🌿 From Chaos to Calm: How Ginger Root Was Born
Hey there, beautiful humans — Shelby here! 👋
I’m an esthetician, mom, business owner, book lover, beauty geek, and all-around multitasking queen (because who isn’t wearing at least five hats these days?). I wanted to peel back the spa mask for a sec and let you into my world — the messy, magical, totally unexpected path that brought me to where I am today.
The Spark ✨
Let’s rewind to 2012. Picture me, wide-eyed and ready to conquer the beauty world at Gary Manuel Aveda. That’s where I fell head-over-heels for holistic skincare — the kind that doesn’t just make your skin glow but heals your mind and spirit, too. I knew then that owning my own business in the beauty industry was my ultimate dream. Little did I know it would take a full 12 years (and a few wild detours) to make that dream real.
Wearing All the Hats (And Hating a Few) 🎭
In this industry, I’ve done it all — from spa management to hands-on services to leading teams. But when I first started, specializing in just facials wasn’t exactly “a thing.” You had to do everything: facials, waxing, tinting, body treatments… and let me tell you, waxing gave me such bad anxiety I used to break into a sweat just reading it on the schedule. 😅
Facials, though? That was my happy place. The treatment room became my escape — a cozy sanctuary where I could pour love, energy, and intention into helping people feel good in their skin. Still, it wasn’t easy to be taken seriously as an esthetician who only wanted to focus on skincare.
Finding My Flow 💆♀️
Eventually, I discovered a new love — leading and educating. I wanted to build a beauty community free of judgment, full of curiosity, connection, and support. That passion led me to Onyx Salon & Spa in Puyallup, a chapter of my life that changed everything.
I had just moved out of West Seattle with my two kids, left a toxic relationship, and was rediscovering me. Onyx became my healing ground — a place that reminded me who I was and who I wanted to become.
Love, Life & a Little Chaos ❤️
Somewhere along this journey, I met Sammy — my partner, best friend, biggest cheerleader, and the most supportive human I could ask for. (Fun fact: we went to the same high school! He was two years ahead and had no idea I existed back then — his loss, right?)
We’ve had our ups and downs, but our relationship is built on friendship, respect, and the kind of love that feels like coming home.
Speaking of home — I eventually found my way back to West Seattle. Even though I was still working in Puyallup, I missed the city vibe mixed with small-town heart that only West Seattle has.
The Plot Twist (aka COVID) 😷
Then… BAM! Pandemic. Everything shut down.
And while it was hard — like really hard — it also cracked open space for something new.
The industry shifted. My job disappeared. I bounced between small salons and big corporate gigs (looking at you, European Wax Center), but nothing filled my cup. Then Sammy and I welcomed Savimbi Jr., and suddenly the idea of working for someone else felt impossible.
I was burnt out, anxious, and uninspired. Sammy looked at me one day and said, “Babe, just be still.” So I did. I stayed home, soaked up baby snuggles, and — okay, also went a little stir crazy. 🤪
That’s when the idea for Ginger Root started to sprout.
Ginger Root Grows 🌱
I actually tried to launch Ginger Root once before, in 2022, out of my home. But when I found out I was pregnant (and it was high-risk), I hit pause. Fast forward to 2024 — were we ready to open a studio? Nope. Not even close. No savings, no master plan, just a dream, a ridiculously supportive partner, and a whole community rooting for me (pun totally intended 😉).
And guess what? We did it anyway.
What Ginger Root Stands For 💚
Ginger Root isn’t just a skincare studio — it’s an oasis.
A safe, soothing space where you can feel heard, seen, and celebrated. Where your skincare concerns are addressed, your routines make sense, and you can melt into the warmth of a facial that’s designed just for you.
It’s where you can exhale, release, and reconnect — not just with your skin, but with yourself.
The Bigger Picture 🌸
More than anything, Ginger Root is my love letter to my kids.
A reminder that no matter how hard life gets, you can always find your way back to your dreams.
Maybe one day, they’ll take it over — who knows? But for now, I’ll keep pouring my heart into every treatment, every client, every moment. Because this isn’t just a business. It’s a story — one that keeps unfolding, root by root. 🌿
🧡Shelby