This month’s blog goes beyond skin and body care and instead focuses on a recap of 2020, from the perspective of a business owner.

There are many words that can be chosen from when attempting to encapsulate the whirlwind 2020 was for business owners worldwide: survival; perseverance; loss; strength; stress; hardship; blessings; family; and, of course, my personal favorite… maskne. 

As for me, I can relate to them all. The word that rises above all of them, however? Reflection.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Running Moonstone Skin and Body Care in 2020

My reflection, rightfully so, begins with an emphasis on the value of my relationships. Without both my personal relationships and the relationships I have with the skin care community at large (especially in my Facebook group, Moonstone Skin Care Fans!) I would not have been able to keep myself afloat emotionally or mentally.

Specifically, I wanted to give enormous thanks to:

• My husband of nearly 25 years, Barry, who stood by my side with unfaltering words of encouragement

• My neighbors, some of whom I had the opportunity to meet during the pandemic via organized Zoom meet-ups and socially-distanced walks around the community. I have lived here in Novato for almost 10 years and can now say with confidence that I have befriended all of my neighbors; their kindnesses, from bringing baked cookies over to the house to supporting Moonstone Skin and Body Care’s virtual spa parties when they first launched, have been invaluable

• And, last but certainly not least, Moonstone’s supporters. Whether it be booking virtual skin consults, shopping products online, or booking virtual spa parties, Moonstone’s supporters have made it so my business has held steady even when the state of California shut my physical location down. 

Redefining Happiness and Community

It would be a combination of cancer and COVID-19 that would refine my family and, in turn, my overall sense of community. At the start of COVID-19, my attention was focused solely on my sister-in-law, who had been diagnosed with cancer (she is now in remission!); rather than being tuned in to the news, I was crying, praying, laughing, and making personal sacrifices alongside my other family members.

During that time, I witnessed my family coming together and supporting one another in ways I never imagined. It was remarkable, and that remarkability extended to my community at large. Up until then, I had always known that community was where you lived… the place, the people, the things. Yet, until the severity of COVID-19 struck me in the Spring of 2020 I had never fully understood the value of community. I’ve had my business for 11 years in Novato and from the beginning had done my best to contribute within the community via participating in local committees, volunteering, and donating.

However, one of the only joys of 2020 was finding out how much deeper the value of community runs. It was made up of my clients providing me with texted updates on local restrictions and encouragement to not give up; messages from colleagues and community contacts who provided me with guidance and understanding on best PPE practices; other estheticians online collaborating and assisting one another with COVID-safe service ideas; and, of course, both old and new friends reaching out to simply lift the emotional burdens of 2020 off of one another’s shoulders.

When I look back at 2020, there were many redefining moments for me, my business, my relationships, and my community. My internal and external reflection is beyond what you see:  now I see how everything in my past experiences has led me up to this point, how all my hard work has paid off and will continue to pay off, how even the smallest relationships or building blocks in your life can provide the biggest support, and how you should never take for granted the life you have on this Earth. 

My Final Reflection? Thank You, 2020, For Your Hardships, Your Lessons, and Your Blessings (that Go Beyond Skin and Body Care)

Thank you, 2020; thank you to my pod, to my family, to my community, to my spouse… to everything and everyone that imparted their hardships, lessons, and, at the end of it all, blessings that will inevitably propel me to make the most of 2021 (and beyond!)

Signed with much love and gratitude,

Janie Escamilla

Business owner

Esthetician

Wife

Auntie

Daughter

Sister

Friend

Dog Mom

Warrior

Survivor

Nerd

Book lover

Kombucha-drinker

And, one day, CEO