Nakita opens Gabby’s Spa and Wellness

Twenty-nine-year-old Nakita John is the owner of Gabby’s Spa and Wellness which is located at No.3 Kirtons, St Philip.

The former student of the Deighton Griffith Secondary School and Barbados Community College said that she decided to become an entrepreneur seven years ago after she became frustrated with job hunting.

“The business was born out of necessity and later became a passion. As I was perusing a spa brochure a few years ago, I was fascinated by the services being offered and the descriptions.

“Sometime later, after going to my hairdresser, who is also the owner of Nikita’s School of Cosmetology, I decided to enroll in classes for that same semester. After completing the full cosmetology course there, I did other courses in soap making and formulating cosmetics overseas (and) I decided to start my own business.

“It was known as Gabby’s Salon & Day Spa and then I found my niche a few years later offering spa services and locally made skincare products. The business name was then changed to Gabby’s Spa & Wellness,” she related.

John said that her spa maintains client’s confidentiality and that contributes to her having many repeat customers who return on a regular basis.

“Client confidentiality is guaranteed. As a general standard, we don’t take photos of clients during services or after (unless they have requested beforehand), and this has allowed clients to feel safe, to be completely relaxed, sleep and snore during services if they care to and wake up feeling brand new. We also incorporate aromatherapy and soothing spa music during services,” she said.

The owner of Gabby’s Spa and Wellness said that COVID-19 has changed how she operates her business but ensuring the safety of her part-time staff and clients is paramount and she remains committed to it.

“The pandemic has forced us to make changes in how we do business. All protocols are strictly adhered to – mask wearing, sanitizing, social distancing, and temperature checks on arrival. We operate by appointment only and there are blocked times in between, to allow for proper sanitising after each service.

“Also, no extra persons are allowed to be waiting in the service area. Persons are stressed and the pandemic has not made the situation any easier. They forget to just take a few minutes to unwind and relax. We aim to create a calm environment through soothing music and the aromatherapy that accompanies the rejuvenating services,” she said.

John added that one highlight of her business is hearing clients say that they would be back with a friend. She noted that as a small business it always makes her feel ecstatic when she gets referrals.

The businesswoman said that after conducting research she decided to develop her own line of locally sourced natural products that would be beneficial to all clientele at her spa.

“In my research, I noted that many spa product lines contain numerous, hard-to-pronounce ingredients and clients have no idea of their purpose.

“I wanted to create a spa line with ingredients that were primarily natural, sustainably sourced, effective, beneficial to all skin types and that clients knew exactly what they were putting on their skin. Many of the products are used during services and are available for retail and wholesale to other small businesses in the spa industry,” she said.

John added that her spa offers personalised services where clients (both male and female) can enjoy massages, facials, pedicures, and manicures.

“No two services are done at the same time as they are all customised to suit the client’s needs with satisfaction guaranteed. We may be cozy and off the beaten path, but we strive for excellence in service each time you come,” she noted. (Write Right PR Services)