James Kays

Background

About James Kays

From 1995-1998 I worked at Collinsville, IL where I did just about everything I was big enough to. I started working at The Face & The Body Spa & Salon in 1998 as a Spa Coordinator and soon was promoted to a manager. I have over 11 years of Salon & Spa Management experience. In 2006 I moved to Chicago where I managed a bar that has won many awards for being the best bar in the United States. I did that for 8 years, managing over 100 employees with the bar’s capacity at 1,231 patrons. In 2016 I moved back to St Louis to help take care of my parents. I had a phone interview for a job as an Operations Agent for Southwest Airlines. The gentleman that conducted the interview said “if you managed Sidetrack, you can pretty much do anything in the world!” He was not from Chicago, but had visited the bar on a business trip and saw how massive of a bar it was. I worked at Southwest for 7 1/2 years until leaving to go back to the very first spa that I worked at where I am once again managing. It’s under new ownership now and I’m looking for something more long term that can hopefully be the last job that I have before I retire. In March 2025 I started working for Advanced Nursing where I am mostly working with patients in hospice. I’ve always told my friends that my perfect job would make me feel fulfilled after a work day. This job allows my big heart to shine and I really enjoy knowing that I’m making a difference in the lives of others. My commitment extends beyond my work; as the founder and executive director of Over The Rainbow, I leverage my communication and nonprofit volunteering skills to support cancer-related charities. This dual expertise in customer service management and philanthropy underscores my drive to make a meaningful difference in both the wellness and nonprofit sectors.