Arien Goss is the owner and operator of Rouge llc Day Spa in Sidney, Montana. She is such a dreamer and has envisioned this spa for years before actually having the opportunity to open it.
She's dedicated to her clientele and absolutely loves her community. She shares her tips on setting boundaries so you don't get burnt out, advice on following your dreams and the story of how Rouge llc Day Spa came to be.
You can book appointments or check out her spa on Facebook or Instagram! Follow her and show her some love for sharing her amazing story.
Tell us about yourself.
I opened Rouge llc Day Spa with co worker/friend, Kelcey Fixen, in March 2017. I'm a 26 year old entrepreneur who saw a need in a small rural community. I'm a mom to a beautiful, spunky 5 year old girl, Revel Rai. Married my best friend who is my sane. Tyler keeps me grounded when my stargazed, dreaming eyes start going crazy with ideas and dreams! I love to be outdoors, whether it's at the farm, mowing, playing in the yard, camping in our tear drop, at our cabin, sledding, four wheeling, on a boat, swimming or just sitting on my deck enjoying the gorgeous view. I LOVE to make people feel good about themselves and help others anyway I can. I want to see success from everyone around me!
How did you get into your business?
I always knew I wanted to own my own business. I grew up with my parents owning their business and I watched them work very hard my entire life. I just knew I wanted to be my own boss. I thought about hair, looked at many schools, very good schools. I just never went. Then when I was pregnant I decided to go to school for nails because I knew it was a short enough schooling that I could get done during my pregnancy and have something to fall back on. Since I had NO IDEA what I was going to do with my life. Once I had Revel I gave it a go in Billings, Montana. I rented a booth right out of the gate, very hard, expensive, defeating and time consuming. I decided to give up actually. I didn't work in a very friendly, helpful place and I just knew this wasn't what I wanted to do with my life. Booth Rent during the day and work 2 other jobs at night just to pay my rent. My child deserved SO MUCH MORE! So I quit. I moved home, tail between my legs. I worked odd jobs and then one summer I got asked by a lady opening her own nail salon if I was interested in booth renting and at first I was like "um no. I had an awful experience, its terrible, people are just not what I thought they would be." But before I gave her an answer my aunt came to visit. (who did nails for a long time) She asked me basically what was I thinking. So I told her why and about my experiences. She basically just gave me a pep talk and by the time she left I was booth renting!
How I got into opening a day spa was I knew the place I was was not my end place. I knew working under someone was just not working for me. I wanted my clients to come into a nice open relaxed, laid back, airy, welcoming place. I wanted peaceful, beautiful music playing, a beverage bar, a luxurious feel right when you walked in the door. I wanted my clients to feel like they stepped into a place that they could get away and be themselves and to slow down even if it was just for a moment. Kelcey wanted that as well. We actually worked on our business plan for THREE YEARS prior to it even being a real thing. We looked into buying, we met with realtors, business people, lawyers, accountants, bankers, people in the community to get their feedback, opinions, comments, help and legal advice. One day I saw a business on main street had moved out and I found out who the landowner was and I will not lie; I called that man at least four times before he even returned my call. Basically stalking him. When he did call back, he told me no. I actually cried because I was so dang frustrated. Kelcey and I knew that we wanted and needed our vision in our area. Also, that we had a dream of great success with it. TWO DAYS went by of me moping around feeling sorry for myself. Then the landowner called me and said "Hey so the guy that was going to rent has decided to wait. So its yours if you want it!" I couldn't contain myself! Right at that moment I knew things were just going to fall in place. 1.5 years later, here we are!
What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge has honestly been setting boundaries. I don't want anyone to feel unimportant, unwanted or whatever. So generally, I would work from 7am - 9/10pm at night. Solid. No breaks for bathroom, lunch or anything. I thought I had to kill myself to make this work. Now I have gotten better. I have my set hours and that is that. If you don't do this, you will get burnt out. Which is where I was headed. If you want to be a long-timer then boundaries are everything. You most definitely need to have a life outside your business. Or you will start resenting work. I tell my renters to set their times and STICK TO THEM! I want them to be here a LONG TIME.
What do you wish you’d known when you started?
I wish I would have known how beautiful my dream really was and that someone shared that dream with me enough to take a leap of faith, feet first. I wish I would have known how wonderful the community would have supported this long ago. Negative people are everywhere. You have to do what is best for YOU and surround yourself with people who give off the aura you want others to perceive you as. You will never make everyone happy.
If you could narrow your success down to one thing, what would it be?
My clients! my clients are the reason for my success and they have my back.
Where do you see yourself in a year?
I see myself much more developed as a day spa then where I currently am. The thought of it makes me dream bigger!
What are your top three tips for women starting a business?
1) Make a business plan including your projected cash flow. THEN take your projected monthly cost and double it. When starting a new business you do not realize how much each little thing adds up!
2) Enjoy the journey
3) LOOK AT EVERY OPTION POSSIBLE!
What is a typical day for you like?
A typical day for me, after taking Revel to school or the babysitters, is clients back to back 8 hours a day (or more). Between client appointments, there are phone calls from advertisers, potential clients, or established clients. Also there are lots of people who come around looking for donations for fundraising, walk in clientele. Then at the end of my day after I get to catch up with my clients and their lives, I have my staff I have talked with throughout the day catching up with their lives and answering any questions. After that I legitimately lock up after the last client, shut the main lights & music off, start the last load of laundry for the day and I fill out my paperwork and sanitation sheets, and answer any texts, facebook messages and emails. THEN I go home.
What’s your business motto or quote you live by?
I truly live by the quote "Life goes on." No matter what happens. The good, the bad and the ugly; life will go on. So go ahead have a pitty party, cry, do whatever you need to do, but pull your big girl panties on and get to work, work hard and make your peers see you. See you making the world a better place by making your dreams come true. When your dreams come true, you radiate and everybody wants to be around a person radiating with joy, success and kindness!
If you were starting your business over again, what would you do differently?
If I had to start over again, I would have honestly started sooner. This has been one of the biggest achievements I have accomplished and I wish I would have done it sooner!
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