 Oana Truca, Owner/Lash Extension SpecialistWelcome to our Portrait of a Suite Series! Each week we highlight one of our fabulous Service Providers and his or her unique business. Today meet Oana Truca, Esthetician, Lash Extension Specialist and Owner of European Beauty Care in our Suite 112! Oana specializes in Lash Extensions, Microblading Brow Enhancement and innovative European skin care.
PWD: Why did you get started in your industry and why do you do what you do? OT: Funny Story. I have been passionate about all things beauty since I can remember but I never considered pursuing it as a career. Instead I went to college for Foreign Affairs and European Studies. After graduating I was granted an honor scholarship for a Masters in Foreign Affairs and African Studies in Madrid. While in Spain I worked for various NGO’s before venturing into the corporate world of luxury automobile rentals and working for some of the largest firms in Europe. Corporate ultimately moved me to the US and based me in Colorado. I had the amazing experience of flying all over this country and traveling to many states for work but I missed having a home base. I decided it was time for a new venture and enrolled in an Esthetician’s Program here in Colorado. At the time, I assumed this was just a stepping stone to hold me until I knew which direction to choose next. Half way through the program I realized this could be more than a hobby, that I could build a career. I started out slowly but surely. I gained every certification I could and dedicated myself to learning. How else can you achieve excellence? I started volunteering my time in a lash studio to immerse myself in the industry and absorb as much knowledge as I could. Today, I have two locations, employees, and a really promising future ahead! PWD: What is unique about your business? OT: I would say the quality of my services and the attention I give to each and every person that walks into my suite sets my business apart. Working with people, fulfilling their needs and exceeding their expectations is something I constantly try to achieve. I am a firm believer that you attract to you what you put into the universe. I want my clients to feel embraced with good vibes and energy. I try to give them the light to shine bright. That can be translated into a perfect brow or lash but is often times something much deeper than a beauty enhancement. It is a place of confidence, a feeling of worthiness, feeling good about yourself and your image. PWD: What is your favorite thing about working from Phenix West Denver? OT: I love the independence working from Phenix West Denver provides but also the small community of beauty experts that are here. It offers the perfect environment in which to thrive and develop yourself and your business. PWD: Thank you Oana! Awesome interview! For more about Oana and European Beauty Care visit oanatruca.com
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 Welcome to our Portrait of a Suite Series! Each week we highlight one of our fabulous Service Providers and his or her unique business.
Today meet Huy Nguyen, Nail Technician and Owner of NailZ in our Suite 107! Huy specializes in Polygel, Shellac, Manicures and Pedicures. PWD: Why did you get started in your industry and why do you dowhat you do? HN: I started doing nails as a way to make money during college. Right out of high school I got my license to practice from National Beauty College before tackling my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. I had the opportunity to work in several nail salons while in school and got a solid understanding of the industry, different products and techniques. After graduating I followed the natural path of my degree and got a job in bio-agricultural lab work. That should have been it but I started to realize my personality doesn’t mesh well with lab culture. I found I missed the community and wheels of a business, the social aspect, and the opportunity to make art. I also acknowledged an entrepreneurial spirit developing in me and I decided I wanted to start a business by the time I turned 30. I knew it would take diligent practice and planning and I thought about it a lot. Ultimately all these elements blended together and nails drew me back out of the lab. Developing my talent took time and patience and was hard in the beginning. I spent a lot of spare moments just doodling and painting and finding my style. I have always been drawn to art and enjoy giving my attention to layers of detail. I found a lucrative position working at the Beauty Bar Downtown in the Springs. They were patient and supportive of my development and I pushed myself to work 55-60 hour weeks to prepare myself financially and master my technique. After moving to Denver a few years ago I started to realize working for other people had stopped furthering my goal. I knew it was time to do something uncomfortable so I gathered my experience and resources and opened my own nail studio in June! At 29 years old I am realizing a dream that started way back in the lab a decade ago. PWD: What makes your business unique? HN: I am rolling out my vision of what a modern nail salon should be, an atmosphere that is welcoming, upscale and modern, very clean and odor-free, and offers the latest innovative technologies, techniques and products. I try to see my work through my client’s eye, honoring the little details important to them. Keeping each nail consistent and well-shaped is rule number one to creating the canvas for my artwork. I make sure I have enough time to do my job well. Instead of keeping a walk-in atmosphere and rushing to get as many clients in as I can, I schedule every appointment for the right amount of time for each procedure. Though most of my background is with Acrylic, I have taken a big risk and changed my medium to Polygel. It wears like Acrylic but it is hypoallergenic and contains no active ingredient. Acrylic is beautiful when done right but offering a non-toxic environment is a bigger benefit. Once I discovered the flexibility Polygel gives me as an artist I was sold. My clients love their experience and they really love their nails. As far as a business mission I believe in the basics. Nothing fancy. Do the simple things well and you will be successful. PWD: What is your favorite thing about working from Phenix West Denver? HN: My favorite thing about working out of Phenix West Denver is having total independence. I am actually having a blast learning marketing, accounting and budgeting strategies, social media and web presence, things I never knew I could do. It’s life growth experience and that feels good. For more information about Huy and NailZ, go to: squareup.com/appointments/book/BV5JCCN74P88G/nailz-wheat-ridge-co We had an incredible Appreciation Night party for our tenants this week! Shannon set up a Paint & Sip for us at Pinot's Palette in the Denver Highlands. We had Mediterranean tapas and wine. It was SO fun! We laughed and ate and painted and danced and got a well deserved break from taking care of our beautiful clients. Our community is so fun and loving and it really couldn't have been a better time! Check out our beautiful paintings! We will have them on display for the holiday season. Wishing you all a season of peace and love and joy!
 The most congratulations to the winners of our New Year, New You Makeover Contest! Thank you so much to everyone who entered, you are the best!
Women's 1st Place- Congratulations Tamara Meek! Women's 2nd Place- Congratulations Wendy Schulz! Men's 1st Place- Congratulations Kyle Goodrich! Men's 2nd Place- Congratulations Vince Carabelos! Stay tuned to meet our winners and track their makeover experience!  Phenix West Denver is excited to announce its first New Year New You, Transformation Makeover Contest! Are you or someone you know in need of some serious pampering? At the stroke of midnight this New Year's Eve, you could be the winner of a fabulous transformation. Imagine starting 2018 completely renewed. Let our fabulous salon professionals restore your best self and help it shine on the outside. The prizes are simply AMAZING! Check it out:
Official Rules
 Welcome! Each week we highlight one of our fabulous salon professionals and her unique business.
Today meet Nicole Pember, Massage Therapist and Owner of Enso Therapeutic Massage in our Suite 111! Nicole specializes in finding solutions for chronic pain, sports and work related injury and health problems. PWD: What do you love about your unique business? NP: I help my clients understand their bodies on a physiological level and I love giving them the tools to improve their quality of life. I approach massage from a medical perspective and focus on finding real solutions for their pain. Getting to know my clients’ daily habits and physical history allows me to offer comprehensive insights they can use to improve their daily lives. While I offer a relaxing, luxurious atmosphere, I am passionate about healing. I want my clients to leave feeling renewed and like they know how to continue feeling their best. PWD: Why do you do what you do? NP: I discovered I have a natural talent for massage when I was very young. By the time I graduated from high school I had decided to pursue massage therapy as a way to put myself through college. I attended the Colorado School of Healing Arts and was certified in 2009 before attending the University of Wyoming, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 2013. After getting married and moving across the country for my husband’s military career I knew that I wanted to focus on my family rather than pursue graduate school, and my massage therapy training allowed me to do just that. I love that every day I go to work, I make a real and measureable difference in someone’s life. PWD: What do you love about working at Phenix West Denver? NP: I love the atmosphere and community at Phenix West Denver, and I can’t imagine a better place to start my private practice. For the last eight and a half years I have worked at spas all over the country, and I am looking forward to applying all I have learned to creating the best customer experience possible. Starting my business at Phenix allows me the flexibility to support my growing family and raise my children at the same time. For more information about Nicole and Enso Therapeutic Massage, visit: www.massagebook.com/Wheat_Ridge~Massage~ensotherapeuticmassage?src=external  Welcome! Each week we highlight one of our fabulous salon professionals and her unique business.
Today meet Betsy Horowitz, Curly Hair Specialist and Owner of Beyond Curls in our Suite 101! Betsy specializes in contemporary cuts and color for multi-cultural, natural hair textures of all types. PWD: What do you love about your unique business? BH: I love offering a calm space and experience that is beautiful, uplifting, and nurturing of change. I am a “no-fuss” stylist who combines practicality with care and attention. I listen to my clients, pay attention to their needs and help them find solutions. I work with them to develop, what I think of as a personal hair journey, that compliments their identity and lifestyle. I love building trust with my clients and embarking on their hair journey together. PWD: Why do you do what you do? BH: I found with hairstyling, the love of connecting my body and my heart through a tactile craft. Working with my hands in a way that gives to people, soothes and grounds me, and is just a total pleasure! I started my education with Vidal Sassoon 13 years ago. Inspired, I dove into an extensive and rigorous program with Euphora that promised me employment in my choice of high-end salons. Though my career path was solid, I started feeling dizzy from the hype and exclusivity so much of the beauty industry is built on. I couldn’t understand why feeling beautiful should be so unattainable and mysterious. I wanted to simplify what I had learned and focus on celebrating the natural beauty we all have and deserve. Following my heart and intuition, I started training with a curly hair specialist and discovered my true passion for styling natural hair. My private studio now focuses on working with multi-cultural, natural hair textures of all types, from straight to wavy to curly. PWD: What do you love about working at Phenix West Denver? BH: I love working in a calm, uplifting and lovely space that supports my creativity. My talented community offers authentic care and kindness. I love the people and atmosphere at Phenix. For more information about Betsy and Beyond Curls visit: www.beyondcurlshairstudio.com  Today meet Patricia Gilmore, Owner of @Studio103 in our Suite 103! Patricia is a Certified Reiki Practitioner and Hair Stylist.
PWD: What do you love about your unique business? PG: While I’m not the first stylist to incorporate a healing touch in my services, my salon may be among few others that also offer Reiki Treatments. Reiki is a technique based on the principal that a certified practitioner can channel healing energy into a person and activate their own natural healing process. I love providing a space that is comforting, welcoming and just feels good. Good vibes and energy are at the center of my practice. PWD: Why did you get started in the industry and why do you do what you do? PG:I have always loved meeting and connecting with people and have been in the industry now over 33 years. 10 years ago I started practicing Reiki and I have been increasingly drawn to the power of its healing properties in my clients’ lives. Reiki can restore balance and well-being on all levels. Empowering my clients to live their highest and best life; whether that is through feeling good with Reiki or looking their best with a hair service has become my passion. PWD: How long have you been with us and what is your favorite thing about running your business out of Phenix West Denver ? PG: I have been at Phenix West Denver for 18 months and love being my own boss. It is a beautiful, professional, safe space that my clients love too! Great vibes and energy support a wonderful community of business owners who can express their individuality while still functioning in a cooperative partnership. For more information about Patricia or to make an appointment call (720)2993067 or go to: www.facebook.com/PatriciaStudio103/  Today meet Erin Smile, Stylist and Owner of The Hair Apothecary in our Suite 115! Erin specializes in highlights and balayage but says fresh, current cuts will always have a special place in her heart!
PWD: What do you love about your unique business? ES: Like a spa for your hair, The Hair Apothecary is a place to relax and unwind. My goal is to get you the color you want while continuing to enhance your hair’s healthiness over time. I love getting to know new clients, and get excited watching their progress. Seeing them reach their goals and fall more in love with their hair the longer they come to me is my mission! I admit I have an affinity for bright colors and funky cuts, but it’s all fun to me! PWD: Why did you get started in the industry and why do you do what you do? ES: I actually had early interest and study in music performance and equine health. I also wanted to help people and considered going into nursing. Styling hair brought creativity and compassion together for me and I found out cosmetology was a better route than traditional college. I ended up just falling in love with the science behind hairstyling and especially color. Now I truly love making people feel beautiful! After five years of practice, my favorite thing continues to be seeing someone’s eyes light up when they see their final result! PWD: How long have you been with us and what is your favorite thing about running your business out of Phenix West Denver ? ES: I have been at Phenix West Denver for almost two years now and I absolutely love everything about it! It is so nice to be your own boss, make your own schedule, be able to decorate your own space, and work in a drama-free zone! For more information about Erin or to make an appointment call (720)472-2470 or go to: www.styleseat.com/thehairapothecary  Today meet Tammy Little, Stylist and Owner of Hair by Tammy Little in our Suite 114! Tammy specializes in Special Occasion Styling, Updos, Blow-outs, Color and Cuts.
PWD: What do you love about your unique business? TL: I love my wide range of clientele! From my life experience as a caretaker for my family, I would say I specialize in nurturing all ages. I welcome special needs clients and I tailor my services to their wellbeing and care. Comfort and privacy are important to me so I not only offer a private room at my salon but I also do house calls for those who have difficulty with travel. PWD: Why did you get started in the industry and why do you do what you do? TL: I always loved styling my Mom and my Aunt’s hair growing up so going into cosmetology was natural. Community and especially family has always been important to me. After 28 plus years in the industry I have most enjoyed taking the time to make sure every person receives the same pampering no matter what their stage in life. PWD: How long have you been with us and what is your favorite thing about running your business out of Phenix West Denver? TL: I started in April, 2016. I like working here because I can make my own schedule, which keeps balance in my business and personal life. Unlike working for the owner of a large salon, I can express my creativity and use the best products and techniques for my wide range of clients in a private, relaxing atmosphere. For more information about Tammy or to make an appointment, go to: hairbytammylittle.com |
Phenix West DenverIf this building could talk she would want you to know she is so much more than an optimally located and beautiful place. She is filled with thriving, independently owned businesses and entrepreneurs fulfilling their dreams! Explore our community and find out how these beautiful bosses are making it work! Archives
August 2019
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