Meet Yovaletta Scruggs | MedSpa Owner & Wellness Nurse Coach

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

Hi Yovaletta, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
There have been times in my nursing career when I’ve had different roles in different settings. I’ve been at the hospital bedside, home health, and clinics, and for the last 10 years have been in leadership with 24/7 accountability. Since becoming an entrepreneur, I have more flexibility but equal accountability. The accountability to myself, my family, and what my faith requires of me has never changed, it just requires a different approach. In the past, there were times I’d be called in to work and we’d be out as a family. Now I can plan my operations to an extent and quickly shift when needed. For example, my schedule is tailored to ensure I’m picking my daughter up from school each day. Yet, there will also be the nights when everyone’s asleep and I’m working on something critical to the business’s success that I’m solely responsible for. Something that maybe takes a few iterations to get it right.

I don’t think about work-life balance as two separate entities. I think we often picture this as if they are on opposing sides of the scale. I see them as a required integration. Work is a part of my life, and it is a fulfilling part. Judging from a 50,000-foot view maybe you evaluate over the year or years how you spent your time, but I have to get much more granular to give myself the grace that I need. I look at it week to week and if the situation is challenging enough, the day-to-day. I think if we maintain that integration of a working life and align it to something more tangible, it offers a more realistic evaluation. One that is based on your standards and needs. I try to tie my balance to small goals or impacts. It’s not just quantifying time spent, rather how did I feel during that time? What was the impact on other people involved? What was gained or shared, and did it put me a step closer to who and where I want to be or helping someone else achieve that? That’s important because there’s intention there versus tasking.

Work-life balance is whatever the balance needs to be in the moment. It is situational and it’s okay if there are days or even weeks in which there’s a heavy focus on certain aspects of life, it’s all life. Otherwise, we can find ourselves running from one side of the scale to the next, exhausted, disoriented, and disappointed.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Lotus Longevity is a wellness medspa that provides concierge wellness and beauty services. We differ in that we are a group of highly experienced RNs. We’ve worked together before the business. Our backgrounds range from the Emergency Department, ICU, Women’s Services, and nursing education and leadership. For us, it isn’t just starting IVs and giving injections. There is an advanced skill set for making assessments and connections. I still prefer the term patient over client. Sure, it’s ingrained in our medical jargon but there is a level of care involved versus just a service rendered. We want to know who you are, what goals you’re trying to address, and why it matters to you. We need to be able to keep that continuity each time we meet and nurture our patient relationships in between. So, whether you’re scheduling weekly nurse coaching sessions or quarterly Xeomin injections it’s important you trust us, and we can always pick up where we left off. This trust extends outside the brick-and-mortar setting. We offer a concierge experience that can be replicated at your home, office, or at an event. Our patients know they’ll receive quality care. I know my team takes pride in doing things the right way. They have a personal standard that’s been long established and was easy to align with our mission.

I’m most excited about the possibilities to be a part of the community’s wellness journey. We want them to know about the benefits of proactively seeking therapies for health promotion and maintenance. I challenge the belief that aesthetic services are just about vanity or are only for a select group of people. There is an element of confidence to consider. If we perform a procedure with PRP that reduces acne scarring, regrows areas of thinning hair, or helps revitalize a woman’s intimate health, there is a positive physical and psychological impact to be gained. If we administer neurotoxins that relax your frown lines, it may make you more approachable once others have a more accurate perception of your mood. Treating overactive sweat glands decreases anxiety and embarrassment. And with all these things the nursing process is integrated. There is so much we uncover when we connect with genuine inquiry and empathy. From there we can be a resource to help navigate whatever is needed next. Maybe it’s wellness coaching, education about a new diagnosis, or a referral to the most appropriate healthcare practitioner.

Getting here has had its challenges. I’m still trying to get there. It’s early for Lotus Longevity. I’ve always wanted to create a spa and even considered a bed and breakfast. It’s the idea of spaces that are a place of relaxation with attention to the way the environment and service are presented. I identify with the lotus flower when I think about wellness within life’s framework. The lotus sprouts from the depths of muddy waters and emerges to the surface revealing beautiful blooms. Petals open during the day and close at night, with this cycle repeating. It symbolizes the opportunity to flourish in even the most difficult situations.

I experience these cycles as well, starting from a murky place where there certainly was inspiration but not a clear view of success. There was a lot of risk when before I’d depended on the predictability of a salary. I have an MBA and while I’ve executed day-to-day operations for an employer, this knowledge does not automatically carry over to entrepreneurship. There were things I needed to learn. One initial challenge was narrowing down our target audience. Most services are beneficial to men and women of varying ages, so I was concerned about limiting myself. We’re determined to focus on professional women aged 35-65 and maintain a commitment to other groups. Similarly, it was tempting to take on other unplanned services. People asked if we offered laser hair removal or body contouring. You want to jump at those requests, but they end up being a distraction from your niche.
Integrating social media into marketing was also a learning curve. I didn’t know about best practices for content creation or posting nor did I want to be the brand face on reels. Face-to-face interactions are my preference but I respect the necessity of social media. Overcoming these challenges and breaking outside my comfort zone began when I sought help. This is where the blossoming starts. I worked with a career transition coach who led me to many resources including a small business mentor. Knowing my limitations is what helps to pave the way to move beyond them. I’m the expert in my arena and my resources are experts in theirs. No matter your experience or education level there is always something to learn.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Eat: We’d go for the Prestige oysters at Pier 6 in San Leon, The Original Ninfa’s for TexMex, B&B Butchers & Restaurant has excellent steak and lamb. Also notable are Bo-bobs, Pat Greer’s Kitchen, and Thai Halal Bistro. For the sweet tooth is Hank’s ice cream and cookies from Courtney Lynn at She Bakes.

Drink: The Doshi House has great coffee and tea in a super chill atmosphere. Thrive Juices are fresh and flavorful, tea time at the St Regis Hotel is perfect for light bites and conversation.

Visit: Admire the plants at the Houston Botanic Garden and stroll at The Japanese Garden at Hermann Park, feed the ducks at David Braun Park at Lake Nassau (a bird sanctuary), check out the newest exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science, local vendor shopping at Flea by Night in Discovery Green

Entertainment: Watch the latest musical in the theater district, live jazz at Cafe 4212, attend a Candlelight concert (the Marvin Gaye and Al Green tribute are on my list), enjoy food and culture at a local festival.

Health & Wellness: Workout at The BodyShop HTX, have a float & sound bath session at Infinity Float, and spend a half day at Gangnam Spa Healing Paradise (Korean baths, scrubs, and saunas)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Family is always first and, in that aspect, they were the first to show their support. My husband didn’t freak out at me wanting to take the leap for full-time entrepreneurship. He is the first to like all my posts and share ideas. My parents have had full confidence in me and are always there to help with events. My daughter has been my right hand for many hours of setup at the spa. She keeps a pulse on how my day was and what’s happening in the business.

Naziat Khan of Lolona USA has been the best business associate. She’s been an inspiration as another entrepreneur who took a risk to go all in. Naziat is always promoting Lotus Longevity as a patient and a friend.

Website: www.lotuslongevity.com

Instagram: @lotuslongevitytx