Twenty years ago, if you had told Elton and Heather Joseph that one day they would own and operate a successful hair salon in smalltown British Columbia, they very likely would have laughed out loud.
The Fiji-born father of four had initially set out to become a teacher but, instead, discovered he had a natural talent for hair styling. He ended up studying cosmetology at Malaspina College (now Vancouver Island University) in Nanaimo, where he met Heather.
She became his wife and business partner, and is a nationally published hair stylist.
The couple moved to the Comox Valley from Nanaimo more than a dozen years ago. They worked in several different hair establishments until realizing a dream of opening their own salon, called Indigo Lounge, on Comox Avenue in 2007.
The name Indigo was selected not only because of the Joseph鈥檚 love of the midnight blue colour, but also because of the creative and spiritual connotations of the word as it relates to inspiration, communication, self-mastery and personal insight; all of which are essential in building long-lasting client relationships.
They chose the word 鈥榣ounge鈥欌�攔ather than 鈥榮alon鈥欌�攁s an invitation to come to relax and unwind while being pampered.
鈥淥ur vision for Indigo Lounge was to create a hair salon that was truly different,鈥� explains Elton Joseph. 鈥淲e pictured a modern ambience but still wanted it to feel like part of the community of Comox by the Sea. And we wanted to be sure that it would be comfortable and welcoming for all people, regardless of age or economic status.鈥�
Today鈥檚 well-established hair salon has over 2,000 guests. The fact that Indigo Lounge is now celebrating its fifth anniversary is proof that they have achieved their goals.
Indigo Lounge is tucked on the side entrance of the 鈥榖uilding with the boats鈥� at Suite 103B, 1705 Comox Ave.
The d茅cor is warm and welcoming 鈥� and so is Cassius 鈥� the Joseph鈥檚 four-year-old boxer/rottweiler cross dog who acts as the salon鈥檚 official greeter!
The six stylists (including Heather and Elton) who work 鈥榯he Lounge鈥� and escort guests to a spa-inspired private hair washing station, where the aroma of essential oils and the sound of nature-inspired melodies help people relax while they enjoy organic-based hair treatments.
Those customers who want to colour their hair are invited to the colour bar, to watch as their stylist mixes the product much like a bartender mixes drinks. It is an interactive and upscale, yet surprisingly homey atmosphere, offering everything from 鈥榳ash and wear鈥� hair cuts to 鈥榬ed carpet treatments,鈥� as well as an extensive line of vegan, cruelty-free hair care products from Unite and Onesta.
鈥淲e are thrilled with the support we have received from the people of the Comox Valley and we are excited to celebrate our fifth anniversary with an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, August 3,鈥� says Elton.
鈥淗eather and I, along with our staff, Daniell Corcoran, Sonya Slovack, Laura Morgan and Daina Arcond, welcome our current and prospective clients, their friends and families to join us for an afternoon of entertainment, appetizers, door prizes and more. Everyone is welcome.鈥�
For more information, call Indigo Lounge at 250-339-0500, visit Indigo Lounge at 103B 鈥� 1705 Comox Ave. in Comox or follow them on Facebook.
鈥� Indigo Lounge
