Beauty From the Soul
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EDUCATION DIRECTOR GARRETT, SALON AND COLOR DIRECTOR HEIDI DOWNUM FISHER, AND SALON COORDINATOR LISA LUNSFORD HEAD A TEAM OF BEAUTY EXPERTS AT PARIS PARKER SALON.
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Paris Parker Salon (4900 Prytania St., 891-8874; Aveda Lifestyle Store,
3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Lakeside Shopping Center, Metairie, 846-5256)
maintains heady business and philosophical goals of almost tripling the
company's outlets in the next three years and, equally important, making a
difference in the life of every customer who visits.
A division of Hammond-based Neill Corp., the largest distributor of
Aveda botanical products in the world, Paris Parker promotes the parent
company's attitude that improving an individual's personal environment, inside
and out, can make a positive difference in the world.
"Our intention is to create a new standard in New Orleans around
beauty, fashion and wellness," says Heidi Downum Fisher, salon director
and color director at the 3-month-old Paris Parker Salon on the corner of
Prytania and Upperline streets. "We want to use our talents and resources to
touch people in a positive way, thus constantly striving to make our vision a
reality."
Fulfilling that vision starts the moment a customer enters Paris
Parker and is met with the aromatic smells of the botanical products they sell
in the sunny showroom. The staff immediately offers up libations from the
coffee, organic tea and juice bar before a customer settles in for a haircut,
color or styling, facial, manicure, pedicure, makeup application, massage
therapy and more. Even haircuts are preceded by a stress-relief massage. Beyond
hair and spa services, Paris Parker also employs makeup artist Gina Miller,
whose decade of experience includes fashion shows and bridal parties.
"My first and foremost goal is customer bliss -- from the moment
they come in to the moment they leave," says Lisa Lunsford, salon
coordinator. "It's about a full experience. It's your time to be pampered. We
really believe in building relationships. It's not just about coming in for a
cut and color, but that you want to come back."
The philosophy that the core strength of a company lies in the
happiness, health and well-being of its employees is one forwarded by the Paris
Parker team and the salon's parent company. Garrett, a hair designer and
director of education at Paris Parker says his design team of Stacie Spiers,
Chris Guidry, Nicole Hopper and Jonathan Baxter and the color team of Fisher,
Lisa Allison, Rebecca Watson, Jennifer Barker and Patty Toledo undergo weekly
training sessions where they discuss constantly evolving beauty techniques,
market trends, teamwork, technology and specialization. The purpose, Garrett
says, not only is to stay abreast of what is happening in the beauty industry
but also to hone the skills and develop healthy attitudes in workers.
"In this ever-changing industry, staff training is not a luxury,
but a necessity," says Garrett, whose goal is to ensure a customer gets
consistent and admirable results regardless of who administers the services."
The days of the primadonna superstar hairdresser are gone. It's all about
teamwork now; it's not about ego. We want to create a company of
superstars."
The attitude that each person can make a difference is central to
Paris Parker and Neill Corp.'s dealings with their own staff and the people
they serve. Paris Parker workers not only volunteer with the Ladies Leukemia
League, the salon also displays the artworks of Martin Laborde, a local artist
who has dedicated a portion of proceeds from sales of his prints to Children's
Hospital.
"Our purpose is healing the planet one person at a time," says
Fisher, who indicates the business hopes to expand from its seven salons in
Louisiana to 20 stores in the next three years. "Our definition of harmony is
inner and outer connectedness. We strive to provide this to our clients as well
as our staff. By creating awareness and sharing our visions, we are truly in
alignment to provide transformational experiences for our customers.
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