Afternoon Launch
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Lydia Sarfati (far left), David Sarfati and Shiri Sarfati (far right) pose with winners of this year’s Repêchage Awards of Excellence and Spa de Beaute of the Year (l to r): Pamela Onges, Ashley Onges, Colonial House Day Spa; Steve Hightower, Steve Hightower Hair Artists’ Studio and Lillian Nathanael, Beauty Science. |
Spa owners gathered in New York in August to celebrate the launch of Repêchage’s new Vita Cura 5 Phase Firming Facial and the winners of the company’s annual Spa de Beauté awards. Guests at the 8th Annual International Repêchage Spa de Beauté Congress were treated to a fashion show featuring dresses by Alberto Sanchez Couture and a presentation of the science behind the new facial system by company founder Lydia Sarfati.
This year’s Spa de Beauté entries were judged by the DAYSPA editorial staff, and the awards were presented by executive editor Amy E. Hamaker. Winners included:
• Beauty Science, Victoria, Australia—Spa de Beauté of
the Year
• Steve Hightower Hair Artists’ Studio, Atlanta—Award of Excellence, Spa Design
• Colonial House Day Spa, N. Easton, MA—Award of Excellence, Charity/Community Efforts
• La Bretagne Holistic Rejuvenation, Bangkok Thailand—Award of Excellence, Most Innovative Spa Concept
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Gene Juarez Sold
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Spa/salon owner Gene Juarez recently sold his company to Evergreen Pacific Partners. |
Gene Juarez Salons & Spas, based out of Washington state, was recently sold to Evergreen Pacific Partners, a $275 million private equity buyout fund that also owns Western Broadband in Phoenix and Finest City Broadcasting in San Diego. Evergreen plans to upgrade many of the existing eight Gene Juarez locations, open new locations throughout the Puget Sound region and increase the range of services offered by the chain.
“I picked Evergreen because they understand our brand and are committed to growing the business while maintaining this culture and focus,” said founder Gene Juarez. The business’s more than 1,200 employees will continue to receive education through the company’s advanced training salon.
In addition, Janet Denyer will join Gene Juarez as the company’s new CEO. Denyer’s experience includes the Red Door Salons and Spas, where she was senior vice president of operations, as well as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Disney, Marriott International and Intercontinental Hotels.
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Think Pink
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and you can help the cause in your community:
Hairstylists in the black community will be able to offer their clients more information about breast cancer prevention and screening with the Reach Out for Life: Somebody Needs You program of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Central & South Jersey Affiliate. Stylists are encouraged to discuss the unique cancer risks black women face: The death rate for black women with breast cancer is 32% higher than that for Caucasian women, largely because of later-stage diagnoses. The program aims to provide breast cancer screenings more for than 1,000 woman over the coming year. For more information visit www.komencsnj.com.
In conjunction with Intrinsics, manufacturer of single-use spa essentials, Universal Companies is offering pink vinyl gloves to be used during spa treatments. As part of the Pink Gloves Campaign, Universal Companies will donate $5.50 out of each $9.99 box of gloves to the City of Hope (www.cityofhope.org). For more information visit www.universalcompanies.com.
During the month of October, all proceeds from the sale of La Bella Donna’s Caterina loose mineral powder will go to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information visit www.labelladonna.com.
In support of the fight against breast cancer, the National Cosmetology Association is sponsoring greater awareness this month of its Look Good ... Feel Better program that allows salon and spa professionals to provide a support system for women suffering from cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. For more information on the program visit www.lookgoodfeelbetter.com.
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| Advanced Education |
Day spa employees have some new educational options:
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The Decléor/Carita Training Institute is now open. |
Nail technicians can receive advanced education in their areas with Creative Nail Design’s new Ambassador Direct program. Specially trained CND Education Ambassadors will conduct system-specific education programs at local CND distributor stores or salons; programs are available in liquid/powder enhancements, gel enhancements and natural nail care. “This program provides nail professionals with the opportunity to invest in themselves, empowering them to take their skills to the next level,” said Kathleen Summers, the company’s manager of salon & school development. For more information visit www.creativenaildesign.com.
Decléor and Carita have recently opened their Training Institute in Darien, CT. The 2,100-square-foot center includes a main treatment room with six treatment areas, a VIP treatment room, locker room facilities, and a classroom. Decleor/Carita treatment training is available to the company’s spa partners, while business education is open to all day spas. For more information call 203/656-7930 or e-mail sritchie@decleor-us.com.
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| Honoring Compassion |
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| Sam Brocato hugs a recipient of funds from NCA’s Disaster Relief Fund for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. |
When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast region a year ago, few could have imagined the devastation that swamped the area. Relief efforts for the beauty industry professionals affected are still underway, led by Louisiana native Sam Brocato, head of Brocato Hair Care. To honor Brocato’s efforts as chairman of the NCA Disaster Relief Fund/Katrina, the Professional Beauty Association has awarded him its first-ever Humanitarian of the Year award, and the National Cosmetology Association has awarded him its 2006 NCA Pillar Award for Community Service. Brocato has inspired the industry to contribute more than $1 million to relief efforts.
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Professional Help
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Increasing governmental regulation is on everyone’s minds these days, and it’s a challenge to keep up with emerging legislation. The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is taking the initiative by bringing in Sam Leyvas to work side by side with the association’s volunteer leadership. Leyvas joins the PBA from a stint with the National Association of Home Builders, where he focused on public policy and government relations. Leyvas’ position with the PBA will specifically focus on advancing the association’s agenda both in Washington, D.C., and among state legislatures, including a focus on tip tax credits for spa owners, nail manufacturer issues, healthcare costs and OSHA regulations. |
Giving Back
Manufacturers and spa industry groups are putting their money to good use in supporting their communities and the industry:
In July, George Schaeffer, president/CEO of OPI Products, donated $25,000 to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), a Broadway industry-based not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. Schaeffer presented the check to BC/EFA executive director Tom Viola at an event that introduced the company’s 25th Anniversary collection to the media. Schaeffer is known for supporting his staff as well—in August he presented 67 computer systems and awarded 12 $1,000 college scholarships to the children of OPI employees.
A successful summer series of events at Arizona spas has netted a windfall for charity. Dena Patton, founder of chatchewandchocolate.com, and Lisa Kasanicky,
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founder of arizonaspagirls.com, hosted the Summer Spaaah Series fundraiser at six Phoenix-area spas (Steven Paul Salon, Sibonné Day Spa, D’Armi Esthetic University, Aji Spa, Hotel Valley Ho and Body & Soul Spa). The events have drawn more than 650 women and have raised more than $9,000 in cash and $12,000 in in-kind donations for Fresh Start (www.wehelpwomen.com), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women become more financially and emotionally independent. The events featured mini spa services, goody bags, summer food items, and a chance to win a grand prize of a three-night stay for two at Canyon Ranch in Tucson. |
For more industry news, check
out the latest issue of DAYSPA. |
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