Meet Kate Morris | Esthetician & Reiki Master

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Morris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Blue Moon Studio has been on my mind for a couple of years, slowly taking shape. It got more serious when I was in aesthetics school, but at that time I wasn’t sure yet what the name would be or the kind of space it would be. In the meantime I worked for other studios and spas as an esthetician, learning everything that I could. Many of them were great opportunities to learn what I did like and what I didn’t like, and the idea started to take shape more clearly. I knew I wanted to offer a variety of skin services to my clients that were imaginative and exciting, I knew I wanted to have eco-friendly, organic products that could address a variety of skin types and skin concerns, and I knew I wanted to grow my space in a community environment and give back to my community. Then in January of 2021, I unexpectedly found myself needing to start my own business to support my family. I was lucky enough to find a suite in the Phenix Salon Suites in downtown Longmont, CO, but I still didn’t have the name. I was attempting to relax with my husband one night, trying not to stress about starting the business and as I was staring into that void, I remembered that when we had gotten married it had been under a blue moon. We semi joked that of course, we were a once in a blue moon kind of couple. I looked it up once and in some metaphysical traditions, blue moons symbolize the growth of knowledge and wisdom, especially for women. And then it just clicked, Blue Moon Studio. It has certainly made me grow in so many areas, and as I started it to support my family, in so many ways, it is my love letter to them.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I didn’t find starting a business to be easy at all, but the best things in life aren’t easy. I got lucky a lot, and I had a lot of people supporting me. Starting a business is a never ending series of lessons and it is just as varied, I learn something new everyday. I believe, so far anyway, that the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to keep going. The process can be overwhelming at times, so I’ve found its best to break it down into smaller lists. Then tackle your lists continually and before you know it, you’ve accomplished so much! I have also learned that it is important to be adaptable, if something doesn’t work the way you anticipated, pivot the situation, does it work another way? And as hard as it is can be in the beginning especially, remember to take care of yourself. You truly can’t pour from an empty cup. I am proud of what I have accomplished so far, especially with a global pandemic, but more than proud, I am so unbelievably grateful. Grateful that a suite opened up at just the right time in a wonderful building with welcoming and supportive neighbors. Grateful that I had most of my equipment already, grateful that I had a small client base to start off with and they have literally kept this studio afloat. I’m beyond grateful that my husband supported this idea and was willing to take this gamble with me. I have found that passion and authenticity are what works best for me, and I am passionate about skincare and about my clients. To me, skincare is not about a person’s vanity, its about helping a person feel comfortable in their skin, whatever that means to them from acne prone skin to hair removal. Healthy skin is beautiful skin, and health is more than just a physical ideal, it is also a mental and emotional ideal. I love when my clients fall asleep on my table because they are so relaxed, or when they tell me they love my space because it makes them feel safe and welcomed. I am doing what I feel is my life’s purpose and my passion, and that is helping people find their own, unique beauty in a way that they also feel safe and supported. I am given the unique privilege of witnessing and helping people prepare for not only their daily lives, but those big life moments as well. I have waxed and done makeup for nervous brides, I have advised people of how to take care of their skin after going through radiation treatment, I have helped people get ready for joyous occasions like dates or weddings, and I have helped people prepare themselves for funerals. I feel truly lucky to do what I do.
My passion for skincare started when I was a teenager and I got my first job working for a chemist who made her own, natural skincare. Learning from her, I discovered my passion for herbs and combining them with skincare to not only feel beautiful but to bring about certain results. This spark of an idea brewed in me for years and finally came to fruition this year with my launch of my own skincare line, Blue Lotus Alchemy. Combining my passion for natural skincare and mythology, I like to think of all of my products as a little bit of magic in a bottle!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of the best things about being in Colorado is that there is no shortage of places to go, its hard to narrow it down! In no particular order, I would take a visiting friend to Pearl St. where I spent most of my teenage years, especially the Dushanbe Tea house that is just off of the mall, my mom and I like to go there. Casa Bonita because you can’t explain it to people, they have to experience it for themselves, and of course the Denver Aquarium would be on the list. One of my family’s favorite restaurants would be the Melting Pot in Louisville so we would have to go there, and I always liked the Spirit Hound Distillers in Lyons and Busey Brews Smokehouse and Brewery in Nederland for their fantastic views and menu.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to first shout out to and thank my husband, Robert, he has been beyond supportive and my anchor in a storm. Next, I would like to thank my school instructor from the School of Medical and Botanical Aesthetics in Denver, Martin Hansen. He taught me so much from how to give a relaxing, nurturing skin care treatment to product knowledge to botany, thank you! I would like to especially thank Dr. Cindy Jones of Colorado Aromatics Cultivated Skincare, who gave me my first job so many years ago. Tending your lavender field and brewing in your studio sparked my life’s passion, and I can never thank you enough for that. I would also like to thank my former manager, Lou Ditman, who is a shining light of a human being and taught me so much about waxing, thank you! A deep, deep thank you to my parents, who helped me get through school, and to my mom, who purchased some of my equipment for me to support my dream. And to all of my clients, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Without you and your continued support, this would not be possible.

Website: www.bluemoonstudioco.com

Instagram: bluemoonstudio2021

Facebook: Blue Moon Studio @BlueMoonStudioColorado

Image Credits
Photos by Kate Morris Model: Kate Howard