CELEBRATION WITH STYLE
Novi Salone Nadwa and Day Spa marks five years
By: BJ Hammerstein - The Novi News

It has been a good five years for Nadwa Yono in Novi.

Owner of Salone Nadwa and Day Spa located at the Novi Town Center. Yono has seen her vision flourish lucratively since first opening its doors in November of 1994.

Originating with eight employees, Yono now has 50 beauty industry personnel working towards providing customers with a variety of different services from hair cuts to massages.

"My dream was to own a salon but I didn't imagine this," Yono said. "Originally I want4ed about 2500 square feet, but this location at 5200 square feet was available.

"We went ahead with the salon and spa and wea re expanding into the location next door which is more than 12200 square feet," she added.

With the expansion, Yono said she would like to add more services to the already wide variety the salon and spa offers currently.

From the latest hair styles to a belavi facial face lift, Yono and her staff are doing well as anywhere between 100 and 250 clients a day visit the facilities to partake in the services.

"The clients love coming in here because they can get everything they want done," Yono said. "Whatever you get in the spa - it s taking care of the body.

"The cleansing of the facial pores or massage isn't pampering yourself but stressing your well-being," she explained. "When you leave here, it will be with a relaxed, clean and healthy feeling. It is stress relief - another frame of mind."

Yono attributes her stress on industry education and employee benefits as key factors in making her five-year-old business a $3 million a year operation.

"Everyone here is educated on a continuing basis," Yono said. "We have education reimbursement, we try to give out three scholarships a year and we also do classes here."

Skin care therapist Inna Proskurovsky recently returned from Thailand after a nine day educational seminar with other skin care professionals.

Proskurovsky said the trip was enlightening as she will use techniques taught to her during the seminar for a stone massage for the face and neck and a Thai massage emphasizing foot reflexology.

Yono also said Salone Nadwa and Day Spa is the only place in Michigan which offers its employees a complete paid health care package and a 401(k) package.

The entrepreneur in Yono doesn't stop there. Yono said she has plans to open a new Salone Nadwa and Day Spa somewhere in Michigan (possibly Rochester Hills) and she is also patenting computer software specific to the salon and spa industry.

As Yono reflects on the past five years of owning her own business, she said success isn't measured by the money made but the way people in the community and industry incorporate success to a great name.

"A great name comes from education and having a goal in life," Yono said. "I have taught a lot of people and have seen many changes in peoples lives. Life is easier when you're giving people knowledge about hair styles and how to feel and look healthier."

Now a Novi resident, Nadwa Yono and her husband Eric live with their two children Brandon, 10, and Kyle, 5 in the Vistas subdivision.

Yono said her goals now are to look into other locations for new salons, patent the computer software with success, stay educated and keep up with the latest styles in the industry.

Her next move, the Salone Nadwa and Day Spa Fifth Anniversary Party on Nov. 11, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

She said the client-based party will have a Caribbean theme with many of the guests being from the Novi/Northville area.

Yono said the salon will be making a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan during the party.