Press

November 23, 2008

New hair salon transformed into organic Shangri-la

By Chelsea J. Samuel
csamuel@news-press.com

A Bonita Springs salon is going green.

Julie Chandler, 25, purchased Transitions for Hair on Oct. 20 and has been remodeling the salon into an organic paradise: Salon Shangri-La. "It's got a lot of potential," she said. The transformation has been quick. In less than a month, she's revamped the hair color system and changed the name. She hopes to have contractors remodeling the salon in December.

"I've had a lot of work to do to turn this place around," she said. "I'm pretty much starting from scratch. "She's planning to repaint the blue and yellow salon in tan and chocolate earth tones. "I want them to come in here and feel grounded," Chandler said.

One area of the salon that didn't need changing was the staff. She's kept four stylists who worked at Transitions and brought on two other stylists she's worked with at other salons. "They've surprised the heck out of me, how good they are," she said.

Chandler has been dreaming of owning her own salon since she was four years old."I just loved doing hair," she said. "I'm just one of those people who's born to do hair. "In high school, she made a name for herself doing bridal updos. But when she graduated from high school, she didn't head straight to beauty school.

Instead, she studied art and business at the University of Kentucky, building the skills she knew she'd need as a business owner. She worked in a salon when she was in college and, after graduation, went to the Aveda Institute in St. Petersburg, where she graduated with high honors. Although her formal education is finished, she said she never stops learning. "I'm doing a lot of research and studying," she said.

Some of that research took her to Organic Salon Systems, a European hair care company focusing on organic products. Lorraine Andrews was a client at Transitions and was impressed by the new organic color on her most recent visit."It looks quite natural and has has a nice shine to it," she said. Andrews said she thinks the new organic products might be the key to Chandler's success. "I like her idea of positioning herself with a totally different type of product," she said.

Chandler said she's confident her new salon will succeed because she's willing to put in the work to make it a success. But it's also a project she's been working on for 21 years."I've known what I've wanted to do my entire life," she said.That lifelong dream inspired the salon's name. She chose Shangri-la because it means "paradise."

"This is my paradise," she said. "This is my dream."

Grand Opening Announcement Bonita News-Press 1-20-09

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990120063

Bonita Springs' first and only organic salon holds grand opening Friday

Christina Cepero • ccepero@news-press.com • January 20, 2009

Salon Shangri-la: Organic Salon and Spa will come alive Friday in Bonita Springs.

Salon Shangri-la is Bonita Springs' first and only 100 percent certified organic salon and is creating a lot of buzz around town. It will mark its grand opening Friday with a party.

Starting at 5:15 p.m., the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce will come out for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the evening. Between 6 and 7, there will be lots of appetizers, open bar, 20 percent off organic products, 20 percent off services and booth events.

Salon Shangri-la is unique because of its European shabby chic decor and 10 individual booths separated by privacy walls, all to be set up with different activities. The stylists will conduct free consultations and hairstyling lessons at their stations. Other stations will feature a free paraffin wax area, a representative from Zoya Nail Products explaining the benefits of using vegan nail polish, a Malibu product representative explaining the detox products, a representative demonstrating the GHD flat irons, and one booth will even have a game. The game will be $1 a try to win an organic product basket or a $100 gift certificate, and all proceeds will be donated to the Lee County Humane Society. There also will be drawings for prizes throughout the evening.

The salon is located at 3440 Renaissance Blvd., Suite 6, which is west of U.S. 41 between Coconut and Old 41 roads. Its phone number is 949-9030 and its Web site is salonshangri-la.com.

Grand Opening Article 1-23-09

http://www.news-press.com/article/20090131/NEWS0102/901310327/1004/ACC

Bonita beauty salon is completely chemical-free

Stylist Sloane Long uses chemical-free products to color Jen Foster's hair Jan. 23 at Salon Shangri-la: Organic Salon & Spa in Bonita Springs. (Christina Cepero/news-press.com)

Its walls are covered with nontoxic paint, its quartz countertops are crafted from recycled glass and mirror and its products are organic.

Salon Shangri-la, Bonita Springs' first and only 100 percent certified organic salon, celebrated its grand opening Jan. 23.

The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off the party, which featured finger foods, a Shangri-la punch fountain, discounts, demonstrations and drawings. Proceeds benefit the Lee County Humane Society.

The salon has Organic Colour Systems products, which are safe for coloring hair of chemotherapy patients and pregnant women; Malibu detox products for hair; and vegan, long-lasting Zoya nail polish.

"We try to be as eco-friendly as we can be," owner Julie Chandler said.

The salon is completely chemical free.

Its cleaning products are natural, a recycling bin is on hand and its Web site uses a HostGator server that is powered by wind.

Organic products line the shelves of Salon Shangri-la: Organic Salon & Spa in Bonita Springs. (Christina Cepero/news-press.com)

Its furniture is used to create a European shabby chic decor with items such as zebra-print chairs.

Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays.

Salon Shangri-la: Organic Salon & Spa is located at 3440 Renaissance Blvd., Suite 6, which is on the west side of U.S. 41 a half-mile south of Coconut Point next to the ship. Its phone number is 949-9030; Web site salonshangri-la.com.

- Christina Cepero