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Tanika Adams and her mother, Dorothy, have opened Spa Lenore at 120 Victoria Street.
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Jim Fair
Jim Fair
“Before we even made our decision Alan (Fore, property owner) said he had already taken the sign out of the window.” Tanika Adams said.
Spa Lenore, at 120 Victoria Street, is open for business offering Epicuren massage, facials, body treatments and custom mani/pedi’s. A menu of spa services includes cosmetology and nail, and signature baths plus other features for men and women.
The spa's name comes from Samantha's middle name, Lenore, "Because it was unique, and carried the class and elegance of our spa," Tanika said.
The spa is offering specials that will continue through its grand opening scheduled Saturday, March 22.
There are men and women locker rooms that have unlimited use of steam rooms.
Don’t expect nail drills to be used, “Because we only do acrylic and gel. Someone used a nail drill on my mother and she didn’t like that,” Tanika said. In fact, it was Lenore’s interest in learning about nail technology that led to mother and daughter becoming business partners.
“It’s great to have a family business. It’s a bundle of excitement and just the curiosity of going for it is an awesome feeling,” Tanika said.
The family lived and worked in Woodruff and had been exploring the upstate for a building that had equipment and space that was spa oriented. “We wanted to find a location in Greer. This has worked out perfectly. A lot of our clients in Woodruff will travel shorter distances to come to Greer,” Tanika said.
The final decision was made through “prayer and faith”, Tanika said.
As Tanika was working her way toward a degree in economics at the University of South Carolina, she confided in her mother just months before receiving her diploma, that she was more interested in learning nail technology.
“You can guess I asked why did we spend all that money?” Lenore said with a laugh. “I told her to do whatever made her happy.”
It wasn’t a whim that drove Tanika to owning a spa. “My mother was a single mom with three young daughters and she worked in a salon. She left a job with guaranteed money and went to school to learn nail technology,” Tanika said. “I appreciate growing up in a salon where I learned a lot about people through my mom. She always managed to take time for her daughters.”
The business courses are not for naught. “We have a business model we are following, I know about accounting and do all our own marketing,” Tanika said. However, there are tricks of the trade that aren’t covered in books. “It’s very hard here.”
Erin Williams first met Tanika at her mother's salon in Woodruff and hired Tanika to work as an intern at Perry J. Williams, Inc.
“Erin (Williams) is the greatest mentor I ever had,” Tanika said. “She’s an awesome person and mentor and gave me pointers, pro and con, getting into business.”
Erin deflected Tanika’s adulation. “Tanika is a very smart person and she is a go-getter,” Erin said. “When in college, kids don’t really know much on taxation and I showed her a few things.”
Erin also showed Tanika how to process international financial transactions. “(Tanika) is going to do something with her life. It’s not known what yet, but she will.”
Tanika said her hiring process is no different than any other business wanting to succeed. “We want people to know nail technology and we are looking for hires who are vibrant and personable and enjoy working around people. We work in a spa – it’s all about a customer’s experience.
“We cater to people who like to pamper themselves. You want to them to like the way you like to feel,” Tanika said.
And with that said. Tanika said she was going to enjoy the luxury of a massage Thursday before the weekend. “It’s like any business, we don’t take time out for ourselves.”
Spa Lenore
120 Victoria Street
864-469-3273
Specials
Hour massage, $49.99.
Lenore Signature Bath, $40.
Hiring
Licensed cosmetologist, and nail technicians. Open interviews Monday March 10 2:30 – 6 p.m. and Wednesday, March 12 2:30 - 6:30 p.m. Bring a resume and copy of license.