Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Hameister.
Carol, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My first spa was founded in 2006 as “Internal/External Esthetics” located on Roosevelt road in Wheaton.
In 2010, we re-branded as “Stolen Moments Spa,” located on Front street in Wheaton, tucked away in a beautiful house above Edward Jones Finance.
In 2015, we decided to follow my vision of a Wellness/Waxing Center, and rebranded into “Stolen Moments Centre & Parisian Waxing” finding our home in the Freedom Commons Retail Center, Naperville, Illinois, off I-88. Directly across the parking lot from White Chocolate grill and Morton’s Steak House.
Stolen Moments Centre & Parisian Waxing is a French-themed spa that is a combination of a Wellness/Day Spa and exclusive French hard-wax waxing center that our clients have deemed the “Beverly Hills of NapervilleSM.”
There is not another wellness spa and waxing center “combination business” in all of Chicago’s Western suburbs.
Stolen Moments has built a beautiful wellness and waxing center. If you were to speak to our core clientele, or look on Yelp (where we have a five out of five star rating) or at our Facebook reviews, the common thread is our spa’s exceptional caring for our clients, the time we spend educating them and becoming their trusted advisors, outstanding customer service, and our expertise in our fields. Stolen Moments knows full well that it takes a village to create what we have done in Naperville. We do that by giving our spa team great respect, artistic license, and an incredible place to call home.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would say building Stolen Moments from the ground floor up… it was just an empty space, no walls, plumbing, electric, etc… We closed the doors at our Wheaton, IL location December 31st 2015, move the location over to Freedom Commons in Naperville, IL January 5th 2016 and took our first client on January 09th 2016. Whew!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Stolen Moments Centre & Parisian Waxing – what should we know?
Stolen Moments Centre & Parisian Waxing is a French-themed spa that is a combination of a Wellness/Day Spa and exclusive French Hard Waxing Center. All of the treatment rooms are individually decorated and themed to create that illusion of being somewhere else and “stealing your moment.”
We are not just another wellness spa. At Stolen Moments Centre, all treatments are customized to each individual client. There are no hidden costs. Any serums or customized masks are included in the price. We leave the “up charging” to others. Also, there is not another wellness spa and waxing center “combination business” in all of Chicago’s Western suburbs.
Through word-of-mouth, we have been able to attract like-minded therapists to join our “Stolen Moments” family at our wellness spa and waxing center. We have licensed Bodywork therapists, who specializes in manual lymphatic drainage and lymph star enhancement therapy. One of our specialists is one of 70 therapists in the USA licensed for this particular treatment, and is recommended by the Mayo Clinic, who refers their patients to us. We also have a licensed Acupuncturist and Naturopathic physician, who has her Masters in Chinese medicine. We have a certified Reflexologist instructor, and we also have massage therapists that have 5 to 15 years of experience. If you total the number of years from all therapists, we have over 90 years of experience in our spa.
Our Parisian Waxing service offers exclusively only French hard waxing services, which waxing clients like better than soft waxes because it is less painful and leaves less redness. At Stolen Moments, even with the undignified experience of a bikini wax, we have mastered a way to allow our clients who get that service to come in with their dignity and leave feeling the same way.
We have created our own private-label skincare product line called: “Moments by Carol Leigh™.” It is an all-natural botanically-based skincare product line, which is better for you and your skin than chemically manufactured products with added flowery perfumes and dyes. “Moments by Carol Leigh™” consists of botanically-based skincare products, and all-natural custom-blended mineral lipstick and lip gloss.
Clients can create their own personal, custom blended, all-natural mineral lipstick and color. No dyes, perfumes or harsh chemicals added. Remember: What we put on our lips ends up in our tummies.
WHY CUSTOM BLEND?
• Because everyone is an individual with a unique coloring, skin type, personality, lifestyle and preferences, custom blending your lip colors and formulas that are right for you only makes sense. It’s the way cosmetics should be!
• Whatever formula needs… you can add moisturizing botanicals, hydrating serums, or protective sunscreens to balance and protect the skin and lips. For a camera-ready finish, you can add mattifier and create a shine-free flawless finish that will last into the night.
• Whatever your personal style… whether you choose a natural look, soft and romantic, or a more dramatic style, as a makeup artist with your input, we have total creative freedom to design a look that enhances your natural beauty.
What makes us different?
• 90 years of experience.
• We create: Custom-blended all-natural mineral lipsticks and glosses.
• Private-label all-natural mineral products.
• Five-star Yelp and Google reviews.
• Exclusive French hard wax used exclusively.
• No hidden costs.
• Monthly VIP savings, no signups, and we take care of it for you.
• Our manual lymph drainage specialists, Sharon M. Vogel, CLT, LMT, BCTMB, LCos, BS-Nutrition, is one of 70 therapists in the USA certified for this particular treatment and is referred by Mayo Clinic.
Stolen Moments was founded in a marketplace that is fairly crowded with franchise spas and waxing centers because we saw a great opportunity to reverse the trend where clients are processed methodically without much refinement.
By bridging the divide between med spas, day spas, and waxing center franchises, Stolen Moment’s services blend the efficacy of treatments such as crystal-free microdermabrasion, manual lymph drainage, acupuncture, and reflexology with the pampering qualities of botanical-based facials.
Stolen Moments mission is to create a moment in time in which everything stops, and it all becomes about you.
Remember that if we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of those that we love. We hope you will Steal your moment today with us!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
In our first year open, 2016, we have so much to be thankful for at Stolen Moments. Here is a short recap of the year in our new home at Freedom Commons and a shout-out to thank all those that helped make it happen….
• A special thanks to my dear friend Lynn Colby and Joe Mahady, for finding the wonderful location, and their continued support.
• We closed the doors at our Wheaton location on December 31st, 2015, moved to Freedom Commons on January 5th, 2016, and took on our first client on January 9th, 2016. I truly can’t believe it! The new space is so wonderful, all in thanks to Bill Kimmerling from TMC Construction and my dear friend Jeff Bork of J & M Remodeling!
• We officially opened our doors at Freedom Commons on February 1st, 2016! I cannot thank our clients enough from Stolen Moments Spa in Wheaton, IL for taking the journey with us! You are part of the fabric that remains and keeps us growing with your referrals and support along with our new clients.
• We had our grand opening celebration at Freedom Commons on March 3rd, 2016. What a wonderful event! Thank you to Barbara’s Elegant touch for their staffing and catering service.
• We hosted our first spa night at Freedom Commons with approximately 25 of my sisters-in-crime from the Wheaton Warrenville Newcomer’s Club on April 14th, 2016. Thank you so very much for your support over the years. If you are interested in hosting a spa party or company appreciations event.
• We created a wonderful partnership and friendship with Coleen Falk, Regional Director of Sales, and Mary Ann Basso, Sales and Catering Coordinator, from the Naperville Marriott in May of 2016. For special Stolen Moments offers from the Marriott.
• And throughout the entire year by my side was Carrie McKenzie-Bush and Kim Gannon, helping me with all of my marketing efforts, which greatly helped make our launch in the new location so successful. I truly could not have done this without them!
• And, of course, we all know it takes a village! So, here’s my very sincere and heartfelt thank you to my Stolen Moment’s family—Marta, John, Sharon, Dr. Katie, Melanie, Nicole, Kinga, Karen and Nick—for their continued dedication to Stolen Moments and being everyone’s trusted advisors.
Pricing:
- All first-time Bikini, French, or Brazilian waxes are always $24.00. Hard wax used exclusively.
- 50-minute SMC Exclusive Classic Facial $79
- 20-minute SMC Exclusive Relaxation Massage $49
- 50-minute SMC Exclusive Relaxation Massage $69
- Cupping: 45-minute session, $75.00 with Dr. Katie Borchert, ND, LAc, MsOM.
- Allergies: Lymph Enhancement Therapy, four 30-minute sessions at $298.00 total (sinusitis, ear aches, and gentle face-lift).
- Combination service of Manual Lymph Drainage with the Lymph Star Enhancement Therapy. 90-minute initial consultation session required for developing treatment plan Originally $300 now 15% off for July and Aug. 30 and 60-minute session subsequent sessions available after initial consultation.
- Reflexology Session: 15% off for July and Aug. Reflexology is acupressure of the feet and hands.
Contact Info:
- Address: Stolen Moments Centre & Parisian Waxing
Freedom Commons Retail Center
1763 Freedom Drive, Suite 125
Naperville, IL 60563 - Website: http://www.stolenmomentscentre.com/
- Phone: 630-245-5500
- Email: CarolH@StolenMomentsCentre.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/StolenMomentsCentre/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StolenMomentsCentre
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/StolenMomentsIL
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stolen-moments-centre-and-parisian-waxing-naperville-2
- Other: https://www.secure-booker.com/stolenspa/MakeAppointment/Search.aspx
Image Credit:
Barry Vinyard
Nicole Rincker
Katie Steron
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