By Kim Taylor, owner and stylist

I’ve been a busy bee my whole life. I always have something brewing and a list of what’s next. Between career, family, school activities, doctor’s appointments, etc. I am swamped. I love to be busy and I am happy in my life, but I AM TIRED. Sometimes I need a little time to myself to unwind and put things in perspective. Sometimes I just need to relax and rediscover my peace with the world. But it’s hard. I expect a lot out of myself and I hate to let anyone down. It’s an unrealistic expectation, but I try. Sound familiar? Of course, it does! We’ve evolved into a society where accomplishing more in less time with greater results has become the “norm”, and while each one of us is unique, we are all very similar in this particular way.

When I opened Essence in 2011, my goal was to take care of people in a way that would encourage and assist them in taking care of themselves. I believe that our most significant responsibility in life is to be good to each other. However, one can only carry that mantra so far if they are not also being good to themselves. It’s really hard to give our best to someone when we are running on empty.

I realize that this issue is complicated, finding time for one’s self is difficult and committing to it can feel more stressful than relaxing. I have learned over the years that no matter how busy I am or how guilty I allow myself to feel, I never regret taking time for myself once I do it. I return to my crazy existence ready and eager to continue giving my best to the world because I am cultivating the best in myself.

I know from experience that nights alone and weekends away are not always practical. Oftentimes an hour or two away from our hectic lives is all we need to feel rejuvenated. From the moment you step through our door, you are our priority. Our purpose is to give you the time, attention, and relaxation that you need and deserve.

We believe everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. One of the most basic ways that we do this is by offering beverages and small snacks. We always have refreshing iced tea and water as well as gourmet hot tea and coffee when you want something cozy and warm. We also offer Chex mix and pretzels in case you need a little snack to sustain you.

We pride ourselves on listening to your needs and do our very best to meet them. If you are cold, we can provide a warm neck wrap to take the chill off, or perhaps you would enjoy a nice warm paraffin hand treatment added to your service? We never require you to remove your shoes in the salon, but if your toes are cold and wet on a winter’s day, we’re happy to loan you a pair of cozy socks to warm your toes during your stay with us!

Our spa services have been carefully crafted to deliver relaxation and results simultaneously. The staff in our spa is well trained, experienced, and talented. Every service we offer is designed to be customized to your needs. If you have a special request, just ask your service provider and we will do our best to accommodate.

We have learned a lot over the past 6 years. Each day brings us a new opportunity to do a better job for our clients. As we grow, we are faced with new challenges. In an effort to address a few of the more pressing issues that have come to our attention, we have implemented policies within the salon and spa that help to ensure your quiet and peaceful enjoyment.

Fairly recently, we implemented a policy in which children under the age of 13 are welcome in the salon and spa by appointment only. Furthermore, we maintain an expectation of good behavior during their appointment. We ask that parents commit to and indulge in the rare treat of time to themselves by arranging for childcare during their appointments. This is all done with our best intention to preserve an enjoyable experience for all.

We try to be considerate of all of our clients by avoiding controversial and potentially upsetting topics of conversation. We appreciate that everyone is entitled to their beliefs and see value in sharing those beliefs in the right setting and under the right circumstances. However, we have seen how upsetting and emotional some topics can be and make an effort to chat about things that don’t ruffle feathers and interfere with one’s ability to relax and unwind.

We do our best to maintain a relaxing feel in our hair salon, but oftentimes it is very busy, and in turn it can be a bit noisy. We encourage all of our clients to schedule a relaxing spa service in addition to their hair appointments; a massage and/or facial does the trick nicely. We offer massage and facials in thirty, sixty, and ninety-minute increments so you can relax in spite of your busy schedule.

The bottom line is that we all need and deserve a break from time to time. We are happiest when we make ourselves a priority in our own busy lives. Perhaps the best part though, is that the people who matter so much to us benefit from the wonderful gifts of love, patience, and compassion that are unlocked when we are feeling refreshed and valuable.