For Patricia Owen of FACES, Success Is Contagious

US Chamber President Tom Donohue presenting Patricia Owen with the 2009 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award.

If you’ve ever vacationed on Hilton Head Island, chances are you know all about FACES, one of the largest and well known day spas on the southeast coast. The Village at Wexford is easy to locate, and it’s even easier to slip into the day spa lifestyle there. FACES offers traditional and innovative facials, massages, body treatments, makeovers, manis and pedis, and products. More than 150 different product lines - including FACES SignatureSkincare - are ready and waiting for you during your visit to the BeautyBoutique and SpaShoppe. So that you’re never without your beauty regime, FACES makes everything available for purchase online. (and they’re on facebook, so feel free to become a fan and learn more about spa specials, etc).

But what’s most intriguing about FACES, is the beauty and brains behind this award-winning day spa. Having made the island her home for the past 25 years, Founder Patricia Owen and her husband moved south because of an opportunity she saw in opening FACES, one of the first cosmetics boutiques (that’s where the name came from) that sold Estee Lauder. That was in 1983. Over the years, as Patricia has seen good times and weathered tough times, her vision of success always kept her one step ahead of the trends. She was first to add facials to the spa’s service offering, mainly to boost sales during the retail shakedown in the late 80s with the rise of mega discount centers. Ultimately, she made the decision nine years ago to take the plunge and renovate her space to include a full-service day spa serving two distinct markets namely, the 4,500 residents of Hilton Head, and about 2 million annual visitors to the island.

All entrepreneurs know that starting a business as a sole proprietor involves vision, skill and risk.

Patricia survived three recessions since starting the company and credits her ability to offer what her client is seeking - personal touch – with the efficiencies of big business ideas. As evidenced by her awards and accolades, Patricia is really good at coming up with the next new idea and her insight is being recognized. In May, FACES DaySpa of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, was selected as the Southeastern regional winner of America’s Small Business of the Year award. The award was presented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce during America’s Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C.

Hatch Talk asked Patricia what it means to be named among the Top 7 businesses in the nation across all industries by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . “We have an award-winning business, not just a spa,” says Patricia. “People always ask me what I do. I tell them that I own a day spa. It's not always the biggest business, or the one that makes the most money, but there is something about what we do that works!”

Patricia offers her advice to Hatch Talk readers, “Even if you win one time, it’s something. Winning an award helps you win your next award. It opens your eyes. That first time I was up for an award in 1996, I really didn’t think I had a chance. On deadline day, I just told myself, 'get it done.' On the morning of the awards luncheon I asked my husband whether I should even think about writing an acceptance. There’s no way we were going to win. And we did!

Every email Patricia sends includes her list of awards. Maybe this success thing really is contagious.

PFGBEST Communicator Pat Campbell Wins Trumpet Award

"This is so cool. I’ve never won an award before,” says Pat Campbell of PFGBEST

Winning an award is cool stuff. Ask any entrepreneur what it's like to be named “Rising Star”, “Best Spa Experience”, or “Top Small Business”, and you’ll find out just how much the recognition can mean for the business and its clients. Hatch PR will be talking with entrepreneurs who are quickly gaining exposure because of their willingness to enter competitions and share their leadership advice. Although winning isn’t everything, I have found that the journey is well worth the while, because when you do secure your first big trophy, it can mean a giant leap in your press campaign.

To kick off the awards segment of Hatch Talk, what better way than to spotlight a leader who actually works for a company that has BEST in its name, PFGBEST Senior Vice President, Communications, Pat Campbell. Pat won a Silver Trumpet Award for her distinguished achievement in public relations at the recent 50^th Anniversary Golden Trumpet Awards. The Publicity Club of Chicago's 2009 Golden Trumpet Awards are the most prestigious awards program in the Midwest honoring distinguished individual achievement of public relations and communications. These coveted awards are presented for excellence in planning, creativity and execution.

Here’s what Pat told Hatch Talk about winning her Trumpet Award:

“After setting my New Years resolution on winning something – anything - I was very thrilled that one of my 3 submissions to Publicity Club of Chicago was of award quality. This is my first Trumpet Award and it was for our company’s first-ever annual report, which I wrote. Considering the number of categories, entries, competition and scale of our industry in Chicago, it seems like a miracle to have won anything at all!  I was fortunate and very happy to have my friend Ann Higby of Hatch PR, and Lauren DeBueriis, the daughter of a colleague who just happens to be a recent DePaul graduate in PR studies, as my support network for this occasion. Ann has always been someone who has been a powerful networker and advocate for my dreams and aspirations, and both of us hope to have a positive impact on Lauren as she enters our world – Chicago style PR."

Tip from Pat Campbell:

I hope to see all of you Hatch Talk blog readers entering some competition in the year ahead so you, too, can win something – ANYTHING!!!

Fashion Week at Simone's Boutique

"It's that feeling of confidence you get when you know the look is right," says fashion consultant Simone Gensburg of Simone's Boutique pictured (center) with her models Denise McClanahan (left) wearing a navy dress by Angelo Tarlazzi, and Susan Becker (right) wearing a a double tank dress in chiffon and silk viscose with Swarovski Crystal by Jeremy Laing.

Here's another tip: “You bring all of your previous work experiences to what you’re doing now,” said Liene Stevens, editor of The Smart Planner™ blog.  I’ve shared this advice quite a bit lately in talking with entrepreneurs on how to make themselves more marketable. 

My colleague Simone Gensburg, founder of Simone's Boutique in Winnetka, applied her knowledge of modeling, fashion consulting and retailing, to land a successful week in business the first of May. It's amazing how with just a few pointers from someone like Simone who’s been there, can really make all the difference in your boutique’s fashion photography, shows and events, and ultimately the client’s love of the fashion moment. “Fashion is a subject that I participate in fully,” says Simone. “I like being a consultant to my clients because I want them to experience the positive impact of putting your energy into something and feeling good about the results.” 

Simone knows fashion, and her smile and style will tell you just how much she loves the industry. Her clients trust the fashion consulting they receive on ways to inspire creativity in dressing for day, evening, or simply walking around town.  So it’s fitting that Simone’s Boutique is also known for its dressing room shopping concept where Simone has recreated the look and feel of her own dressing room at home. The boutique opened in August 2007, and is a comfortable place to shop and to try on high-end designer collections.

Classic and clean lines for spring and summer 2009 by Malandrino, Brian Reyes and Ruffian inspired the ultimate fashion week at Simone’s Boutique and a wonderful experience for me. I had a taste of the fashion week pace while working behind the scenes with Simone Gensburg at a magazine photo shoot for the boutique; a fashion show for the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce and a two-day trunk show featuring vintage jewelry by Lulu Frost.

Stella Mikhal Mod to Millennial

Spring has officially sprung, and what’s hatched is a vision (think-smoky eye) for beauty from Makeup Artist Stella Mikhal. I had the chance to meet Stella and learn about her spring makeup trends and tips while working on a magazine shoot last week for Simone’s Boutique.

Stella’s mod to millennial trend in eye makeup is inspired by “The Millennials.” It is a newer version with color that updates the mod-looking smoky eye with heavy blacks, grays and browns. Stella uses deep jewel tones such as green, blue, and bronze to update this classic look. “The smoky eye doesn’t have an age. Every woman can wear it to add glamour.” This kind of advice is what keeps her clients coming back for more of what Stella has to say. Email: ekeka1210@aol.com.

Stella’s specialty is makeup and what she does for a living is “make people more confident about their appearance.“ She is the rotating Makeup Artist for Laura Mercier in Chicago, and is a freelance makeup artist for professional photo shoots, media, weddings and more. Her 23-year career includes working and training with Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier, and Reggie Wells, Oprah's makeup artist.

Talking about what she does comes naturally for Stella. One great way to get press is to have something new to talk about, and with Stella, it’s all about the smoky eye. It’s big for spring. You can wear the look all year, but mod to millennial is the inspiration for Spring 2009. Here’s how Stella created the look for Lina Samandas who modeled for the shoot.

• Use a black/navy (or black/gold) eyeliner pencil to instantly smoke the eye by applying to the entire lower lid. 
• For Lina, Stella used a copper brown eyeliner pencil with a “coffee ground” shade of brown eye shadow for drama on the lid.
• Blend lightly on the ball of the eye or smudge
• Line with cake liner at root of lashes to draw attention and add what looks like fullness to the lashes
• Use a neutral, butter cream-colored or morning dew (pinker tone) highlighter under the brow bone
• Use a soft-colored shadow at the crease
• Apply a full set of lashes to add lift to the eye; or use individual lashes at the corners of the eye
• Wing the eye using an eye pencil
• Perfect the eye with Q-tip at the lash line
• Apply Mascara
• Apply Liquid Eyeliner (no pencil)

Stella Says:

Airbrush makeup is the way to go. It is a mist of beauty for creating a fresh dewy, second layer of skin. High definition media is demanding the look. And, as more photographers and videographers are shooting in hi-def, makeup needs to appear softer while maintaining a vibrant finish. As an alternative, try the Silk Cream Foundation from Laura Mercier. Stella says, it's the next best thing to airbrushing.

The Silken Tent Harm Not, Look Hot

Green from the beginning, Silken Tent in Glenview is an eco-chic destination spa and boutique with a unique mission, to help every guest find the sureness of her soul. In honor of Earth Day, Co-founders Sherri Stewart and Tiffany Cannon hosted “Harm Not, Look Hot” on April 25-26, featuring eco offerings from favorite green lifestyle brands.




To mark the occasion of the 2nd Annual event, Sherri and Tiffany introduced their clients to a Karma Yoga class totally free of charge. Donations were accepted to benefit The Nature Conservancy, and ten percent of proceeds from the 2-day trunk show were also donated to TNC. Tiffany explained that by offering Karma Yoga, (ie. whatever you put out there in this world, comes back to you) the person taking the class is able to make a choice of donating to the charity involved. “We love the idea of being able to offer a Karma Yoga class on a more regular basis.” Silken Tent partnered with Chicago’s favorite eco candle line Colette from proprietor Colette Gleeson, to launch a signature scent for the Earth Day event. They collaborated on an exclusive candle called “Beach” for Silken Tent that combines coconut and lemongrass scents, a rare combination that’s truly a must-have for summer.

Hatch talked with Nvey Eco President/CEO Jane Dirr to find out what’s behind all the buzz with green makeup and cosmetics. I caught up with Jane Dirr on Saturday at The Silken Tent. We always have the best conversations about the business of beauty. In addition to The Silken Tent in Glenview, she’s in Macy’s stores’ Beautiful Planet Shops nationwide, online with Sephora, and a whole host of wonderful independent specialty retailers and spas throughout North America. This weekend, Nvey Eco had three events celebrating Earth Day in the Chicago area: The Silken Tent, Macy’s Old Orchard and Macy’s Water Tower.

Hatch Talk: You were covered in the first print issue of Organic Beauty Magazine and recommended by Kelly Magill, editor of Positively Green Magazine for her interview on The Today Show 4/24. How did you hatch your PR?

Jane Dirr: The editors called us! We were also recently featured in the April issue of Real Simple, and sold more than 600 black mascaras online as a result. We’re doing our own PR for the moment. We’re also taking advantage of opportunities that come our way. The opportunity to be part of Macy’s “Beautiful Planet” shop within a shop came about quite unexpectedly. After doing their research, Macy’s contacted us to be their color line of choice since we were a luxury line, yet truly certified organic. Like all of our clients, they love the efficacy of our brand and the fact that consumers do not have to sacrifice high performance and rich pigments by going green. Our partnership with Macy’s continues to expand and we have a great level of respect for each other.

Hatch Beauty Business advice from Jane Dirr: Be open to trying something new; to veer from the 5-year plan; and say “why not, let’s see what happens.”

Spring Makeup Trends from Silken Tent Esthetician and Makeup Artist Heather Flowers:

• It’s all about softer, pastel collections for eyes. Try Nvey Eco’s Organic Eyeshadow Palette No.2. Mix two shadows together to customize your look.
• Beautiful skin is always in style. This season you’ll want to make sure your skin looks as if it has barely been touched. Start with Nvey Eco's Organic Moisturizing Fluid Foundation for a look that says glowing from within. Make sure and apply a SPF 15 or higher if you’re heading out and about.
• The tip for using lip gloss this season is to apply only to add shine. Choose from new Organic Lip Lustres “Barely There” or “Flirt” from Nvey Eco. For fun, try the new Certified Organic Lip Plumper to plump, hydrate and moisture your lips (and temporarily enhance the natural color and shape of your lips).
  

Sandra Scheibe's Salon Story

Sandra Scheibe, Salon Owner & Stylist, 

2919 North Ballard Road, Appleton, Wisconsin 54911

"Personally and professionally, WTGA helped build my successful career in the beauty industry. The hairstyles, the people, their stories and the gift of time will forever bring a smile to my face and joy in my heart." 

Hatch talks about the Where The Girls Are (WTGA) legacy dating back to 1973 when the new kid Sandra Scheibe enters the salon and takes the chair to heart. Stylist Sandra Scheibe shares her story below.

Fresh out of Beauty School and eager to make people beautiful, I was thrilled to land a job at one of the best salons in Neenah-Menasha, Wisconsin. Where The Girls Are was the perfect setting for a "new-be" like me. The existing team of stylists had a full book of appointments, but they all made the time to share their trade secrets with the "new girl" on the block. We were like a family. My career blossomed because of the love, care and experience WTGA gave me.

When I look back, I remember how exciting it was to be a hairdresser in the early 70's. Hairdressers like Paul Mitchell and Vidal Sassoon radically changed the direction of hairstyling. The introduction of "precision cutting" gave stylists and clients the freedom to style hair without rollers. The shape was cut into the hair, and products supported the shape. Free at last! Clients could create the same look they got in the salon at home. "Wash and Wear Hair".

I fell in love in 80’s and marriage lead to the start of a family. (This was also about the time I began doing natural-looking curly perms, but I’ll tell you more about that in the next issue of HatchTalk). Because the salon atmosphere is the greatest network pool in the world, I had the best marriage and baby advice any young woman could dream of. Fellow stylists again shared their trade secrets with me. Only this time it was about marriage and motherhood. I also was guided and loved by my dear and dedicated clients. I could not have asked for a more rich life.

After sixteen wonderful years at WTGA, it was time for me to spread my wings. I left the nest, to open my own small salon. Exciting and scary, but I was not afraid of hard work. The foundation of the beauty business built at WTGA gave me the confidence to fly. Education was always important and exciting to me. When my salon was established I became a part time educator for Paul Mitchell Systems. I loved the challenge of learning to teach other stylists about our business and our products. As time went on, being an educator, stylist/salon owner, wife and mother was a bit much. Something had to go. I gave up the education to save my sanity.

After thirty-six years fabulous years in the best business in the world, I am still loving (almost) every minute of this rich and rewarding profession. My body is wearing out a bit, but my heart is in the best shape ever. The hairstyles, the people, their stories and the gift of time will forever bring a smile to my face and joy in my heart. Thank you WTGA for my "beginnings".