Going to the spa or salon for a massage or a facial doesn’t just make you look good—it makes you feel good. And that’s what Pat Scherven, Laura Alwan, Karen Majewski and Roger Bolz all have in common: They’re all in the business of making people feel good about themselves. Each of these local specialists exude with passion when they talk about their careers and more than anything, want clients to walk away from their appointments perfectly coifed, with glowing skin or a little less tension in their shoulders.
Porously Passionate
Owner of Skin Therapease in Wayzata and licensed esthetician Pat Scherven knows a thing or two about keeping your skin nourished and healthy. In the healthcare and wellness business for more than 30 years, Scherven didn’t start out in skincare specifically. After working in corporate healthcare administration and while finishing her Master’s degree in marketing, Scherven’s final project took her to a health food store where she fell in love with a natural skincare product, amazed at what it did for her own skin. From there, Scherven pursued her growing passion. “The more I learned, the more I needed to know,” she explains.
Since that fateful day, Scherven has gained much experience in the skincare world and in 1996, started Skin Therapease, a skin health clinic that provides specialized skincare treatments from a holistic approach. “We’re not a doctor’s office and we’re not a salon, but somewhere in between,” says Scherven. Microdermabrasions and facials are the top services, but their list of treatments runs the dermatological gamut, including laser hair removal, photo-rejuvenation and dermaplanning. Scherven explains that our skin is a map of our body. If there’s something going on, like an auto-immune issue, it can show up in the skin.
“I’m really into skin—how it changes and how it matures from a baby into the more mature years,” says Scherven, which is what has sparked her research and accomplishments in skincare. “I want to make people aware of the importance of taking care of their skin,” she says. “We have to become more conscientious about skin care.”
Scherven reminds us that it’s especially important to think about your skin during these harsh winter months. She stresses the importance of protecting your skin from the wind, using sun protection and, of course, moisturizing not only your face, but your whole body.
But when this skincare guru isn’t performing treatments and educating her clientele, Scherven likes to relax. “Sunday is my sacred day,” she says. If she’s not working out, you may find her cooking, doing Pilates, getting a massage or acupuncture. “I look for those [spa specialists] who have a passion for what they do because it always shows,” she says.
From Hair to There
Hair stylist Laura Alwan spent her childhood tinkering around in her aunt’s home salon. Little did she know, she was a talent in the making. “I was that child who liked to look neat and nice,” says Alwan. “I was always pulling magazine tear sheets and loved fashion from a young age.” Once she graduated from high school, Alwan decided to follow her childhood dream and attended the Horst Education Center (now the AVEDA Institute) for cosmetology where she completed 1,550 hours of working with hair.
After graduating in 1985, Alwan started working with renowned hair stylist David Wagner, who went on to start Juut Salonspa in 1999, where she’s worked ever since its inception. “What sets Juut apart is that they are continually educating,” says Alwan, adding that employees are often given opportunities to learn from experienced specialists who are known worldwide.
With 25 years of experience in styling hair, Alwan has seen it all, noting that it’s a very rare occasion for her to be shocked by a client’s hair dilemma. From do-it-yourself hair color gone wrong to people who’ve done their own dreadlocks, Alwan’s tales run the gamut. But in addition to helping people get their dream style, Alwan enjoys the artistry involved with her profession. “I love creating and making beautiful things,” she says. “It’s very rewarding.”
What people may not know is that the job of a stylist is much more comprehensive than a wash and cut. “We’re not just hairstylists,” explains Alwan. “We’re artists, teachers, good listeners, therapists and hair doctors.” That’s why it’s important for young people who want to pursue a career in hair to make sure it’s really what they want to do. Alwan recommends aspiring young stylists participate in a job shadow experience before making the commitment. And definitely don’t underestimate the physical demands of the job: You’ve got to be able to work on your feet for up to 10 hours a day.
What is Alwan’s top pick when it comes to relaxation? A pedicure at Juut. “A pedicure is like heaven for people that stand all day,” she laughs.
Shades of Experience
We’ve all seen that woman on the street with the sleek chestnut brown bob or the sassy blonde highlights, and we’ve all felt that tinge of jealousy as she walks by. However, getting the perfect look isn’t the handiwork of an $8 box of hair color from the drugstore. Instead, it’s more likely due to the expertise of a professional colorist like Karen Majewski.
Like Alwan, Majewski also got her start at the Horst Education Center in cosmetology, but her inspiration started at a much younger age. A Deephaven native, Majewski used to tag along to her mother’s hair appointments at one of the Horst salons in Deephaven. “I got a great vibe in that setting,” she says. “I was always interested in hair, fashion and makeup growing up.” Majewski describes her decision to attend Horst as a “no brainer” some 22 years ago, knowing that she was going to learn from the best of the best.
Though she started with the intent of being a hair cutter, Majewski’s training led her to change directions slightly and specialize in coloring. After graduating, Majewski started with Roco Altobelli where she focused on coloring and, unfortunately, a lot of perms, she quips.
Three years ago, Majewski joined the team at Salon Lili in Minnetonka, where the majority of her business is coloring. “I wanted to be able to do something really well and preferred hair color,” she explains. And that’s also what’s unique about Salon Lili: Each specialist works with clients in their area of expertise only.
But along with the coloring, Majewski’s other favorite part of the job is meeting new people and the challenge of providing great customer service in any situation. Though the industry may change, people stay the same, giving her the chance to use her people skills and build relationships with clients. “It’s important to have good communication skills and know what you’re talking about so you can turn your words into action and create the look that the client wants,” she explains.
When asked about who cuts and colors her hair, Majewski laughs, explaining that like the saying, “Doctors make the worst patients,” hair specialists make the worst clients. “If I could do it myself, I would,” she chuckles. When given a chance to kick back and take a break, Majewski loves a good massage. But really, she just enjoys getting off her feet.
Just What You Knead
Strength and compassion are two words that describe massage therapist Roger Bolz. Committed to helping people relax and, ultimately, feel healthier, we bet his clients couldn’t agree more.
The 69-year-old massage therapist had careers in the Naval Air Reserve, Minnesota Air National Guard and at a local phone company before retiring and doing massage full-time in 1993. Bolz’s interest in massage therapy was sparked by a co-worker at the telephone company who did massage out of her home. She became Bolz’s mentor and he took a few introductory courses in massage before he started doing massage part-time in 1988. Bolz then attended the Northern Lights School of Massage (now known as CenterPoint) to receive his certification and started with the Marsh in 1992.
“Working with clients is the best thing about my job,” says Bolz. He enjoys helping them feel better and the challenge of solving their physical problems. At the Marsh, Bolz and the other therapists perform a variety of massage styles, including shiatsu, Swedish, Esalen, trigger point therapy and more. However, most of Bolz’s training was in neuromuscular therapy, which is what he uses most when working with clients.
Bolz is in high demand, though, with regular clients coming in for weekly massages—some for the past 18 years. So what does it take to be a top-notch massage therapist? According to Bolz, the number one thing is the ability to work closely with people. “You need to be compassionate and patient sometimes,” he adds. And, of course, you need to be strong.
Bolz’s long career in such a physical profession hasn’t slowed him down, though. On Bolz’s days off, he works on strengthening his hands, keeping a squeeze ball under the seat of his car in case he has an extra minute to work on it. With the average job lifespan of a massage therapist at seven years, Bolz has definitely made his mark in a challenging profession.
And though Bolz spends much of his week giving massages, he still likes to be on the receiving end once in a while. Along with regular walking and jogging, Bolz gets a massage every two weeks to stay stress free.
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