An Unexpected Journey to Leadership
“It is hard to have it all,” says Lititia Thomas, owner of Ho‘āla Spa and Salon. “To have a strong career, kids and a great marriage, especially without family help, is a hard reality.” Lititia’s bright-pink tassel earrings and pink-suede kitten stilettos add that spark to her clean elegant demeanor sitting on the benches outside her Ala Moana location. This Sagittarius was not always a business owner, but instead was offered to buyout the previously named “Aveda Spa” after the market crash of 2009. As the general manager of the spa at the time, she was not looking to take on such a huge responsibility. However, when she realized that the fifty-plus employees would either lose their jobs or be subjected to huge life changes, she decided to take on the challenge. “Leaders do not have the luxury to worry when others depend on you,” she notes. Being a business owner doesn’t mean you don’t have bosses—the boss just becomes someone bigger like the bank you took a loan from, the IRS, the landlord, the clients you serve—the stakes just get higher. So, this Southern California native began to make small changes that would allow the spa to stay in business like narrowing down vendors, renegotiating terms and switching to just-in-time inventory purchasing instead of on-stockpile inventory. Coming from a line of strong single moms, she started working at age fifteen taking a job as the receptionist of a salon. Years in the beauty industry and management contributed to her company’s polished classic style, including the clean black-and-white dress code and high hiring standards. These hiring choices she credits as the success of her company—that in order to grow, one must let go of being the most important person and instead build a team of strong leaders. The support system of like-minded people is essential in order to let your guard down and talk about the hard stuff. “You need people who are stronger and better than you. Not negative people who bring you down,” she confides. Failure is bound to happen—it’s just a part of business—and, when that happens, leaders need good people who help them “rip the band-aid off, move forward, and be the bull in the storm.”
“Challenges are crisis or opportunity. There is no master plan. It’s just how you look at things.”
Fortunately, despite financial setbacks, this feminine industry makes it worth it, allowing Lititia her favorites of heels, sleek pants, squared French-tip manicures and lipsticks. “You are allowed to be pregnant,” Lititia noted, as many industries are not understanding of that basic female demand. It also encourages self-care, which many don’t do enough of. While Lititia indulges in monthly massages and plant-peel facials, her day-to-day self-care includes time with her family, walking in nature, reading and watching a movie.
When asked about her proudest moment, Lititia reminisces of the ten-year anniversary dinner she threw at the Kahala Resort this past January. “Walking into that party,” in a glamorous burgundy-sequin gown, “Seeing all the faces of the people who care was the best feeling.” Realizing she is living her dream life coupled with her son’s compliment of “Mom, you were the prettiest one at the party,” is what makes imperfection okay. “Challenges are crisis or opportunity. There is no master plan. It’s just how you look at things.”
