My Business Journey, Chapter 11: A Huge Change

In Chapter 10: A Family Affair, I shared the unwavering support my family has given me as I built my business. It was precisely that support that gave me the confidence to take the next step.

This chapter is about a huge change: turning a long-held dream into a shop of my own, right here in my hometown of Tonbridge. In Chapter 12: On into the Future!, the final chapter of this series, I look back on twenty years, thank the people who made it possible and share my hopes for what comes next.

Feeling ready for something new

Back in 2023, I realised I needed a change.

I absolutely loved working full-time in my treatment room, helping clients feel relaxed, refreshed and confident. But after 18 years of focusing on treatments, I felt ready for something new.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wanted to share my passion for natural and organic skincare and makeup with even more people.

The shop I had always imagined

Opening a shop had always been a secret dream of mine, but the right space never seemed to appear.

I imagined creating a warm, welcoming place filled with beautiful products. Somewhere people could pop in, explore and chat about skincare and makeup in a relaxed setting.

I could never consider opening my first shop anywhere other than Tonbridge, a place that had provided so much for three generations of my family.

Finding 2a Avebury Avenue

Then, one day, we came across 2a Avebury Avenue. It was the ideal size and setting for everything to begin.

It was meant to be!

The brands I used in my treatment room had already become firm favourites with my clients, so I felt confident that people in Tonbridge and the surrounding areas would enjoy discovering them too.

I wanted to bring something different to the town: a space dedicated to the natural and organic skincare and makeup I loved, with personal advice to help people find what suited them.

It felt wonderful to finally create that space and become part of the Tonbridge High Street community.

A shop, a treatment studio and an online home

That step brought together the different parts of my business: a beautiful retail shop, a cosy treatment studio specialising in organic facials, and an online shop.

Each offers a different way to share the treatments and products I believe in, whether you visit me in Tonbridge or browse from home.

Splitting my time between them has been the perfect transition. I can truly say I’m loving this new chapter.

Read all 12 chapters of My Business Journey

1. Chapter 1: A Baby, a Beauty Couch and a New Beginning
2. Chapter 2: Sleeping Babies and Homemade Price Lists
3. Chapter 3: A Permanent Home
4. Chapter 4: Discovering the Skincare Range That Shaped My Business
5. Chapter 5: Finding Clients and Keeping Them
6. Chapter 6: The Ultimate Juggling Act
7. Chapter 7: The Pivot, Finding My Niche
8. Chapter 8: The COVID Years
9. Chapter 9: A New World After COVID
10. Chapter 10: A Family Affair
11. Chapter 11: A Huge Change (you’re here)
12. Chapter 12: On into the Future!

Previously: Chapter 10: A Family Affair.

Continue to the final chapter, Chapter 12: On into the Future!.

Explore Karen Alexandra Beauty today

Visit Karen Alexandra Beauty for skincare, makeup and wellbeing favourites, with personal advice from me in Tonbridge.

Thank you for supporting my business and for being part of the journey.

Karen xxx

Karen Alexandra Beauty and Well-Being

2a Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent