Cracked Roots & Roses 40: First Step

I took the letters with me to work that following day. After I finished the service, I would discreetly take the letter from my apron pocket, give it to them, and tell them to read it when they got home. After all the letters were distributed to the 20 names, there was nothing left to do but wait. I was on pins and needles during that time. What if someone told someone at the desk or called the spa to ask questions about a package? I reasoned that if God told me to do this, things would be fine. If not, I would be fine either way.

Nearly a month had passed, and nobody mentioned anything to me. Then one day, I got home, and there was one return envelope in my mailbox with a check for $200 for 10 manicures. That strengthened and renewed my faith. That was the beginning because, after that, my envelope had a few every day. Within 30 days, I had more than $10,000 to start the business. The $2,500 package was purchased by my atheist client. That was a shocker because she didn’t seem to like me all that much. Now I see why I had to create a package of that size.

That was the most money I had ever seen at one time. I left all the envelopes on my cocktail table and stared at them in disbelief. This outpouring of support made me feel unworthy. I felt terrible about how I had lived and my lack of faith. Through all of that, God still had a plan—and I was only just now beginning to walk in it.

That following week, I got an inbox message on Facebook from an old coworker named Andrea. She was in the skincare department at the spa but had recently gone out on her own to start a waxing and skincare business in Elmhurst. In her message, she asked when I would be available to meet her for lunch. That was odd; I didn’t know this girl like that—we were acquaintances at best—but I felt strongly that I should go.

A few days later, I met her for lunch at a deli across from her new business. We exchanged pleasantries while waiting for a table. She brought her toddler with her, so that made things a little easier. Over lunch, she told me all about the build-out for her business. I was still puzzled as to why she messaged me, but I figured she’d get to that.

After we finished lunch, she reached into the back pocket of the stroller, pulled out a vanilla folder, and slid it across the table to me. She said, “It’s a list of things you need to do to start a business. I’ve included websites for the state and supplies you will need to get started.”

I stared at her, trying to understand how she knew. I closed the folder and asked, “Why are you giving this to me?”

She shrugged and said, “I felt like I should. Keep it anyway, just in case you need it one day.”

I thanked her for lunch and told her I would look at the folder later.

When I got home, I went through the folder and got to work, one step at a time. God sent more help, and I was grateful because I had no idea about any of the stuff in that folder. While getting things going, I never thought about what if this didn’t work. I was impervious to fear and doubt in this season. It was as if I couldn’t fail. God gave me a special kind of grace and strength.

In those days, I would work at the spa all day and then come home and work on the salon until midnight. I once carried the vision; now the vision was carrying me.

Next, I needed a small salon suite to get started, but it needed to be in Naperville. I went to see the only one I knew of, but they didn’t have any openings. So, in prayer, I thanked God for bringing me everything I needed, including a salon suite. Later that week, Michelle told me about a salon suite in Naperville on Ogden, but she couldn’t remember the name of it.

Then one day, I was perusing Craigslist for a manicure table, and that particular salon suite came up during my search. I knew it was the one without seeing it. I emailed the owner, Wesley, and set a time to do a tour.

As soon as I walked in, I knew that was the place. With hands shaking, I completed the application. I knew if I was approved, this would make everything real. I would be on the hook for rent every week, even if I had no clients. I would be walking by faith, 100%.

Wesley called me just a few days later to tell me I got the suite. I moved into my very first salon suite on February 25, 2011.