Karrouze celebrates by expanding

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This article was published 17/12/2016 (3262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pride. I can honestly say that after speaking with more than four dozen business owners this past year, the one thing that stands out is that they are all really proud of their accomplishments and the businesses they’ve created. This is especially true of Mo Karrouze.

Karrouze is the proud owner of two businesses —Hairistocracy, a busy hair salon in Brandon, and now the new Tranquility Spa. Even though this entrepreneur could be entertaining the possibility of retirement, he has decided instead to expand his operations.

“It’s kind of a celebration for being in business for 25 years, it’s a celebration for me and a celebration for my clients. It will be part of my legacy,” Karrouze said.

The new spa features esthetician Sydney Ransom, who uses a product line that is unique to this region called [comfort zone], which comes from Italy and is from the skin care division of Davines Group — the product line that is used in the hair salon.

“We’re an organic salon. If it’s not good for our environment, why would we put it on your hair or skin. We’ve always been very environmentally conscience,” Karrouze said.

Karrouze, Ransom and the other associates are pleased to partner with this company as its products are created with natural-origin ingredients and are free from silicones, parabens, mineral oils, artificial colours and animal derivatives. Karrouze said they didn’t actually find the product — the company found them.

“They all of a sudden invited my salon to the launch in Canada. When they started introducing their products to this part of the country, the distributor was asked to find boutique salons because it’s more of a boutique line, so they came to us. They look for salons that are in the forefront in changing the planet.”

Ransom, a recent graduate of H & Co Academy, said she thoroughly enjoys working with the product and is finding that clients are expecting products that not only work well, but that are all natural.

“It’s not fruity and doesn’t have a strong smell. It’s very natural. It is also gender-neutral, which is great because it doesn’t scare off men. Men don’t always realize how important their skin care regime is, so it’s great to have a product that appeals to them as well,” Ransom said.

Tranquility Spa offers a menu of services which include customized facials, body treatments, waxing, manicures, pedicures and eye enhancements. It is located in the building north of the hair salon and opened at the end of the summer after a complete interior and exterior renovation.

In terms of Hairistocracy, this European-inspired beauty salon was also completely renovated earlier this year. The extensive renovations included taking out a wall, redoing the flooring and lighting, adding two feature walls, one in barn board and one in stone and a new paint palette.

Karrouze has five full-time hair designers who work alongside him, two of whom are his daughters, Meghan and Jenna.

He said that all four of his daughters grew up in the salon, so it was exciting when two of them chose to join the family business.

After purchasing the two buildings 14 years ago, Karrouze moved the hair salon to the building right on Princess Avenue and until opening the spa had two apartments in the house next door. But he still has plans for further expansion.

“There’s an apartment adjacent to the salon, so eventually I’d like to have a small school here someday to teach our techniques. I started at Vidal Sassoon in London, I worked at Alan Spiers of Berkeley Square and Antonio’s in New York City for a number of years. I learned from those amazing people and all the stylists around me, so I have a strict code of ethics when it comes to cutting and colouring. Everyone who works here has done their apprenticeship with me and I’d like to share our techniques with others,” Karrouze said.

“This is my art. I don’t look at it as a job.”

You can find Hairistocracy and Tranquility Spa at 2103 Princess Ave. or call 204-728-4800.