Kathy Jennings wanted to parlay her experience with salon and spa services into her own business. But she needed a partner.

Jennings turned to a client, Traci Shelmon, who has a background in interior design and nursing.

The result of their partnership is Element Salon-Spa, which opened earlier this month in Town Square retail center in West Lafayette.

“The last two years, the location I worked at — I had some ideas of my own. They did not want to take the business in the way I wanted,” said Jennings. “We have 16 work stations, two massage rooms, two facial rooms. We also have three pedicure and three nail stations.”

The business has 30 employees and a commitment to going green.

“We’re environmentally friendly and do total recycling with color bottles and boxes. We have a recycling bin instead of a trash bin,” said Jennings. “Bottles of shampoo and conditioner that we sell, when clients bring back the empty bottle they get 10 percent off on a refill.”

New clients get a complimentary paraffin hand dip and a makeup touchover, valued at $40. Repeat clients also receive complimentary services.

BUSINESS NAME

Element Salon-Spa

LOCATION

925 Sagamore Parkway W., West Lafayette, IN

ABOUT THE BUSINESS

Employees have been handing out gift certificates at many West Lafayette businesses, and Shelmon is coordinating those efforts along with plans for an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. June 3, with a ribbon cutting scheduled for noon.

“It was right up my alley,” she said. “I used to do events coordination. I’ll be doing all of our events stuff.”

HOURS

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

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