“Where perfection becomes reality,” what a goal. When it come to a new hairstyle, a great blowout, or amazing products for our locks we strive for the very best. We want our stylists to be expertly trained, “up” on all the latest trends and styles and supremely knowledgeable about coloring. Our spa technicians should possess that “it” quality that calls you to relax and take care of yourself. The salon and spa atmosphere both must be beautiful; after all, why spend the time and nervous anticipation beforehand to be in a setting that doesn’t beckon your best. And your stylist? Besides your parent, or maybe the president of the United States and possibly your doctor, who do you need to trust more than your favorite person at the hair salon? Really, ladies and gentlemen, I defy you to name someone who means more to your everyday appearance and self-image. At Elements Hair Studio & Spa, “where perfection becomes reality,” is a way of life. Their expert stylists are ready to be “your” people.
Since 2005, Elements Hair Studio & Spa has been a relaxing haven for hundreds of clients. They know when they walk in the door they will be met by a friendly, knowledgeable staff member ready to make dreams and transformations happen. Specializing in “all things hair,” you can rest assured that your wild mane or timid tresses are in the best of hands, without any anxiety before or after a new cut or style. And if you are considering an out-of-the-box color change, their colorists and stylists will make sure they discuss all the options that are best for your features, hair type and end desires. If you are looking for a friendly salon, providing high-end hair services without breaking the bank, Elements Hair Studio & Spa is for you.
What is better than getting a new doo while interacting with friendly people? What if the salon is in the convenient Swift Road area and has a spa like setting which is gorgeous? Yes, I know, this is all sounding better. And, complementary coffee, beer, wine and soda are offered, right along with their free Wi-Fi. Hurry on, now, you know you have been clamoring for a new look, or maybe you just haven’t found the right hair salon yet. There is more than a good chance you will connect with one of the great stylists at Elements Hair Studio & Spa, “where perfection becomes reality.
For Elements owner, Julie Rietz, IBE has been a wonderful pairing. While growing her business she has been able to put aside necessary funds for moves and expansions by letting IBE take care of things around the salon. For electrical issues, plumbers, other housekeeping items, and even laser hair removal, IBE has been an absolute money-saving guru for Julie and her staff. And thanks to bartering, Julie has been able to go on exciting fishing charter trips. As Julie explains, “Through IBE, clients have become more like family.”
With 17 years’ experience behind him, architectural salvage comes second nature to Jesse White. As he describes it, every item he saves or reclaims is “born from love of keeping historical materials from being demolished.” Wildly popular with millennials keen on doing their part to reuse items and not add to the planet’s garbage dumps, “upcycling” is the home decorating trend of this generation. Similarly, baby boomers enjoy reengaging with items from their past, so they are fully immersed in the salvage game. Television programs like “American Pickers” make it very hip to discover dusty old finds in the back of some old barn and have spun off a variety of other like-minded series. But for residents there is just one name synonymous with quality repurposing. Sarasota Architectural Salvage is the place to visit if you want to salvage, repurpose, upcycle, or just want to see some cool old items.
The mission of Jesse and his team at Sarasota Architectural Salvage is multi-faceted and serves the community, along with the planet, in several ways. With an eye for seeing something in a larger context, Jesse can look at an old building ready for demolition and determine dozens of uses for the materials that have gone into creating it. He cannot stand to see anything wasted and has built a solid reputation on locating buildings slated for demolition. In the process of salvaging everything from windows to doorframes and switch plates, he also gets to preserve a little bit of history.
Who purchases the items found at Sarasota Architectural Salvage? The answer is everyday consumers looking to furnish their homes with authentic period pieces and flippers and contractors wanting to lessen their carbon footprints on the planet. But it doesn’t stop there. Businesses looking to set an example on recycling will often come to Sarasota Architectural Salvage for a variety of items, from upcycles desks that used to be doors, to barn hooks that now serve as a custom coatrack. As Jesse explains, “We look for the good bones of an old house and often find cypress and other wood elements that can be transformed into an exquisite piece of furniture.”
When it comes to IBE, Jesse describes his time with the organization as a “really good experience.” He goes on to say, “It feels like you are a part of a family of businesses and I really enjoy that.” Since Jesse engages in a Buy Local Pledge, working within the IBE network goes right along with that. “IBE has been an absolutely perfect match and has also brought in add-on business.” Recently, Golden Vision, a fellow IBE member, challenged Sarasota Architectural Salvage to create a custom piece for the office. All through the money-saving magic of bartering, Golden Vision was able to procure beautiful old windows that have been transformed into one-of-a-kind very chic display cases for their high-end eyewear. And Jesse is always excited to meet new IBE Clients. “There is something about a barter customer walking in; it is as if they are already a friend.”
Sarasota Architectural Salvage has two locations, in both Lakewood Ranch and Downtown Sarasota. Please visit https://www.sarasotasalvage.com/ for more information.
Remember when your healthcare visits were not so rushed, and you had the opportunity to interact with an actual physician? Some of the sagest advice that has been written is to find a doctor who is of a similar age, that way you can grow old together and won’t have to worry about switching medical care later in life. But in today’s healthcare systems, that is somewhat difficult, if not entirely impossible. Though a bit of a relic in an industry that favors quick, in-and-out treatments with an intern or nurse practitioner. For the past 45 years, Dr. Ron Doctor, optometric physician has been that consistent and professional advocate of his patients, pleasing his clients with the amount of time he personally spends on them. As he likes to say, “My process may be slow growing since I spend a lot of time with my patients, but I always have a great conscience.”
When Dr. Ron, as he is frequently called, discusses the secret to longevity in a growing profession and industry where consumers can be shopping at Walmart and in the same building, pop in for an eye exam, he credits good, old-fashioned service. For him, there is but one word that he would use to describe what he had to do to achieve this level of success: Honesty. His thorough examinations well thought out and designed waiting rooms and surgical areas and professional and dedicated staff have built a reputation on that one word- yes, honesty. Being privy to the most state-of-the-art technologies and having an extremely esteemed professional background does not hurt. Add in a calming and bright office and there is your recipe for success.
Whether your optical needs range from requiring glasses or contacts, Dr. Ron is the go-to guy. In many cases he is now treating second and even third generation patients. Coming in to see Dr. Ron is always a pleasant and helpful experience so referring him to family and friends is quite common. He is a Laser Vision and Cataract Implant Associate, offering same day appointments for routine and emergency eyecare. Dr. Ron is known for taking a seemingly difficult medical situation and turning it around in favor of the patient, all with patient explanations given and a fair price charged in the end. And the follow up? Second to none, when it comes to the care and time given by the kind and caring staff of Dr. Ron Doctor, Board Certified Optometric Physician.
Dr. Ron credits IBE as an asset to the business he has grown for the past four-plus decades. He is proud of the fact that he was one of the founding members; number 22 as he recalls. Over the years, Dr. Ron and his staff have used IBE for everything from office services including carpet and general cleaning to having things repaired around the home, like the A/C and electrical issues. He says the other members seem to share the same passion for fair-minded, easy bartering. As Dr. Ron explains, “I have used it all of these years because I have found it to be truly beneficial in a variety of ways around the home and office.” Dr. Ron goes on to say that like the extra care he provides his clients, he feels that IBE has become a reliable, trusted business partner.
