I am often asked how I got into this business of helping people look and feel better. I would like to say that my career choice was the result of a well-thought-out trajectory or a mid-night dream-induced epiphany – alas, that would not be the truth.

In reality, I wandered into it. At the time (2000), I just knew that I needed to do something that was involved in helping other lives.

Friends and family felt that whatever I did it had to be hands-on, serene and tie into my desire to be self employed. One day, a friend and I went for facials. At lunch, after our facials, we looked at each other and quickly said that’s it!! All the elements were there, beauty, serenity, helping others, self-employed. Soon i was enrolled at a local community college esthetiques program

After passing the State Board examinations I was fortunate to be offered a room to rent. AfterI purchasing equipment and products, Tamara’s was born.

In this business, constant advanced education is essential so I am always learning the latest, greatest and most advanced techniques and processes. Fast-forward to 2002, I received a brochure from The Sisters of Saint Joseph offering a hands-on relaxation technique called Reiki. What a great add to skin care treatments I thought and enrolled. After seeing the initial relaxing and centering results on me and my clients, I wound up taking all courses offered all the way to becoming a Reiki master. My clients have been benefitting ever since.

My facial services have always included some sort of massage; usually feet. Whatever the massage, my clients always commented how good the massage felt. Bolstered by compliments, i enrolled in several massage classes to develop proper technique. Again, a brochure arrived in the mail. This time the brochure was from the American Academy of Reflexology. Now an opportunity to learn a quality, healing, balancing foot, hand and ear massage. More than 400 hours of training later and National Certification I give the best foot, hand and ear Reflexology treatment in town.

Many cities include Reflexology in their definition of massage. I love doing Reflexology along with my skin care services. So, i took the required courses and am now a state licensed massage practitioner as well as a state licensed esthetician.

Looking back on how this career started, what I see in common is that I pursued what I thought would fulfill and improve me therefore my service to my client’s. Learning how to offer beneficial skin care services, while centering and relieving stress in my clients. These skills bring so much relief and pleasure to others harmonized with a core desire of mine to help people feel better. It can’t get much better than that.

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