Cracked Roots & Roses 41: Fired?

The lease for my suite was signed, and the supplies were flowing in. I was all set, except for the fact that I had to give the spa my two weeks’ notice. That was the worst part of everything. I hated to let anyone down, and I felt like I would be letting Anne Marie down. She had hired me and really showed me favor during my time at the spa. I received free services all the time because I was a “model” for the new hires and for new menu items. When we stopped using certain products or lamps in the nail room, she gave them all to me. I was able to take off when I wanted and thought I no longer had a problem with Denise. I felt indebted to Anne Marie and the spa.

However, I could not let this sense of loyalty keep me from God’s best. This was my path—that was the only clear thing about it. When you get more excited about what’s ahead than what’s behind, you have to move. I was more present at my new salon suite than at the spa. I felt restless every time I went into work. I still planned to work at the spa for another two months to build up savings and a safety net. God would be okay with this, right? Wrong. He wanted me to see Him as my safety net. It was time to walk on the water.

My suite was full of supplies, the accent wall had been painted, and the room was nearly ready for business. There was no real reason for me to wait another couple of months to get started. In my mind, giving my notice would be final. I would have no more steady paycheck or benefits. I was unhooking from Babylon and going full steam ahead into the Kingdom, whether I was ready or not.

About a week after signing the lease for my salon suite, I got off the elevator for work and felt heavily that I was to give notice that very day. I pushed that thought right on down. I was not ready, nor was I expecting to do this. Anne Marie was out of town, and the timing was all wrong. Also, all of the package money had been spent on suite rent and supplies. I needed to work a little while longer to replenish. None of that mattered because I couldn’t shake the feeling the entire day.

I got off work at 4, walked to the elevator, and felt the urge to go back to my locker and get my things. So, I went back to grab a few personal effects from my locker. Right then, I saw Betsy, the assistant spa director, go into the office, and without thinking, I went in behind her.

I said, “Hi, Betsy!”

She said, “Hi, Kim, what’s up?”

I said, “Well, I want to give you my two weeks’ notice.”

All the color drained from her face. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. She stammered over her words as she asked, “Uhm, is everything okay? Denise isn’t starting up again, is she?”

I said, “Everything is fine. I had a dream, and I have to go.”

Her brow furrowed, and she asked, “Are you going out on your own?”

I nodded, “Yes.”

This was it. No turning back. She was lost for words and just stared at me. I felt HORRIBLE.

I said, “So, I wanted to give you guys my notice.”

She said, “Okay, thank you,” and forced a thin smile.

I let the door soft close and stood for a minute. I heard her pick up the phone and dial Anne Marie. I walked out knowing but not knowing this was my last time in the spa.

I went home and put the finishing touches on the website, making sure all the links worked. Just then, I got a text from Angela, a regular client of mine at the spa.

It said, “Kim, is everything okay?!”

I replied, “Yes, what’s up?”

She said, “I just got a call from the spa telling me you no longer work there. They asked if I minded being placed with another therapist. I told them no—cancel me.”

I froze. I told Angela I would get back to her and hung up to digest what I just heard. This could not be true. Why wouldn’t they call me or wait for me to come into work? Was I actually fired?

The only way to know was to call the spa, so I did. Elvia answered the phone. I asked to speak to Betsy. She put me on hold and never came back. I called back and got the same treatment.

It must be true. They wouldn’t treat me that way if I was still the golden goose. I knew Anne Marie gave the go-ahead after hearing from Betsy. I understood it. I was just hoping for more of a conversation. I wanted them to understand why and know that I hadn’t been plotting. I had a dream almost two months ago and I simply had to go.

That wouldn’t happen now, unfortunately. The rumors would swirl, and I wouldn’t be able to defend my character. Right then, I realized they still had my nail license! I needed that on display at the new salon, or I couldn’t touch anyone. 

Since they wouldn’t talk to me, I sent an email to the main account. I got a return email later from Anne Marie saying she would FedEx the license but that I should not come up to the spa. I felt like a criminal. It hurt. I had been with them full-time for five years and was now an outsider. I got a call later that day from a coworker named Meghan who said Anne Marie knew I was leaving because Denise had told her. She said Denise saw me give a client an envelope and asked her at the front desk what it was. The woman opened it and showed her. That woman did not buy a package and didn’t come back—I guess she was my Judas. Denise knew and urged Anne Marie to fire me, but even then, Anne Marie wouldn’t do it. I’m grateful for that, at least.

Conversely, it was Denise who got fired a few months later for pushing an employee onto the table in the break room. After she was fired, she reached out to me on Facebook for help with starting a business. I typed out what to do word for word and sent her links for supplies. I held no bitterness toward her. There will always be people like her in the world. I still wish her the best, wherever she is now.

She later opened a full-service nail salon in Lake Geneva with the life insurance from her husband’s unexpected death. That salon closed a few years later.

God’s grace was that the spa didn’t have a noncompete or any contract, so I could’ve opened across the street and would’ve been perfectly legal.

The next day, I sat in shock but knew I couldn’t just sit. I had to get moving on making things ready. I sent emails to everyone with a letter, including those I knew from Facebook. I told them I was open for business and gave them the link to book.

That first week, I was lost. I had no job to go into and no clients booked at my new place yet. My rent at home was coming due. What was I to do next? 

I did the only thing I knew to do: I went to my suite like I was fully booked. I went to my salon with the same dedication I had given the spa, even with no clients on the books.

That same week, appointments started rolling in. Within 7 days, I had the rent for my apartment and the salon. And nothing has changed from that day to this.