My Business Journey, Chapter 9: A New World After COVID

In Chapter 8: The COVID Years, I shared how lockdown led to our online shop and the first At Home Facial Kits. As we emerged from that period, I began noticing changes in the way my clients approached treatments, skincare and time for themselves.

Welcome to Chapter 9 of My Business Journey: A New World After COVID. This is my reflection on how those changes shaped Karen Alexandra Beauty and Well-Being in Tonbridge, from facial appointments to introducing INIKA Organic Makeup. In Chapter 10: A Family Affair, I share how Paul and our children have supported the business behind the scenes.

A different approach to making time for yourself

For years, many clients had told me how difficult it was to find time for themselves. Skincare and relaxing treatments were often something they fitted in occasionally, rather than making them a regular part of life.

After the lockdowns, I noticed a change in those conversations. More clients wanted to prioritise time for themselves and think carefully about the skincare they used.

These were my observations from working with clients, rather than everyone’s experience. But they were a meaningful change in my own business.

More conversations about natural and organic skincare

I found myself having more conversations about ingredients, product choices and routines. Interest in the natural and organic ranges I worked with grew, and that fitted closely with the direction I had already chosen.

My focus remained personal advice: helping someone choose products for their needs, rather than suggesting the same routine for everyone.

You can explore the Éminence Organic Skincare collection to see the range that has been such an important part of my work.

Finding a complementary makeup range

As my interest in organic skincare developed, I also wanted to offer makeup that felt like a good fit alongside it. That search led me to INIKA Organic Makeup.

It became another way to talk with customers about their preferences and help them explore products, this time through makeup as well as skincare.

Browse the INIKA Organic Makeup collection for the current products and their individual details.

How working from home changed appointment patterns

Another unexpected change was the increase in people working from home. Some clients who had previously needed weekend or evening appointments found that a weekday visit suited them.

That shift gave both of us more flexibility. It was one of the practical ways in which life after lockdown changed the rhythm of my working week.

A clearer focus on organic facials

As demand for facials grew, I felt more certain about the direction of the business. The treatments I loved giving and the skincare advice I enjoyed sharing were becoming an even stronger focus.

It was not simply a return to the old routine. There were new habits, different expectations and opportunities to think about how I could serve clients in a way that suited us both.

Planning ahead for a facial appointment

There is a six-month waiting list for my Éminence Organic Facials, so planning ahead is recommended. If you would like to enquire about a treatment, please get in touch to discuss your preferences and availability.

Occasional cancellations do arise. I share those opportunities with newsletter subscribers, so it is worth keeping an eye on my emails if you already receive them.

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 (you’re here)
10. Chapter 10: A Family Affair
11. Chapter 11: A Huge Change
12. Chapter 12: On into the Future!

Previously: Chapter 8: The COVID Years.

Continue to Chapter 10: A Family Affair, where I share more about the family behind the business.

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 taking the time to read and for being part of the journey.

Karen xxx

Karen Alexandra Beauty and Well-Being

2a Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent