Young entrep opens organic-based salon

CEBU, Philippines - The growing demand for health-friendly products has not only provide opportunity for food related business, but also to vanity sector to take advantage and offer organic or chemical-free beauty products.

Young entrepreneur Regal Mendoza Oliva opened the first organic-based salon in Cebu called Nouveau Salon and Spa (Nouveau) at the second floor of the The Walk, Asiatown IT Park, Lahug, this city.

Although, the salon’s products do not exclusively offer all-organic beauty and vanity products, it pushes to promote the use of organic-based hair-care and spa products as the salon’s niche.

Operated by Cebu-grown One Regal Concepts and Innovations Inc., Oliva said he is planning to duplicate the number of this specialty salon in metropolis, as well as major cities in the country.

“Cebu has become a growing hub not just for information technology and tourism but also for beauty, health and wellness. Over the years, many Cebuanos are looking for more sophisticated beauty salons that cater to their highly increasing classy lifestyle,” said Oliva.

The trend of the market is shifting towards the use of organic goods and so we are also strongly advocating the use of organic products in our hair treatment services,” Oliva added.

Initially targeting the over 13 thousand BPO employees working within the IT Park, Oliva is confident that the salon will gain popularity in the next few months, as it pioneers the strong promotion of organic salon trend in Cebu.

The salon and spa carries a French-inspired theme, described to be “sophisticated and chic,” which was designed by internationally acclaimed interior designer Buck Sia.

“France is the world’s fashion capital. With the salon, we hope to bring their latest grooming trend in terms of French-style haircuts, hair coloring, straightening, and others, with the help of our professionally-trained hair stylists,” Oliva said.

The spa, on the other hand, was incorporated to provide a “one-stop” shop for all customers who need complete pampering.

Nouveau is the first salon opened in the cyberpark. Although it is positioned as sophisticated beauty and wellness center, Oliva said the salon’s service charges are designed to attract the “budget-friendly” customers, especially the BPO workers.

The opening of Nouveau Salon and Spa in Cebu re-enforced the province’s bid becoming a premier health and wellness destination in the Philippines.

“We hope that by opening a sophisticated salon like Nouveau, we are able to contribute to Cebu’s positioning as the beauty, health and wellness capital of Asia,” Oliva said.

In order to create more presence in the local industry, Oliva bared plans of becoming “lifestyle partners” with BPO companies like Convergys, E-telecare, Sykes Asia, among others, providing discounts to their employees.—Ehda M. Dagooc