- What inspired you to launch your own medical spa business?
We knew that in order to be the mothers and partners we wanted to be, working for ourselves was the only option. We needed and wanted the ability to control our own schedules. We had the idea to create a space where we could practice the craft we love and build a place where we could spread love and create beauty. Being women, we intimately understand the pressures women face and wanted our business to be a space that is judgement free.
- Tell us about the decision to leave your careers.
We were just two women who trusted each other and who, after decades of working for other people, decided we wanted to combine our experience into something greater and better than what was already offered in the industry. Going into it, we knew we wanted free reign on creating a space where everyone who walked into our doors was celebrated and loved, and didn’t feel judged.
- How does running your own business help with the mental load of working motherhood?
Knowing we can make our own hours and schedule clients’ appointments helps with the mental load of being working moms. We know we can be there for our family when we need to be, and having created a business with each other helps even more. We both understand the requirements and unpredictability of motherhood and help each other out when we can. We also allow our clients with children to bring them in if need be; we have a room in our spa with toys and ways to keep kids occupied because we know it’s important for working moms to be able to relax and unwind. We don’t want lack of childcare to prevent anyone from treating themself.
- How do you stay focused on your business while balancing motherhood?
Staying focused and on task is a conscious, daily exercise. As mothers, partners, and business owners, we are constantly being pulled in all directions. Being a mother is the most important thing in our lives, and family is our number one priority. We are blessed that our families support our vision, our growth and our crazy work hours. We make sure we set aside time to spend with family, like in the evening when we get home from work. We know the demands of business will always be there but it is critical to push them aside and be present with the people you love. We believe working on and developing our ability to multitask has been critical in meeting the various aspects of our lives. We both share the same core values and are governed by the same moral compass, which helps us keep each other on task as well.
- What are some of your favorite things about running your business together?
Our absolute favorite thing about working together is that we can laugh along the way. We find moments everyday to share our joys and wins, and we love coming to work knowing we’re about to spend the day with someone we love! Our only advice is to not let your business owner ‘hat’ overtake your best friend ‘hat’. It’s truly a beautiful thing to work with your best friend.
- What were some challenges you ran into when starting your business together?
When we first started, we went in with the idea that everyone we communicated or worked with was honest and true to themselves; We quickly learned that wasn’t the case, and I wish we knew that in business, not everyone has your best interest at heart. We are honest women and we live by our word, and we expect the same from others. We lost a lot of money in the first year due to that, but we did not let that have an affect on who we are. We are still honest and we still live by our word, but we are not as naive in thinking that everyone else practices honesty.
- Any advice you want to give fellow moms?
Keep working towards your goals even when you feel like you’re having an off day – between work, motherhood, and maintaining a healthy relationship with your significant other, not every day is going to be easy. Just remind yourself to hustle and maintain a strong work ethic, and be honest and true to yourself. Trust yourself, and surround yourself with people you can trust!
If you would like to be interviewed for my side hustle series, please fill out this form.
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