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Wednesday, July 1st was one of the
very hot days that have been experienced in Logan County this week.
At 5 p.m. it was warm and humid enough to leave a person breathless
after just a few minutes outside. However, at 903 Broadway Street in
Lincoln, Klarissa Helton appeared cool as a cucumber as she finally
snipped the ribbon on her new business, standing outside the front
door in the sweltering heat. It had been a long time coming for the
21-year-old who has known for numerous years what her purpose in
life would be and determined that she would achieve that purpose no
matter what. The no matter what came with a one-year delay when she
had to stop working on her business and business plan to recover
from a leg injury.
But at last, this spring, the doors to Modern Looks and Wellness Spa
were opened, and Helton saw her vision become reality.
In celebration of her accomplishment a
large crowd gathered on Wednesday evening, many of the people were
friends and family there to support Helton as she snipped that
ribbon.
Modern Looks and Wellness is located in the former Townhouse Salon.
Before opening the doors, there was quite a bit of work to do in the
interior of the building to match Klarissa’s modern and youthful
personality.
Helton spoke with LDN before the ribbon cutting, and she said that
the support she had from family and friends kept her going through
the entire process. She noted that her dad, Pete Helton, had been a
big supporter and done a lot inside the building. She said she
worked beside him and the crew and learned about dry wall and
painting and was grateful for not only what her dad did for her, but
what he taught her along the way.
Helton’s sisters Kendall and Kaitlyn
contributed to her vision. She said her sisters were creative, saw
her vision and helped her to achieve it. She also gave kudos to a
good friend and supporter Annie Coers who had been encouraging
throughout the process and helped her keep moving forward.
At 21 years old, Helton acknowledges that she is pretty young to be
going into business ownership, but at the same time her decision to
do so was not made hastily. She has known for quite some time who
she was and who she wanted to be.
She recalls her motivation came from witnessing, and even
experiencing, embarrassment in high end salons and spas. Helton says
that just because a person’s personal style may not be on the trend,
that person still has the right to feel special and to leave a spa
feeling good about themselves. She wanted to establish a business
where each client does feel special, feels beautiful in their own
right, and leaves feeling really good about themselves no matter
what their self-perceived imperfections may be.
At Modern Looks and Wellness Spa, Helton offers a wide variety of
services ranging from hair and nails to facials, massages, and hydro
tub therapy. She offers a service called Head Spa that she says is
luscious and invigorating for the hair and scalp. She explained that
using special products and massage, the scalp is exfoliated and
energized while hair is treated with extra nourishment and
conditioning.
Helton said she offers all natural products in her shop so guests
receive healthy hair and body treatments and can stock up on
supplies so they can maintain that healthy hair and body treatment
between visits.
Working for Helton in the salon is Elena White who offers complete
nail services. The hydro tub is a soak in a jetted tub with
hydrogenated water that helps ease the aches and pains of the day
and leaves the body invigorated.
With all the services offered, a guest can take advantage of
head-to-toe pampering and leave the salon feeling like a million
bucks.
Helton said that there is quite a bit of special training that goes
into the services she offers. She has taken multiple courses to
provide her clients with top quality care.
On Wednesday, the interior of the shop was wall to wall people there
to show support for Helton. At 5 p.m. the large group moved outside
for a very quick ribbon cutting event. Holding the ribbon for the
event were Karen Castelein and Joli Boerma Crane with Lincoln Daily
News.
Behind the ribbon Klarissa’s parents,
Pete Helton and Kristen Janssen, flanked her on one side with her
nail specialist Elena White on the other. Additional guests standing
behind the ribbon included Lincoln Ward 3 Alderman Dennis Clemmons,
Annie Coers, Lincoln City Clerk Peggy Bateman, and Lincoln Mayor
Pro-Tem and Ward 3 Alderman Kevin Bateman.
Kevin Bateman was asked to address the crowd on behalf of the city
of Lincoln and Mayor Tracy Welch who was absent due to a death in
his immediate family.
Bateman began by saying that he was
thrilled to see a new business in Lincoln, especially seeing as how
it was located in his ward. He recalled that the little house turned
salon had been the home of the Townhouse Salon for a long time, so
it was good that the building was once again being put to use
instead of being allowed to decay. Bateman congratulated Helton and
wished her much success in the future.
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Annie Coers was asked to speak. She
said that she was very proud of Helton for her commitment to her
vision. She noted that there had been a few times when Helton had
felt a bit defeated, but that her friends and family had nudged her
and encouraged her until she got back up again.
Alderman Clemmons spoke briefly saying
he too appreciated a new business in his ward and he wished Helton
the best.
Asked if her parents would like to
speak, Pete Helton said with a large laugh, “Just glad it’s done!”
Elena White was asked if she wanted to
say anything. She said she was really proud of Klarissa and what she
had accomplished. She looked forward to continuing into the future
with Modern Looks and Wellness Spa.
The last person to speak was Helton
who said she was appreciative of everyone who had come to make her
day special. She wanted to thank all those who had helped her,
supported her vision, and kept her pushing forward throughout the
process.
With speeches concluded, Helton raised
the scissors for the posed cut, then the crowd assisted with the
count down and Helton snipped the ribbon on her new business.
All guests were invited back inside
for refreshments including cold beverages, hot dogs, chips, and
cookies.
Modern Looks and Wellness Spa is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 4
p.m. and the spa is closed on Wednesday. Guests may make an
appointment, or walk-ins are welcome.
To make an appointment call 217-870-7606. Those interested in
learning more about the business or booking an appointment online
can visit the
website.
[Nila Smith] |
