Mommy Monday:: Kim Swan, Sundae Spa LLC.

The sundae spa is a full service salon for kids. They offer haircuts, hair wraps, hair feathers, glam strands, hair extensions, body glitter tattoo’s, manicures, pedicures and facials. These are not your everyday spa treatments, everything at Sundae Spa is made to look and smell like dessert! The products used for the services are served in dessert dishes. Each child can chose their product in a variety of flavors; chocolate, bubble gum, cotton candy, strawberry shortcake and many more. There is something for everyone, even the option of vegan, organic, paraben free and hypoallergenic products.

There is also a creative imagination dessert bar where kids can make their own lip gloss, lotion, soap, scrubs, chap sticks, body sprays, scented slime and more. They will get to pick flavors/fragrances, colors, add glitter and get to name and label their own creation. Not only will it be fun, it will teach them the science behind what they are making.

Kim Swan is the owner of the Sundae Spa LLC. The idea was started when Swan was playing a game with her children, a story telling game where one person says a line of a story and then each person adds their own line. The Story of the Sundae spa inspired a family brainstorm in which they all contributed their own unique ideas of a place that children can come, make sweet treats, learn and have fun. From there Swan developed a business plan, financing, chose a location and had her 7 daughters to help with the testing and development of Sundae Spa’s products. Swan, a former science teacher says “ I wanted the products safe enough so that any child could join in fun and learning experience of creating special lotions, soaps and other products.”

The Concept of the Sundae Spa was started 6 years ago. Since then Swan has been perfecting and selling online, and doing trade shows. Incorporating the concept along with the products, Swan opened the Sundae Spa in the summer of 2010. Her children are very much apart of her business , she says, “It’s a place for all my girls to be apart of, I support all of them in their unique talents. All of them where able to contribute in some way.” The Business has received a grant from the state of Connecticut and will be opening up a new location. Swan adds, “hard work really does pay off.”

Swan is a mother of 7 girls, consisting of 3 biological daughters and 4 from the foster care system, that have been with the family ranging from 6-13 years. She was a high school educator  and was able to work while her children were at school, after she opened the Sundae Spa they were all able to come together and be apart of the business. Swan says, “They helped me come up with the ideas, test the products, and now work in the spa. My daughter’s are an inspiration.” As for how she balanced family and owning a business, she says , “At times things become difficult, I remind myself to focus on the good. We make sure to stick with our family vacation, and have dinner together as a family at least 3 times a week.”

Swan tells mom entrepreneurs like herself to follow your dreams, keep negativity away and ask for help when you need it. She offers this great advice, “You have to make sure that you are healthy and happy before you can focus on others in your life, you can’t help anyone else if you are not taken care of. Do only what you can today, the rest will wait till tomorrow.”

The Sundae Spa is marketed through social media, face book, twitter, and a just added pinterest page. Swan also utilizes mom bloggers, giving them product/service  to review. Sundae Spa ads can be found in kids magazines, billboards, also appearances at local events and fairs. Swan also gives back to the community, she shares and donates to organizations and charities such as, Sunshine kids, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, DCF foster and adoptive care, and also participating in and donating to the education system. The Sundae Spa will also be launching a new commercial airing in Connecticut this week. The commercial will air on USA, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, ABC Family and Animal Planet.

Plan on the Sundae Spa for your child’s next birthday party, Organization meeting or if your just looking for something fun to do. The spa can cater to school field trips, the kids can make products while learning the science behind them. Girl scout events are very popular, they even have a  “Girl scout fun patch.” If you are thinking that this is just for little girls, think again! The Sundae Spa has plenty for boys to have some fun too, including a recently added pirate themed party. Boys can get a hair cut, make their own scented slime, glitter tattoo’s, dinosaur bath fizz digs, and make their own scented bouncy balls.

Kim Swan has an amazingly unique business that is sure to make any kid very happy. Lastly, she says, “I love that I get to have a job that lets me work with my family, constantly be able to be creative and do what I love; working with children teaching and putting smiles on their faces. For our readers Swan was kind enough to offer a coupon code, 15% off products and make your own, online or in-store, code : marketmom. Also pay only $40 for a $50 gift certificate with the code: GOMOM (offers not to be combined.)
 
Sundae Spa is located at 2457 East Main St. Waterbury CT, 06705, a second location coming soon to Boston Post Rd. in Milford. The hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11am -5pm, Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 9am-2pm.

Lastly , I want to add that I look forward to visiting The Sundae Spa with both of my children. I can’t help but keep thinking , gee I wish they had something like this when I was a kid! Something tells me I will be having just as much fun as they will be. Thanks to Kim Swan for this look into her unique business.