Chistova and family got involved in hosting the event several years ago.  Chistova said, “At first, we started collecting money for good causes. Then we said, how can we do more? How can we truly TOUCH the lives of those who are affected? So, we decided to actually put OUR HANDS on people who need it, instead of just sending out checks. “

The ‘Just for Her’ salon and spa day offers cancer patients and survivors a complimentary day of beauty, relaxation, and gourmet delights.  For the past 7 years, Chistova and her generous staff have donated their hands and hearts to service these brave women.  The event also raises money to benefit the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey. 

Valentina Chistova

The special day is very near and dear to Valentina and her family.  Every generation of their family has had cancer, including Valentina’s mother.  “Almost every family has been affected by this terrible disease, or knows another family who has been,” says Chistova, “I want to show people that we care and that we can fight together.”  This year, Chistova is calling upon all spas, salons and beauty industry resources across the country to participate in the event and help spread the word. 

Chistova says the day has a tremendous impact on the women who participate.  “One woman in particular who came for a massage pulled me to the side and cried and said ‘I never thought I would be able to show anyone my body or let anyone touch it….after having the massage I feel more comfortable and now I can see that I am still myself, I am still whole” 

Chistova goes on to say, “The event allows salons and spas to give their hands and hearts for people that are in need, but too shy to ask.  We hope that many more salons and spas will a ‘Just for Her’ event, and we can make the last Monday in October a national day for the entire beauty industry.”

Any salon, day spa, or beauty industry source that would like to host a ‘Just for Her event’ or would like to help publicize the event should contact Valentina at 732.890.0404 or info@dayspaexpert.com

For more information on Valentina, visit http://www.ValentinaChistova.com

It’s been 8 years since Valentina Chistova opened her own spa in New Jersey. After a 7 year stint as a spa manager and over 20 years dedicated to the art of healthy skin care, Chistova felt confident enough in her skills and her English (Russian is her first language) to start her own business, something clients had been asking of her for years.  Her passion and professionalism has made her a success with employees, clients and Spa industry editors.  Recently, Skin Inc magazine featured Valentina in a one-on-one interview they appropriately titled, “A Passionate Professional”. 

Now the proud owner of Aquamedica Salon and Day Spa in Long Branch, NJ, Chistova credits much of her esthetic inspiration to her grandmother who always emphasized the nature of life and business to change constantly.  In the interview with Abby Penning, Chistova comments,“My grandmother always said ‘You learn all your life and you die foolish.’ ”

Chistova credits this life lesson to the driving force behind her success.  Chistova is constantly renewing herself, her business, her services, her ideas, everything around her.  As a Russian immigrant, Chistova struggled to perfect her English and understand the changing dynamics of the US spa industry.  Her biggest marketing weapon is the Internet.  Chistova enlisted the help of a friend and Internet Marketing professional, Stacey Berlin, to help her with her online marketing strategy.  She even taught herself HTML coding and updates her own websites with specials and blogs each week.

Although Chistova grew up surrounded by esthetic inspiration, she says it wasn’t her intention to get into the skin care business.  According to the interview, ”She took up studying history and opera in college, as well as medicine as part of her military education requirement. This medical education marked one of Chistova’s first steps back toward esthetics, becoming a nurse through Kharkov State University.”

Now a successful spa owner, Chistova is offering her wisdom and advice to other spa owners.  She has set up a Spa Marketing firm where she and a successful Internet Marketing consultant help spas understand the power of the Internet and how to launch their successful online marketing strategy.

To read the full Skin Inc. Magazine interview, please visit http://www.skininc.com/spabusiness/leaders/people/46742097.html?page=1

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Contact us for Internet PR opportunities.  www.tcr-marketing.com | stacey@tcr-marketing.com