Community Highlights: Meet Kat Harper of Haven

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Harper.

Hi Kat, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Massage found me! I was working at a Trader Joe’s in Huntington Beach and a woman named Ardith came through my check out line and told me about a program that would allow me to study kinesiology and massage therapy for free in Culver City, so I applied, quit one of my two jobs, sold my car, financed a new one and made it work for a year so I could learn and drive to trade school. I’d leave my house by 6am in HB for a 10am class that didn’t end until 6pm and I’d get home everyday at 8pm and then do it all over again the next day M-F and worked both days on the weekends to make rent. Since graduating I’ve worked for a lot of companies in the last 10 years of my career and taken a lot of specialty trainings from some world renowned teachers. This work is so important and I absolutely love what I do. About a year ago I went into business for myself after getting laid off from my last employer. It’s been the best thing that ever happened to me. The first year was challenging, I told myself that I’d get a job anywhere to keep my studio open, but I never got that job and a year later I am busier than ever and expanding into a bigger location in the next couple of months. I have a very unique and intuitive myofascial style and I love the community that I get to live and work in.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My first year in business definitely came with lots of challenges. Finding a commercial space for my business in the first place was difficult, I had a handful of clients that followed me from my previous job, but once I found a space to rent, I needed to build a clientele on my own, I needed to build a website and a booking platform.. I wanted to push the envelope on the candle production that I’d started doing the year before and have some handmade retail in my shop. Invested in the right products and supplies. I changed my personal Instagram to a business profile (lol) and started shamelessly pushing my products and services. I had never done any of these things myself and I didn’t have the budget to hire out any of it. Networking and showing up to promote my practice was very difficult for me at first, I used struggle with social anxiety and imposter syndrome can be so for real. I am very grateful to have had a community and platform to showcase my products and services throughout Orange County with Kyle Lam (@kylelamsoundhealing) events. I have been able to grow my business through some local events too, but honestly San Clemente is great, I live here and meet people in the water at San O or on the muni golf course all the time and once I got over the fear of telling people what I do it got a lot easier to build.
When you’re starting out you have to ask yourself:
Who are your dream clients?
How do you find them?

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Haven is You Heaven. We’re a collective wellness beauty boutique thats neon lit in blue and pink with a disco skeleton that sets the mood. What really sets us apart is our commitment to excellence in our respective fields and our studio aesthetic. Think space cowboy cotton candy plant disco. We offer massage, facials, lash extensions, brow tinting, waxing and sometimes tea. Our custom treatments and studio are as unique as you and we welcome everyone equally. I myself specialize in massage and bodywork, I offer therapeutic, myofascial, lymphatic, ashiatsu, Thai, pediatric and prenatal massage and what I’m most proud of is over the years and through word of mouth I’ve developed a niche specialty in helping moms induce labor through trigger point therapy. Last year I was able to help induce 8 mamas naturally and this year I’m working with 4 moms currently through different parts of their pregnancy. I’m a fully mobile therapist but I always highly recommend that people come into the studio when and if they can for their treatments. Picture sipping a complimentary freshly made matcha latte on a leather lounge chair surrounded by plants after a great massage overlooking the golf course and you’re just waiting for your esthetician to pick you up for your facial. You’re in heaven.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The beauty and wellness industry will always be here. The power of touch is more important than ever, this work has real value and relevance in people’s lives and livelihood. We’ve seen a lot of growth in this industry and the market is expected to grow at a compound rate of at least another 7% in the next 5 years. These services are important to people and many people have already shifted or are shifting from big corporations to individual professionals who are licensed in their community and are bringing a new kind of aesthetic. I believe this is the future of health and wellness spaces.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Havensanclemente.com
• Instagram: Haven_sanclemente