Lizz Schmidt
ECB Publishing Inc.
“Home” is many things to many people. If you’re fortunate, it’s everything that centers you. It’s the golden glow of a porch light left on. It’s the aroma of your favorite food as you walk in the door. It’s the laughter that echoes throughout, reflecting inside jokes and shared experiences. It’s the walls that hold all of your history and keep all of your secrets. It’s knowing that regardless of what’s going on outside, there is always solitude within this space. Coming home means something different to us all. For Teri Naylor, it’s about a sense of duty to the town that she believes raised her.
Born and raised in Jefferson County, Teri lived a life that was the epitome of small town, southern charm. Whether she was cheering, dancing, babysitting, or assisting customers at Jackson’s Drug Store (an experience she shared with many other local youths who also called the drug store their first place of employment), she truly embodied what it meant to love the local life. What was it like living in a scene that could’ve very well been plucked from the canvas of a Norman Rockwell painting? Teri expressed, “My favorite thing about being raised in a small town was the genuine, authentic friendships you have from youth group and school friends. All throughout my career I have loved saying I was from a really small historic town in North Florida that has no stoplight!” It’s a sentiment that still rings true today. There is still nary a stop light to be found in Jefferson County.
Long before being an entrepreneur was ever on her radar, Teri was making big moves in the world of talent development. After getting her start in retail in 1993 working for Lancôme Cosmetics, she accepted a position of Store Manager for kid clothing brand Gymboree in 1995. There she stayed for six years, handling a vast number of corporate assignments and training. Upon facilitating the opening of thirty-four additional Gymboree store locations, she was promoted to District Manager in 1999, at which time she relocated to Orlando. By 2001, Teri found herself in the position of Retail Guest Service Manager for Walt-Disney World Resort, handling merchandising and eventually moving to the position of Operations Manager for Disney Floral and Gifts. “It was amazing,” Teri said speaking of her experience with the mega popular company. “I had some crazy, wonderful opportunities throughout my fourteen year career with Disney.”
Along the way, Teri became enamored with following the professional path of Ulta CEO, Mary Dillon. She began to recognize her passion for talent development, and realized that she would not be able to build on that within the confines of a unionized environment. As the Floral and Gifts department was set to undergo some major changes, Teri saw this as her prime opportunity to make the transition to something new. So, in 2015 she packed her bags, and set off for the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to open the Sevierville location for Ulta Beauty as its General Manager. While in Tennessee, she went on to open a second Ulta location in Oakridge, before being called to work her magic at the location in the Turkey Creek Retail Center, a huge outdoor shopping mall complex.
While serving as General Manager for the Turkey Creek location, Teri thoroughly got to utilize her strengths in talent development, assisting her team in fostering the skillset which would build the framework for their professional careers. Under her leadership, the entire team saw promotions within the first year. Always planning a step ahead, she realized that a change in environment would be the catalyst for exponential professional growth. Conceived in this mindset, Teri’s Five Year Plan was born. She promised herself that she would not remain in the same capacity at the same job for any longer than five years. Having not yet met that mark with Ulta, she wondered what was in line for her coming up. Teri being Teri - it didn’t take her long to figure out her next move.
During this time, the Ulta Services Team (the employees who did hair, skin, and brows) was facing some substantial modifications throughout the company. In order to best assist and advocate for her team with the impending changes, she put herself on several committees to really learn the ins and outs of what the Service Team provided. It was at this time that she realized the enthusiasm she felt for the work done by the team. That zeal coupled with the support of her team, lead to a very profitable future for the Turkey Creek location.
In March of 2020, right before COVID disrupted the world with its shutdowns and quarantines, Teri came home to Monticello to visit family for her birthday. While she was there, she took the opportunity to tour the North Florida Institute of Cosmetology, and it didn’t take her long to feel the familiar pull to return home. After the sudden and unexpected loss of her mother in 2012, she understood all too well that the time we have with our loved ones isn’t always as much as we wish that it could be, and after talking with her dad in 2019, she knew that she was ready to get back to her small town roots.
After only nine short weeks, Teri was finished with school and was a fully licensed esthetician. Originally, she planned to work out of Tallahassee, but upon seeing the need for an esthetician on a local level, she decided to call Monticello her professional home as well. Once again, it didn’t take Teri long to decipher her next move and find the perfect spot for her oasis. Located at 1180 W. Washington St., beneath the shade of expansive oak branches, the small studio building with a rich history (it was originally built in 1927) is now home to BeYOUtiful Skin Spa. With its shades of blues and teals, classy oceanic décor, and quiet ambiance; BeYOUtiful Skin Spa is a welcomed respite offering a variety of signature services (currently by appointment only). What’s most important to Teri is accessibility to quality skin care services. A 75 minute facial will run you only $50 and includes a double cleanse, exfoliation, mask treatment, steam clean, and a hand dip in the luxurious paraffin wax. For $10 more, you can get a deep cleanse which includes a deep extraction and double mask and steam treatment. All signature services include a dip in the paraffin wax.
Are you ready to book a consultation? Teri is more than happy assist. “I can do the consultation pretty quickly, and I can assess pretty quickly, but I do take the time to spend with you.” The time invested into guests during this initial meeting is important in painting the picture for the perfect regimen. Everything from product history, to areas of concern and product recommendations are discussed. Do you find you still need a little help picking out the best products for your skin? Teri will help you navigate the aisles of your local store to ease your worry.
Life is funny in the journeys it takes us on. For Teri, it seems that in following the path home, it also lead her right back to the heart of who she is, deep within the roots of the place that made her the woman she is today. And, for that- she couldn’t be more thankful. For a complete list of services and pricing, or to book a consultation, you may contact Teri at (850)800-7495 or stop by BeYOUtiful Skin Spa at 1180 W. Washington St., in Monticello.
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