Tough day at PLAYSCHOOL
at her new spa, rachel Powell, from Birmingham, offers manis and massages for kids aged 3 and up!
Planning my daughter Kimora’s birthday in April 2016, I racked my brain for what to do. But I didn’t need to.
My little madam had grand ideas of her own.
‘Can we go to a spa with my friends?’ she said. ‘I’ve found one online!’
Fine, if she was a teenager and fancied a bit of pampering. Thing was, Kimora was only 7!
‘Are you sure that’s what you want to do?’ I asked her.
‘Yes, look!’ she said, showing me a website for a kids’ spa. All for little ones like Kimora. But the trouble was... ‘This is in New York!’ I told her, reading on.
That didn’t put my little girl off.
‘Why don’t you open one here, so me and my friends can go?’ she asked me.
I worked as a mobile beautician, so pampering people was my business.
Well, pampering adults, anyway!
‘Maybe,’ I chuckled to keep her quiet – I had to smile.
I thought she’d forgotten all about it afterwards.
That year, we went for a meal to celebrate her birthday.
But the next year, as her 8th birthday approached…
‘Mummy, you promised you’d open a spa for me and my friends, remember?’ Kimora said to me.
In truth, I’d completely forgotten about it.
But, instead of fobbing Kimora off with excuses, a light bulb went on in my head.
Lately, I’d been looking for a new challenge. Maybe this kids’ spa isn’t such a daft idea! I thought. I started researching
Working with kids is one of the best jobs I’ve ever had
online, found a few spas for tots in America and Dubai. But nothing here. Excited, I talked through my idea with my family.
My mother Sonia and brother True, 28, were so supportive, lending me the cash to get started.
First things first, I had to find suitable premises.
In the meantime, I ordered some pink thrones and massage chairs from America.
Then some big mirrors for the walls, a huge pink rug and pink champagne flutes for the fizzy pop I’d be serving.
Then last August, after two months of hunting, I found the right spot – two shops next to each other.
One could be the spa, the other the party room.
It was quite out of my budget but, luckily, my family were amazing and offered me more help.
‘I promise I’ll pay you back within six months,’ I said gratefully to Mum.
Before I knew it, I was given the keys to the shops.
For two months, I slaved away, working from 5am until late into the night, sanding, skimming, cleaning, painting the walls different shades of pink.
I also had a parttime cleaning job, so would do shifts to make extra money whenever possible. I was exhausted.
Kimora’s dad helped look after her when I wasn’t around, along with her little brother Timari, then 6.
Kimora would come and see me every day after school and I’d let her help a bit.
It was her brilliant idea, after all!
She was so excited and wanted to be involved.
In October, I had the grand opening – Kandy Girl was officially in business, offering manicures, facials, glittery fake tattoos…
I wasn’t completely ready. I was missing bits like the disco ball in the party room, and a couple of pieces of furniture.
But I had to open, as I needed to start making money.
I had no idea how much I’d spent and didn’t want to think about it. But every penny and every hour I’d grafted away was worth it, come opening day.
Friends and family piled into the spa, toasted my hard work, and wished me luck.
‘Congratulations, Rachel!’ my mum said, raising her glass. I couldn’t have done it without her.
But my biggest fan was definitely my girl Kimora. She gave me a huge hug. ‘Mummy, I’m so proud of you!’ she said, beaming happily.
Seeing that smile on her face was my greatest achievement.
Soon, I was making appointments for all kinds of treatments, for kids aged between 3 and 16.
Facials, manicures, massages, makeovers...
Most people in Kingstanding have been so encouraging and love the new spa.
But I do, sometimes, get the odd negative comment.
‘It’s not appropriate for little girls,’ some dads have said.
They feel like their daughters are growing up too fast.
Of course, they’re entitled to their opinions.
But when they come in and see what we do, they change their minds.
A few lads have come in with their mums and sisters and had massages and foot soaks. They love it, too!
Who doesn’t like to have a bit of pampering?!
I think everyone should take pride in their appearance, and Kandy Girl is a fun, safe place for kids to relax when they’re tired and want to hang out with their friends.
Kimora had the first party at the spa, with 12 friends, and it was such a hit! I know Kandy Girl will be a huge success.
I had faith in my daughter’s dream and I know she believes I’ll make it work.
Working with kids and seeing the smiles on their faces is one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.
Pampering little princesses (and princes) makes me proud!