Wine tasting, fashion show fundraiser to benefit Gifts of Love

AVON – Janina Cummings is getting ready to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her business, Shear Artistry Day Spa & Salon in Riverdale Farms, at a Nov. 7 wine tasting and fashion show fundraiser benefiting Gifts of Love. In doing so, she can’t help but think back on the past two decades and the factors that have contributed to her successful enterprise.

Cummings previously owned a hair business in Simsbury, where she also offered manicures, pedicures and massage. Then 20 years ago she became an innovator as the first in the Farmington Valley to offer wellness services.

“We were the first day spa in the area,” she said. “I started out having a doctor working with us at the spa, meeting clients for consultations, and prescribing medical grade retinol or glycolic body treatments. She provided us with the education and the products.”

Since opening Shear Artistry, Cummings has diversified her services. They now include a variety of massages, therapeutic facials, stone therapy, detoxifying or aromatherapy body treatments, and mud or seaweed wraps.

Day spa packages include a choice of spa services, salon services and lunch. The Ultimate Day at the Spa has it all: Full body massage, therapeutic facial, detoxifying or aromatherapy body treatment, spa pedicure, custom-designed haircut, and lunch. An instructional make-up makeover is optional and an extra charge.

For aromatherapy, Cummings uses natural herbal products such as rosemary, sage and seaweed.

“I made the decision 20 years ago to use all quality ingredients, no chemicals,” she said. “I look for products that help a person’s well-being. I have a passion to help people not just look better, but also feel better.”

To stay on top of current trends in styles, techniques and products Cummings constantly conducts research and attends conferences. For example, she became educated on Walla Professionals’ new product, Color.id, and has introduced it at her salon.

“Color can be placed next to color without bleeding,” she said. “We don’t use foil. We paint colors on the hair.”

She also makes sure her staff is properly educated by sending them to classes or having experts come to Shear Artistry. She often has stylists from Sebastian come to the salon to teach about the trends of celebrities and models.

That’s all part of what makes her business survive in the current economy, she said.

“I don’t give up on quality in products or service. That’s what makes a difference for our clients.” Cummings said. “I have a good staff and we believe in being positive. We respond to customers’ schedules and change with the times.”

They also customize a client’s services to support “who they are,” she said.

For instance, Baby Boomer clients are taking their older lives seriously by working out, watching their diet and taking care of themselves, including their appearance.

“They’re a generation who wants to look younger longer,” she said. “They take care of their skin to make sure there’s no pigmentation, get body treatments and salon services here. We call them 50 – or 60 – and fabulous.”

Shear Artistry serves many younger women who have families and are working or taking classes for a degree.

“They come in to unwind and for services that makes them look and feel better,” Cummings said. “Our day spa packages include Magic Makeover Day, The Executive Escape, and New Mom’s Day.”

She knows how it feels to be a working mother. When she opened Shear Artistry, her two daughters were small children.

Cummings said their clientele is also welcoming to men. Some come in for hair cuts and others for spa services. Their “For Him” package includes a full body massage, scalp and neck treatment, therapeutic facial, spa manicure, and a custom-designed haircut. Lunch is optional and an extra charge.

Regardless of a client’s age or gender, a visit to Shear Artistry is beneficial to all.

“Coming to the spa and salon lessens their stress, relaxes and rejuvenates them, and makes their lives healthier and happier,” Cummings said. “It’s like finding the fountain of youth.”

She sees herself as a role model for her staff members and customers. She aims to stay fit and fashionable while balancing her professional and personal lives.

Beyond her career, she keeps busy with activities such as hiking, biking, skiing and sailing. She is also involved in the community and with charitable endeavors. A member of the Avon Chamber of Commerce, she co-chairs its education committee.

Education is important to Cummings and she is grateful that her family moved from Poland to the U.S. to give her that opportunity. She was 16 at the time, and already knew at that age that she wanted to have her own business one day.

“Now I’m a woman’s voice in small business,” Cummings said.

She hopes for a good turnout at her fundraiser, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Building 9 at Riverdale Farms, 152 Simsbury Road, Avon. It is a benefit for Gifts of Love, an Avon-based non-profit agency that provides basic needs to people in the Greater Hartford area who are facing a short-term crisis.

“The community has been so good to me and my success and it’s important to me to give back,” Cummings said.

For the admission price of $20, patrons will enjoy French, Spanish and Italian wines from Traveling Vineyard and Super Cellars Warehouse Liquors, along with food provided by restaurants in Riverdale Farms. Music for listening and dancing will be provided by DJ Greg T, and the fashion show will feature clothing from Stars of Avon and Bodytalk.

To RSVP, e-mail jcski1250@yahoo.com or call either 860-212-8269 or 860-676-9667. For information, visit www.shearartistrydayspa.com.