Say Hello To Christy Martin

Say hello to Christy Martin. We are so excited to have Christy and Sunshine Salon and Spa as part of the SSN team! She is full of energy and has a true love for helping you women feel beautiful! Christy is the owner of Sunshine Salon and Spa in Poway, CA! Make sure to check out her interview below and then make an appointment to see her!
 

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Well, I am almost a San Diego native minus about 9 years. I graduated from Mt. Carmel High School and married my high school sweetheart, who just happened to go to my rival school (PHS). We have two amazing sons. One, who graduated last year from Poway High School and the other is currently a Sophomore. To say the least, the scales are tipped in my family to “green and grey” and I can say without a doubt that we represent our “Titan Pride” well. I keep very busy with my business as a salon owner and skin care therapist. I love spending any extra time with my family, which is pretty large. If I’m not out on the baseball field watching my husband and sons umpire, I am usually working or trying to play catch up at home. When we do get a chance to get away, we love to spend our summers in Lake Tahoe, fishing (not really me, I will be reading a book), biking and hiking and just sitting by the lake.

 

What is your professional bio:
I have always loved working with people. I received my license as an Esthetician in 1999. Upon graduation, I was given the opportunity to work as an educator alongside an incredibly inspirational woman, my mother, who, at the time, was the lead instructor and who developed the curriculum for the Esthetics program at Poway Academy of Hair Design, currently known as Bellus Academy. In addition to instructing, I was also fortunate enough to be able to provide my services to clients, which I found that I love more than anything. In 2000, I made the leap to become my own business owner and a full-time Skin Care Therapist at Sunshine Hair Design where I leased a small treatment room in the back. In 2003, I was approached by the salon owner who expressed interest in expanding. We eventually became partners along with my mother and opened Sunshine Day Spa, a 4 room day spa to accommodate additional therapists and expand our service menu. Currently, I provide a broad range of services that include customized facials targeted to treat a variety of skin care concerns such as, anti-aging, pigmentation or uneven skin tone, adult and teen acne, facial peels and microdermabrasion. In addition, I also provide a selection of full body waxing services.

 

In April 2017, I acquired the salon business from my partner and just recently became the proud owner of Sunshine Salon and Spa, a full-service salon. And so the next chapter begins.

 

Why did you start your own business?
I can honestly say that I have always been an entrepreneur. I started very young with my own pet sitting business. As I got older, I knew that I would rather work 80 hours a week for myself than 40 hours for someone else (I heard someone say that one time and it seemed so applicable). I love all aspects of running a business. As you all know, it has its challenges but is also very rewarding and liberating.

 

What are you most proud of in your business?
I am so very proud of the collection of incredible and talented business women who have allowed Sunshine to be a home for them. I am amazed every day how hard they work, not just at their talents at hair, skin, massage or nails, but their drive to stay educated and their pursuit of excellence in this industry.

 

What’s your super power?
I have been told that I am incredibly good at solving problems and fixing things and I literally mean “fixing” things. My family says that I may be the female equivalent to McGyver, if you are old enough to know who that is. I can give the most relaxing facial during the day and come home and fix the washer.

 

What is one thing you can’t live without?
I could say a lot of things, coffee, my computer, and phone but when it comes down to it I would have to say, my family. They mean the world to me.

 

What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not running your business?

You mean there is time to do something other than that? No, I really do make time for myself. I would probably say just sitting down and watching a few of my favorite television series.

 

What is one thing you wish you knew when you first started?
How to plan better.

 

Any advice for new entrepreneurs or someone who is thinking of starting their own business?
Where do I start? Develop a solid business plan and stick to it. There are always adjustments but the more you know and can plan for, the better. Try not to be a “jack of all trades”. Anyone who is serious about starting their own business thinks “big” but you can’t do it all. Recruit your team of experts. An attorney, accountant or maybe someone in marketing. Know your limits.