Entrepreneur of the Week

Priya’s Spa - en par with world standards

Sharleen Duval

Dawn Henderson and Judy Facey, aestheticians at
Priya’s Spa

Judy (right) in the pedicure chair

Judy examines a customer’s face before doing facial

Dawn sits in the Spa’s foyer area where accessories
are on display

Monday,  March 14, 2005

The only Spa in the Cayman Islands to offer the Indian technique of ‘Threading’ for the efficient removal of facial hair, and still the only body care boutique here to offer gel nail extensions, Priya’s Spa has become quite popular in the relatively short lifespan of the business.

“We enjoyed a virtual monopoly in the field for some two months after the passage of Hurricane Ivan,” said Dawn Henderson, aesthetician at the Spa. “This was because we received only minimal damage at our location on Walker’s Road, and, with our generator arriving just two weeks after the hurricane, we were able to re-open and meet the great demand for the Spa’s services at that time.”

The Spa’s doors were officially opened to the public only one week before the hurricane hit. “However,” said Sharleen Duval, owner of the Spa, “There was such a demand for the Spa’s services for many reasons, including the fact that one of our aestheticians was already well known in the field.”

“So great and unforeseen was the demand at that time that Dawn Henderson and Judy Facey, Spa Manager and aesthetician, who had left the Island in September, had to return to the Island by October to manage the growing clientele that was, up to then, being managed single-handedly by one aesthetician,” Mrs Duval explained.

Like other cosmetic spas, Priya’s Spa offers body wraps, pedicures, manicures, massages, reflexology, waxing, facials and other treatments but the spa has some very specialist treatments on offer too.

“Hair removal by threading is unique to our Spa and Dawn is the only professional on Island with years of experience in the application of gel nails,” said Mrs Duval.

“Gel nails are far less damaging to the client’s nails and the overall effect is a far more natural look, and additionally they carry no odour with application.

“I saw a definite need to fill an opening for such services in this field here as the services seem not to be up to par with world standards, especially when you look at the high cost of what is being offered.

“So my objective with opening Priya’s Spa was to offer standards en par with the rest of the world, yet at reasonable and competitive prices,” Mrs Duval explained. “I think part of our popularity is because we offer an affordable spa experience. The fact that clients are taken by appointment and there is very little or no waiting, are other attractions to our service. The fact that we are located where we are at 19 Walkers Road, we also offer our clients a very central location that is not too far from where most people work. This way, making time for oneself becomes more convenient,” Mrs Duval added.

Ms Facey described some of the other things on offer at the spa including the beauty products the spa stocks.

“Apart from body treatment services the Spa sells casual jewellery and carries the Clayton Shagal skin care line of products, on display for sale in our foyer.”

Mrs Duval has certainly demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit when she was able to open so quickly after the storm and with unique services and her determination, it is clear that Priya’s Spa is likely to go from strength to strength.

“Our treatment rooms, equipment and trained professionals show that we are serious about the business we have embarked on,” Mrs Duval said, who added that down the road there are plans to open a branch of the spa at another location.

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