By Bonnie Mason
You don’t have to look any further than the Sola Salon Studios® in the Highwoods Preserve area of New Tampa to get the treatment you need to feel totally pampered and stress-free. Whether you want an invigorating massage or a rejuvenating facial, Sola Salon, located in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve shopping plaza at Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in New Tampa is where you will find long-time co-workers and salon professionals Bonnie Whitaker, owner of Bonnie’s BodyWorks, and Colleen Frasca, owner of Colleen’s Custom Skincare.
Sola Salon Studios® is a nationwide chain of more than 100 salons that provides a salon model facility in which experienced hairdressers, aestheticians, nail stylists, massage therapists and other salon professionals run their own individual businesses together under one roof. The professionals rent their “booth” space within the Sola Salon location and maintain their individual businesses as they wish, setting their own appointments and hours and managing their own time. The Highwoods Preserve location currently has 21 such tenants.
Bonnie’s BodyWorks
Bonnie Whitaker, of Bonnie’s BodyWorks, has been a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) for 13 years. Prior to becoming an LMT, Whitaker worked for a local pharmaceutical manufacturing company, where long hours were not uncommon and stress always ran high.
“I was always the bearer of bad news when the company determined the staff would need to work overtime and I always wanted to help ease their stress,” says Whitaker. Happy to help others, often massaging the tension out of her co-workers’ aching necks and shoulder muscles, Whitaker says she found her calling. She graduated from the Humanities School of Massage (now named Cortiva Institute) in Tampa in 1999 and has studied and offers many licensed massage therapies, or “modalities,” including sports, myofascial release, stretching, neuromuscular, deep tissue, Lomi-Lomi, hot stone, traditional Thai massage and many more.
Prior to landing at Sola Salon and opening Bonnie’s BodyWorks, Whitaker worked in several local spas and salons in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, including Spa Malia, which was located in the former Hunter’s Green Model & Visitor Center on BBD until it closed in February of 2003. She also owned her own mobile massage business for ten years.
“I really have a passion for what I do,” she explains. “I get great satisfaction from helping others.”
Whitaker says her specialty is deep tissue therapeutic massage. “I know my clients are happy when I can see the difference in (their body language) after,” she says, adding that her deep tissue therapeutic massage can usually get to the root of the client’s problem. The body work is performed on specific target areas in the superficial and deep layers of the muscles where they attach to bone (aka, the connective tissue). Whitaker warns that, for some, deep tissue massages can be somewhat uncomfortable; however, it is most often the best option for clients with chronic conditions, particularly muscular-skeletal disorders, as well as for clients who experience chronic pain, or physical injury.
Henry, a Wesley Chapel resident, told Whitaker, “You have magic hands; you’re a true healer!” And, New Tampa resident Linda Darrah raves, “I have been using Bonnie’s massage services for close to 10 years and that speaks for itself. She is very knowledgeable about the human body and knows how to focus on areas to ease pain and trigger relaxation.”
Whitaker makes each massage fit the individual’s needs, often incorporating more than one modality to help a client feel the most results. She says everyone should be getting massages—whether it is once a week or once every six weeks—because it is good maintenance for the body.
“Clients are more in tune with their bodies these days and notice signs that their bodies are giving them,” says Whitaker. Other benefits of massage include increased circulation, a boost in metabolism, enhanced range of motion; stress-reduction and it also helps the body release hormones that benefit the body as a whole.
Whitaker is originally from Long Island, NY, although she and her family moved to Cape Coral, FL, where she spent most of her childhood. Now a single mother, she lives in Tampa with her 10-year-old daughter.
She offers flexibility for her clients, with appointments available in the morning, afternoon, and two evenings a week. She also has Saturday hours and some Sundays available. Treatments can be as short as a half-hour or as long as three hours, depending upon the magnitude of the problem or modality that is best for the client. Bonnie’s BodyWorks offers first-time clients a 20-percent discount, so be sure to mention you’re a first-timer and that you read about Bonnie’s healing hands in the New Tampa Neighborhood News, too!
Colleen’s Custom Skincare
Licensed Aesthetician Colleen Frasco, who also is a member of Associated Skin Care Professionals and owner of Colleen’s Custom Skincare, also has a space in New Tampa’s Sola Salon) and she is proud to annouce that, just in time for fall, she has added a new, all-natural Pumpkin Peel Pro that promises glowing results!
“This (Pumpkin Peel Pro) is a multi-faceted peel that helps induce cellular renewal, improve elasticity and skin radiance, and promotes healing of acne,” explains Frasco. The product also aids in reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyper pigmentation. Frasco says the Pumpkin Peel Pro is good for all skin types, except those with rosacea and those with highly-active acne. The peel also provides amazing antioxidants for the skin, adds Frasco.
Frasco found her way to becoming an aesthetician after working for seven years at University Community Hospital (now Florida Hospital Tampa on E. Fletcher Ave.) in the fast-paced emergency room admissions area. She received her certificate in aesthetic skincare from the Tampa Bay Career Academy in Brandon, with the intent of working with her sister and brother-in-law, once he finished medical school to practice plastic surgery.
But, she decided not to leave her Tampa home for Miami, where her brother-in-law opened his practice. Instead, she found work at various positions in local spas and also worked for a plastic surgeon in South Tampa. Like Whitaker of Bonnie’s BodyWorks, Frasco also landed at the now-closed Spa Malia, where the two worked side by side for several years.
Colleen’s Custom Skincare uses only natural skincare products by Pevonia — a world-renowned company that creates incredible products for every skin type and provides naturally beautiful and noticeable results, Frasco says. The Pevonia products also are free of paraben, alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, PABA and contain no artificial colors, formaldehyde or sodium lauryl sulfate. Many clients appreciate Pevonia’s eco-packaging and animal cruelty-free policy. Acute Derm is another product Frasco uses for acne and anti-aging treatments, in addition to her most recent addition of Nature of Beauty natural body butter and back acne soaps she has available for purchase.
Frasco also has created her own customized facial to deeply hydrate and tone the face and neck. She uses pure Collage and Elastin along with pure rose water. She also recommends an add-on lip treatment to soften and smooth the lines around the face and mouth area, especially for those who smoke. She also specializes in anti-aging treatments, including advanced facial masks, massage and facial techniques for instant skin plumping and rejuvenation, ultra-sonic therapy for firming and smoothing lines, as well as stimulating blood and lymph circulation.
A New Tampa resident for 26 years, Barbara Shever says one of her best joys in regards to a skin care service has been finding Colleen. “She pays such great attention to every detail in my skin, noticing the slightest change,” Shever explains, adding that Colleen adaptsher facial to the uniqueness of Shrever’s skin.
Frasco notes that her number one facial currently is an anti-aging facial using freeze-dried Collagen with Elastin using an ultrasonic spatula. Other services she offers include acid peels, eye treatments, acne treatment for teens and adults, face and body waxing and brow and eyelash tinting.
Frasco has also helped train other aestheticians in her previous places of employment; in fact, she was the head aesthetician at Spa Malia prior to its closing. “I have a love of teaching,” Frasco says. “I am always ready to learn about new findings and treatments on how to help my clients attain healthier skin.”
She adds, “It’s because of my husband Mark, who recently retired from Verizon, that I was able to launch my business in Sola Salon.” Colleen and Mark live in Temple Terrace and have two adult sons and a 4-year-old grandson to entertain them.
Frasco says the best part about owning her own business is that she can always dedicate the time needed to get the results each client expects and deserves. “I don’t have to rush through a procedure and I’m never overbooked,” Frasco says.
At the same time, Colleen says she believes in making every facial visit an incredibly unique and relaxing experience. Her space also features a comfortable, heated therapeutic bed-table that enhances the effects of her treatments — helping her patients’ stresses melt away. Frasco adds that she is thankful for the friendships she has developed over the years and grateful that she can truly help her clients feel rejuvenated and beautiful.
Ruth Brown, who has been Frasco’s client for nearly 10 years says, “Colleen takes such good care of my skin. She is an expert at making my skin look and feel younger!” Frasco also is hopeful that other clients who are looking for her will find her by reading the New Tampa Neighborhood News. She also offers first-time clients 20-percent off their first visit.
To give yourself the gift of a stress-free day, or to get to the root of your muscle aches and pains, call Bonnie Whitaker at 310-7473 to schedule your massage therapy appointment at Bonnie’s BodyWorks today!
To take advantage of Colleen’s Custom Skincare, call 417-1734 or visit her website at Colleen.SkinCareTherapy.net. Sola Salon Studio is located at 18061 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., in the same plaza as HomeGoods and BestBuy.
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