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Greening Up The Beauty Shop
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by Cc Brackman
CC Brackman is a former staff reporter for The Brazil Times. Now working as a freelance writer/reporter, she has written for WiseGEEK, Demand Studios and The Poor Chef, a health and wellness magazine.
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Greening up the Beauty Shop
By CC Brackman
When hearing the phrase “good for you,” most people don’t associate those words with beauty salons. Brazilian Margarete Grespan, owner of Studio M Hair Design in Kissimmee, Florida, is hoping to see that change.
This lovely, Latin lady has finally achieved the American Dream of owning her own business, and hopes to combine organic products with Latin beauty treatments.
“I started eating organic food three years ago,” Grespan said. “Then I realized that while I was eating healthy, I was still spending my days working with damaging chemicals. I decided that what was good for me was good for my clients.”
In September, Grespan’s salon will be going all organic, products and treatments. This will be the only salon to offer organic beauty in the Orlando area.
“I have many clients that couldn’t use hair color or perms because of allergies,” Grespan explained. “Organic products will change that. In addition, I am hoping to take advantage of many Brazilian ingredients to create my own product line.”
Studio M already offers a special hair treatment that combines Chocolate (yes Chocolate,) and Carotene. This treatment is a Brazilian secret for soft, luxurious, reborn hair.
“I have used this treatment on my Latin and African-American clients for years,” Grespan said. “My other clients noticed how shiny, smooth and humidity resistant our hair was, and now I offer it to everyone. I even have clients that fly in from New York every three months simply for this treatment.”
Grespan finds the interest in her business exciting, and hopes to eventually open other organic salons, the next one possibly in Miami.
“There is a large Latin community there,” Grespan laughs, “And there is much humidity, too. The climate is so similar to Brazil that I don’t get homesick very much.”
Thankful for all that she has, Grespan gives back to the community by offering a special salon day once a month to a less-advantaged woman, and by giving free haircuts to anyone donating hair to Locks of Love, a wig-making group for cancer victims.
Married with three daughters, Grespan is delighted to show her daughters what a strong woman with a dream can achieve.
“I tell them each day, if you work with your heart, anything is possible,” Grespan said, her voice full of emotion. “You have to dream big, work hard and dreams come true.”
Published: Sep 18,2008 23:41
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Andy Cowan
Andy Cowan, an award-winning writer, whose credits include Cheers and Seinfeld, regularly contributes humor pieces to the Los Angeles Times and the CBS Jack FM Radio Network.
Paul M. J. Suchecki
Paul M. J. Suchecki has more than 30 years of experience as an award winning writer, producer, and cameraman. He's written numerous newspaper and magazine articles. Currently he writes, produces and shoots for LA CityView Channel 35 and his more than 250 articles for Ehow.com are approaching half a million readers.
Coby Kindles
Coby Kindles is a freelance journalist, screenplay writer and essayist. She has been a staff writer at Knight Ridder and a regular contributor to The Associated Press.
Debbie Milam
Debbie Milam is a syndicated columnist for United Press International, an occupational therapist, family success consultant, and motivational speaker with more than 20 years experience. Her work on stress management, spirituality, parenting, and special-needs children has been featured in over 300 media outlets including First for Women, The Miami Herald, Elle, Ladies Home Journal, The Hallmark Channel, PBS and WebMD.
Dan Rafter
Dan Rafter has covered the residential real estate industry for more than 15 years. He has contributed real estate stories to the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Business 2.0 Magazine, Home Magazine, Smart HomeOwner Magazine and many others.
Jack Nargundkar
Jack Nargundkar has been repeatedly published in Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. He is also an author of "The Bush Diaries" published in July 2005.
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