Spa Butterfly

💛 WORLD SU***DE PREVENTION DAY 💛

I wasn’t sure whether to post this today, because this subject is incredibly personal to me. But if being honest helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it.

I know what it feels like to be in a place mentally where you genuinely cannot see a way forward.

I know what it’s like to struggle with my mental health, to need professional help, to be under the mental health team, to have therapy and to have periods of my life where simply getting through the day has taken more strength than anybody around me probably realised.

And I also know what it feels like to reach the point where you don’t want to be here anymore.

That is something I never thought I would speak about so openly, but today feels like the right day.

People can look absolutely fine on the outside. They can go to work, run a business, laugh, look after their children, answer messages, support everybody else and carry on with normal life…

…and still be fighting the biggest battle of their life inside their own head.

I’ve been that person…. I’m still that person.

There have been times when my children have been the reason I have kept putting one foot in front of the other. ❤️

Mental illness doesn’t mean somebody is weak. Sometimes the people who appear the strongest have simply become incredibly good at hiding how much they are struggling.

I’m still working on myself. I still have difficult days. I don’t have everything figured out and I won’t pretend that I do.

But I’m here. ❤️

And today, on World Su***de Prevention Day, I just want to say this:

Please check on your people.

Check on the strong friend.
Check on the one who is always laughing.
Check on the one who never asks for help.
Check on the person who suddenly goes quiet.

And if you are the person struggling, please tell somebody. You don’t need to find the perfect words. Even saying “I’m not OK and I need you” is enough.

There should never be shame attached to asking for help with your mental health.

I’m sharing this because I’ve lived some incredibly dark days, and I know just how important it is that we stop being frightened or embarrassed to talk about su***de.

Be kind. You genuinely have no idea what somebody might be carrying behind closed doors. 💛

And to anyone fighting a battle quietly tonight…

Please stay. ❤️

Tomorrow deserves the chance to be different.

***dePreventionDay



***dePrevention 💛

“People often ask me… why do you still stay there?” ❤️

Especially now that I no longer have a huge business with lots of employees and I mainly work on my own.

“Why don’t you move somewhere smaller?”
“Why don’t you go somewhere closer to home?”
“Why do you need all that space?”

Well… these pictures are the reason. 🥹

The photos below are from around 12 years ago, when I first got the keys.

It was basically an empty shell. There were no treatment rooms, no lovely relaxation area, no sinks, no reception as you know it today… nothing.

I built it.

From the front doors, to the walls, the treatment rooms, plumbing, sinks, flooring, decorating, furniture, equipment… and then redecorating it all again about 97 times because I fancied a change 😂

When I sat down with my accountant last year, we worked out that over the years I’d invested over £110,000 into that space alone. 😳

Although I’m fairly certain half of that has probably been spent repairing the bloody water leaks at the back over the years 😂😂 New flooring, repairs, replacing things that have been damaged… if you’ve been with me long enough, YOU KNOW! 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

But joking aside, there’s another reason I stay.

I love it here. It’s my space. ❤️

I know salons these days are supposed to be very “Instagrammable”… beige, neutral, minimalist and whatever happens to be on trend at the time.

But that just isn’t me.

And I don’t think every salon should look the same.

If you ever walked into my house, you’d probably smile because you’d instantly know it was mine. 😂 I live on my own now, so I’ve filled it with things that make me happy. It has my personality all over it.

And the salon is exactly the same.

It’s warm. It’s cosy. It’s a little bit quirky. It’s me.

One thing I’ve always been particularly proud of is our relaxation room.

Other salon owners have said to me over the years:

“Why have you got that room? You could put another treatment room there and make more money.”

But I’ve never looked at my business like that.

I’m genuinely not driven by squeezing as much money as possible out of every square foot.

That room is there for you.

It’s somewhere to sit before your treatment, somewhere to take five minutes afterwards, have a drink, relax and not feel like you’re being rushed straight back out of the door.

And judging by how many of you tell me you love that room, I think I made the right decision. ❤️

Have I sometimes shot myself in the foot by staying here?

Probably.

Especially when you suddenly have another salon open next door offering some of the same treatments as us. Am I happy about that? Absolutely not. 😂 And those of you who know the full story will understand why.

But it’s also reminded me of something really important…

People don’t just choose a salon because of a treatment list.

They choose people.

They come back because of how somebody makes them feel.

I have clients who come every week. Others every month. Some of you have been with me for YEARS.

And then there’s my lovely Claire, who has been part of my Beauty Club since the very beginning. 🥹❤️

That loyalty means more to me than you’ll ever know.

Over the years the business has changed massively. I’ve had employees, huge teams, incredibly busy periods and some unbelievably difficult ones.

But this little place has been the constant through all of it.

There are 12 years of memories inside these walls.

So when somebody asks me why I don’t just move somewhere else…

That’s why. ❤️

It’s not just four walls and a business premises.

I built it from an empty space.

I’ve invested more than £110,000 into it.

I’ve laughed here, cried here, celebrated here and probably sworn at a few leaks here. 😂

Thousands of treatments have taken place here and thousands of conversations have happened behind those doors.

And most importantly, you’ve supported me here.

You could go anywhere for your treatments.

But you choose us.

You choose the people, the atmosphere, the laughs, the chats, the care and that little bit of craziness that makes this place what it is.

And for that, I will forever be grateful. ❤️

So here’s a little throwback to where it all started…

An empty space, a massive vision and absolutely no idea what the next 12 years were going to bring. 🥹❤️

Much love,

Emm xx

⭐️✨ THIS MONDAY ⭐️✨

2pm (90 mins)
4.30pm (45 mins)

Please book via Treatwell as I’m spending the day with Will 🩵

Click the link below….

Hey - tap on this link to check out Solo Beauty Therapy/Activate Massage & LG Aesthetics
on the Treatwell app! https://treatwellapp.page.link/6Co7n

Our Neighbours have chair rental for professionals!!

Trust me everyday is different and very funny!!

Contact Zico direct…

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗡.
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟/𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝘆𝗺, 𝗪𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻 - 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀.
𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮 𝗵𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘆𝗺 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀

𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗭𝗜𝗖𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝟬𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟮 𝟲𝟮𝟬𝟴𝟵𝟬

Run 🏃‍♀️ don’t walk for this….. 🙋🏼‍♀️

🎒 THE KIDS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL! 🎉😂

Be honest… who’s just a little bit excited? 🙋‍♀️🤣

After weeks of keeping everyone else entertained, fed, occupied and organised… it’s time to remember YOU! 🧡

Missed your quiet time?
Missed having an hour where nobody needs anything from you?
Missed your massage? 💆‍♀️✨

Well… your “me time” is officially back! 🙌

Whether you need to:
✨ Switch off & completely relax
✨ Sort out those tight shoulders & aching back
✨ Have a proper Sports Massage
✨ Or simply enjoy an hour where you don’t have to do ANYTHING!

Get yourself booked in — you’ve earned it! 🧡

September appointments are now open and starting to fill, so don’t leave it until you’re desperate for one.

📲 Book your appointment online here:
https://www.fresha.com/book-now/activate-massage-q7k6jpgr/all-offer?share=true&pId=2587375

Kids back to school.
Now it’s YOUR turn. 💆‍♀️🧡✨

📍 Activate Massage WN5 0UN

🎃

🎃 We’re in full swing planning our Pumpkin Picking event with lots of activities already booked in! 👻

We now have spaces available for stall holders to bring their stall into our event. Whether you’re a knitter, candle maker, crocheter, jewellery maker, personalised cup designer or other; we’d love to hear from you!

Dates available are: 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st.

You will need your own gazebo, tables and tablecloth etc!

Please drop us a DM if you’d be interested or tag someone who you think would love to join us! (We don’t require any food, drinks or cake stalls).

Thanks all! 👻

Last few days if anyone can donate any prizes. I can pick up etc….

💚 Vouchers
💚 Mens gifts
💚 Experience Vouchers
💚 Alchol

We really appreciate you all 💚

✨ WE’RE LOOKING FOR AMAZING HAIR & BEAUTY TUTORS! ✨

We’re currently looking for qualified, experienced and passionate tutors to teach the following qualifications:

💅 Level 3 Nails
💄 Level 2 & 3 Make-Up Artistry
✂️ Hairdressing

We’re looking for people who are not only highly skilled within their industry, but who are also outstanding at teaching, supporting and inspiring learners to become the very best they can be.

If this sounds like you — or you know someone who would be absolutely perfect — please get in touch or tag them below! ❤️

For more information, please send me a DM or email your up-to-date CV to:

📧 [email protected]

Please feel free to share and help us find some incredible tutors! 🙏

Much love,
Emm xx 💕

Ahhh I’m just going through my phone trying to find some career bits and I’ve just come across this…. 🥰💅

How one therapist created hand care products for key workers - Scratch Beauty therapist, Beverley Braisdell, shares the story of fellow beauty pro, Emma Harvey - who has created a hand cream and serum for NHS frontline staff & key workers... When I saw what my amazing friend and former colleague Emma Harvey, of Spa Butterfly, Wigan, had created during her time…