By Maya J. Pope-Chappell



Making moves as chief esthetician and independent business owner of Pampered Man Pampered Woman, a spa located slightly below street level at Grand Avenue and Perkins in Oakland, Angela Green has made her mark in the spa industry. With client satisfaction and results in mind, Green has been able to grow a successful business, one based in beauty, relaxation, tranquility, and rejuvenation.

First opened in 1999 as "Pampered Man," services included barber-style haircuts, massage, and nail care exclusively for men. In 2000, the name was changed to Pampered Man Pampered Woman and services were rendered for both men and women. In 2003, the business assumed new ownership under Green.

"I didn't expect to buy the business when it all came about," said Green. "At the time, I had just completed my licensing to become a manicurist so I wanted to learn the business from the ground up and be able to do a lot of functions personally so that I could, in the long run, relate to clients and relate to my employees."

Not expecting to buy the business as quickly as she did, Green decided to step out and take a chance."[I] said 'OK if everything works out and financing comes through and all that then I'll go for it.' And that's what I did."

Prior to owning Pampered Man Pampered Woman, Green obtained her Bachelors of Science degree from USC in Public Administration and her M.B.A. from the University of Illinois in 1998. Working for Universal Studios and Taco Bell Restaurants at the regional level where she gained experience in retail, services, and corporate America, Green decided to leave and pursue her passion.

Entering its 7th year of business, Pampered Man Pampered Woman currently offers affordable facials, skin, hair, and beauty products, massage, and waxes. As the business grows and the number of clients increase, Green plans to expand the business by opening another location with the next couple of months or next year.

I recently caught up with her during a busy day at the spa to learn about the business of pampering.

Why did you decide to run a business like "Pampered Man Pampered Woman?"
Its something that I know innately. Personally, I grew up in a salon. My mother's a cosmetologist and I went to school with her and studied with her. I watched her put me through college doing hair so it was something that I could really come back to. Its just part of who I am. So I really went back to what I knew and partnered that with what I learned in the corporate world as far as service standards and operations. So I decided to go back to what I knew and what felt right for me. What I was passionate about.

What is the current status of the spa as far as revenues and growth?
Business is going well. Things are steady. We've been able to increase our revenues by 15% every year so we're growing. However, [because of our growth], I feel that we have outgrown our current space so we're hoping to make a move within the next year to six months provided everything goes well.

What types of clients patronize the spa?
The majority of our clients are African American [and] incomes range from $35,000 on up. I think its our responsibility as African American business owners to dispel the myth that because its owned by a Black person that we only be patronized by Black people. I think that clients that have found us through the internet and/or by referral that are not African American, are very pleased with the services. So we certainly want to make sure people are aware of that because its good especially in terms of services we offer. We provide a certain level of comfort for those who are African American and are looking for a spa experience but by no means do we want to limit ourselves to that.

According to SCORE, a non-profit organization that provides advice and training for small businesses, Black-owned businesses are among the fastest growing segment of new businesses, growing 45 percent between 1997 and 2002. What is the importance of supporting Black owned businesses?
I think its very important for African Americans to patronize our business for a variety of reasons. I think they should because they want to. There are times when I get the comment ‘oh we want to support our own' and I realize the fact that its coming from a very positive place, however, there's an exchange. You're paying and we're providing a service. I think its really important to raise the standard of African American business and make sure that we provide the level of service that any other business would have. We have to be the ones that raise our standards. We cant just rest on what we already have.

According to the National Foundation for Women Business Owners, African American Women own more than one-third of the nearly 1 million U.S. firms headed by women of color. How important is it for African American women to start their own business?
I think its very important. This is why history is so important because its something that we need to look back at and figure out how to reclaim that piece of our history when Black businesses [could not flourish]. It's important for us to create our own opportunities and it's a responsibility that I don't take lightly or for granted.

In your opinion, why don't more African Americans, especially African American women own business?
I believe it has to do with fear, lack of knowledge of resources and information, and the lack of identifying [one's] passion. Fear is enough to keep you from anything [whether] its fear of failure or fear of success. If you stand in an intersection, your gonna get run over. You gotta move, you gotta do things, You have to keep on. We have to move through that fear and experience it to keep us motivated. I think [another reason is] a lack of information and resources. [For example,] people question how I got financing and how I started my business. Its not a mystery. Its not rocket science. You come in and you run your business. More of us have to identify our passion and what really motivates us.

What was the transition like from working for someone to owning your own business?
At times difficult, mentally. Its taken me a good two years to really transition and fully come into ‘I really own this spa.' There's going to be those difficult times and times when your doubtful. There's trade offs. Sometimes your time is more valuable then money. You just make adjustments. You focus on what's most important and the extras are extras. Who needs 10 white shirts hanging in the closet? ‘Do you really need 10?' (laughs) So you focus on what's really important. Don't let the fear hold you back. If anything use it to motivate you and keep things moving forward.

What are some of the challenges of running this business?
I've really had to surround myself with people where I know I'm deficient. You take the difficult things and you either learn from them or you figure it out. When it comes to running your business, its you. You have to make sure things happen." Angela says that staffing has been easy for her although within the industry, staffing is difficult. In order to deal with problems: "You make a list, check it twice, and get it done.

What are some of the successes or rewards of running this business?
I'm really proud of our website. Its brought us a lot of business for a minimal investment. Although the salon is not profitable, the growth of the business makes me feel successful. Carrying on a business for almost 7 years, being an African American-owned business, I think that's something to be proud of.

What are some sacrifices that you've made in order to have a successful business?
Monetary. The sacrifice has definitely been financial. But when your passionate about what you do and you really enjoy it, its what you do all the time. I read stuff before I go to bed. I might be up at 7am to get myself together and buy supplies, or I might be up at 3 in the morning researching something. I think for so long, I compartmentalized a lot of things [in my life]. It was never congruent, it didn't flow together. Now everything is part of the same picture [whereas] before, everything was real separate in my life. You can't separate yourself.

What do you like most about your job?
I really enjoy working with clients to achieve results. I really enjoy working with my hands and my head. I like owning a business [and] the challenges that come with it. The problem solving. I really get into that and make sure we fix it right.

What do clients say about the spa?
Most people feel very, very comfortable. Some say they felt they've never left home, and that the space is warm and inviting. People just feel a certain level of comfort. And its not a real pretentious experience as some spas can be. Spas in some cases are about the luxury and the amenities and all the fluff. But we don't promote ourselves that way because that's not what we do. Were in a neighborhood location and we want the services to be accessible to people. We want them to remain affordable for people so that they can [come] on a regular basis."

What advice would you give someone looking to start their own business?
Make sure its something that you are passionate about, that you enjoy doing, that you would do without getting paid. Money is not the number one motivator. Two, know your craft but also know your business because it's the two of them together that will allow you to stay in business. Learn business. Take a business class. Plan your work and work your plan. You have to have a plan. You can't just wing it. I also suggest keeping a journal to jot down goals. It's really powerful to write down your goals and come back a year or more later and realize that its done and that it was a thought at one point and now its very real. As African Americans particularly, we focus on things that are not as significant. ‘Do we know what we want? Do we even know what is important to us?' Take a few minutes and take an inventory of what's really important so you can plan your life around that. Give some thought to what's important and focus on that."

What are some of the future goals of the business? Where do you see the business in 5 years?
I certainly want to expand the business. As the Oakland Airport expands, I may want a second location in that kind of capacity. Kind of an on-the-go, in and out, quick because time is valuable to people. To grow the business [but] have one flagship location. One, no more than two satellite locations. Continue to build the website and enjoy my son. I would like to keep the business and keep it as Pampered Man Pampered Woman and continue to watch it evolve.

Take a Spa Day at Pampered Man Pampered Woman
To learn more about this exciting Black-owned spa in Oakland, please visit their website: http://www.pamperedman-woman.com/index.html