Pulse March / April 2016 | Page 40

Tallgrass Aveda Spa & Salon Evergreen, Colorado F M ew spas are in a better position to give back to their community than Tallgrass Aveda Spa & Salon in Evergreen, Colorado. The spa celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2015, and in that time has gone from five employees to 70, making it the third largest employer in Clear Creek County. From breast cancer awareness campaigns to providing funds and services to a local battered women’s shelter, Tallgrass has always had a focus on philanthropy. Its support of women in the military and its association with Women’s Veterans of Colorado already stretches back at least seven years. From an initial campaign to send care packages to women serving in Afghanistan to the current, much more handson work, Tallgrass has been an active and appreciated member of Colorado’s extended military family. “We expanded our celebration of women soldiers by donating hair and makeup services for military women who were having LinkedIn and resume photos taken at the Women’s Veteran of Colorado Conference in September,” says Tallgrass spa owner and founder Gail Ridings. “We were so well-received, met so many amazing women and really felt that we were making a difference by helping the military women look and feel better.” Tallgrass’ celebration of women in the military continued throughout last year with a giveaway of spa treatments to women in the military—whether on active duty, reserves or retired— during the week prior to Veteran’s Day. The spa also gave “extreme makeovers” to four military women who spa staff met at the annual Women Veteran’s Veteran of Colorado annual conference. Ridings believes that Tallgrass’ commitment to philanthropy and to giving back to its community has been a crucial element in its business growth. “We believe that our commitment to philanthropy is one of their deciding factors in choosing to patronize Tallgrass,” she says. “We send a monthly e-newsletter reporting on our efforts, publish a philanthropy report on our website each year, enjoy enthusiastic coverage by the local print and digital media and have signage in the spa asking for our customer’s participation. And they respond positively.” Tallgrass proves that actively engaging in philanthropic efforts on a regular basis is not an impediment to business growth. On the contrary, it can act as a catalyst to bring new business in and to inspire existing customers. TOP TIP: “Encourage staff and guests to participate in philanthropic efforts, so always become involved with organizations that mean a lot to the people your business relies upon. We are very fortunate to love our jobs and make a comfortable living. We believe our mission is to ‘awe and inspire’ each other and everyone we touch.” 38 PULSE ■ March/April 2016