Massage therapist & esthetician Meghan Carter has only operated independently for six months — but her goal to create a “moody, eclectic, homey environment” for clients has already earned her spa microbusiness the title of “Suite Spot 2025.”
Meghan Carter Beauty & Wellness in Kingsport, TN, was the top vote-getter in the “Suite Spot 2025: The Most Instagrammable Salon or Spa Suite” contest presented by American Salon and American Spa.
Besides the bragging rights, Carter won a slew of salon and spa prizes (listed below). In second place was barber Brittany Nollette, owner of SwitchFade in Leander, TX.
The contest celebrated beauty, barber, and wellness independents while highlighting the creative, welcoming vibes it’s possible to achieve in a small space.
Like the historic northeast Tennessee city where it’s situated, Meghan Carter Beauty & Wellness blends modern amenities with rustic mountain charm.
Carter had worked in medical spas for years after getting her Aesthetician license in 2012 — offering services such as Botox, microneedling, and laser hair removal.
She eventually went back to school for massage therapy and began combining holistic elements into her treatments, including being an early adopter of CBD-enhanced products in spa therapies way back in 2018.
Eventually, Carter felt the urge to focus on what she laughingly refers to as “fluffy facials — that’s what everyone in the medspa world calls them,” she says. “Facials, massage, lymphatic drainage, gua sha.”
Going independent “wasn’t an easy decision,” she says. “I’d been in the medspa world for most of my career and I loved it, but I wanted to create something different.” Carter would ponder the move for about five years before taking the plunge.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my career,” she says now. “I wouldn’t trade anything in my past — I’ve loved everywhere I’ve worked and all the education I got — but this was the right move at the right time.”
Carter rented a suite near the city center within “Kingsport’s most unique spot,” Blackheart Salon, which hosts multiple independent professionals in hair care, skin care, and nails.
After spending so much time in clinical environments, Carter says, “I wanted my space to feel homey and not sterile.”
Carter thrifted much of her suite’s furnishings and artwork from the abundance of antique stores in and around Kingsport, then filled it with numerous potted plants and herbs.
Vintage anatomy diagrams in frames hang above the treatment table, which is covered in thick, luxe bedding. Crystals and apothecary jars are visible in glass display cases mounted on the wall.
Paired with the space’s hardwood ceilings, floor, and exposed beams, the overall effect is that of a cozy and serene treehouse.
“It’s very comforting, very relaxing,” says Carter, who further sets the mood with aromatherapy and different colored lighting. “I’ve created a very nice space here. I love what I do and I’m happiest when I’m in my treatment room.”
Carter says the initial fear she felt when striking off on her own almost seems laughable to her now.
“I wondered, am I disciplined enough to do this? Can I weather those slow months? I have a great support system and a ton of friends in the industry who encouraged me, but it took a while.”
Now, Carter wishes she could go back in time and tell herself to “just shake that doubt and go for it.”
“I love being in charge of my own schedule,” she says. “And I was surprised with how supportive our town is for small businesses.
“When I started in 2012, renting a suite wasn’t really a thing. You had to be somewhere established to survive and make it,” Carter says. “Now, I’m seeing people right out of school opening their own business and it’s great.
“This industry is big enough for all types. I’m glad this is becoming more of option now for people who are better and happier working for themselves.”
The Suite Spot - First Place Prizes
- Gamma & Bross Salon & Spa Design - Nebula Professional Ultrasonic Vaporizer Steamer ($2K value).
- LightStim for Wrinkles Handheld LED Therapy Device ($249 value)
- 7E Wellness MyoLift Microcurrent Facial Mini Spa Starter Kit ($600 value)
- Créé Professional - Gift Card ($500 value)
- Agape Pro Wax Bundle ($133 value) - Cleanse & Calm Tonic, Prep & Protect Oil, Smoothlee Hypoallergenic Pearl Hard Wax
- Skin Blends Pro Spa Bundle ($425 value) – Enzyme Activator/ Massage Gel; Bamboo Enzyme Combo Scrub; 8 Essential Oil Synergy Blends
- L3V3L3 Kray Semi-Permanent Color Intro Kit ($157 value) and Lit Hair Lightening Intro Kit ($80 value)
- Two tickets to the International Beauty Show/ International Esthetics, Cosmetics, & Spa Conference
The Suite Spot - Second Place Prizes
- Aggieland Barber & Beauty Supply– JRL Ghost Professional Cordless Clipper ($200 value)
- Rolda Cosmetics – Gift Card ($350 value)