From Solo Suite to Community Skin Sanctuary

Welcome to Arch Brow and Lash Spa!

My name is Sonita Michelle Gray, and I am the sole proprietor and lead aesthetician of Arch Brow and Lash Spa. For years, I have proudly served the Chattanooga area, building a reputation for specialized, results-driven skin and lash care. Now, the demand has outpaced my single-suite capacity.

I am expanding my solo practice into a multi-room, fully equipped aesthetics spa in East Ridge, Tennessee, and I need your help to transform the space into a sanctuary for skin health and beauty.

Our Extended Brand Narrative: Expertise, Equity, and Expansion

Arch Brow & Lash Spa is expanding not just its physical footprint, but its mission to redefine inclusive, expert-driven aesthetics in East Ridge, Tennessee. This is more than a move from a single suite to a multi-room facility; it is the realization of an 18-year entrepreneurial journey fueled by resilience, education, and the unwavering passion of its sole proprietor, Sonita Michelle Gray.

Having risen from an independent beauty advisor to an internationally recognized expert—the first aesthetician from Chattanooga to speak at the prestigious IECSC and a contributing writer for DERMASCOPE Magazine—Sonita Michelle is uniquely positioned to deliver paramount skin health. Our expanded spa will become the much-needed sanctuary for specialized treatments, from Certified Advanced Lash Styling to clinical DMK Skin Therapy, ensuring high-quality, results-focused care is accessible to all skin types and conditions.

We are correcting a clear lack of representation and comprehensive expertise in our local market, creating an environment where every client feels seen, and where every professional we hire is mentored. By investing in our renovation and equipment, you are investing not just in walls, but in a future where Chattanooga’s aesthetics industry is defined by empowerment, expertise, and radical inclusivity.

The Story: Building Authority, One Client at a Time

My journey in aesthetics began over 18 years ago, rooted in entrepreneurship. Starting as an Independent Beauty Advisor for Avon (2005) and Mary Kay (2008), I quickly realized my clients needed more than just products—they needed specialized services. This passion led me to enroll in Miller-Motte in Chattanooga, where I earned my aesthetician license in 2016 and also worked for prestige cosmetic brands CK One Cosmetics, Philosophy Beauty, IT Cosmetics, and Clinique. I was one of only two Black graduating aestheticians in my class.

In 2017, I opened my first location, but the challenges of being a solo, minority professional in a less diverse market created financial strain. After seven months, I closed but pivoted quickly, renting space inside another spa. This move wasn't a setback; it was a masterclass in resilience and networking. I slowly and methodically built a loyal, thriving clientele through word-of-mouth and unwavering commitment to excellence. I left the spa where I was renting a treatment room in 2019, launched my first line of cosmetic products, and changed my spa name to Sonita Michelle Esthetics, and later changed it to what is now Arch Brow and Lash Spa in 2024.

The growth that followed has been driven by education and professional advocacy:

• 2021: I solidified my expertise by becoming a Certified Advanced Lash Stylist and a DMK Fundamental Skin Therapist, offering high-level, paramedical treatments.
• 2022: My expertise was recognized nationally when I was chosen as the first and only aesthetician from Chattanooga, TN to be an ambassador and contributing writer for DERMASCOPE Magazine.
• 2024: I was the first and only aesthetician from Chattanooga, TN to speak at the prestigious International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference (IECSC), presenting as a business consultant for Fearless Beauties.

This expansion from a solo suite to a multi-room facility is the direct result of that hard work and industry recognition.

The Vision: Inclusive, Expert Care in East Ridge

East Ridge, TN, and the surrounding areas have a clear and pressing need for an inclusive skin spa led by experienced, licensed, and certified aestheticians.

Arch Brow and Lash Spa is filling this gap by specializing in:

1. Inclusive Skincare: Customized facial and chemical peel services for all skin types and conditions, particularly those historically underserved by the mainstream beauty industry.
2. Specialized Treatments: High-demand lash, brow, and waxing services performed by highly trained professionals.
3. Hiring & Mentorship: The expansion allows me, as a Black woman sole proprietor, to hire and mentor other professionals, creating job opportunities and increasing representation in the local aesthetics industry.

This isn't just a business expansion; it's the creation of a much-needed community hub for specialized, high-quality aesthetics.

Your Investment: Where the Funds Will Go

Every dollar contributed will directly fund the critical infrastructure needed to transform our new space and hire our team. Your support ensures we can open our doors fully equipped and prepared for sustained success. 

Renovations: 

- Cabinetry and portable sinks needed for two treatment rooms, painting, and aesthetic finishings

Equipment and furnishings: 

- New and updated professional equipment (multi-function facial machines, wax pots, magnifying lights for the additional treatment rooms.

Initial Payroll and Training:

- Hiring and training for licensed professionals and spa staff, ensuring competitive pay and benefits.

Inventory and POS System:

- Stocking back bar for all treatment rooms and retail area, and Point-of-Sale software and equipment for essential operations.

Operational Cushion:

- Covering 1-2 months of rent to assist with overhead costs while building clientele.