The Ivy is a full-service beauty salon and day spa, where clients can undergo integrative beauty, skincare, and body treatments with a highly skilled beauty professional.  They provide the best quality treatments with the latest technology, all in a safe and serene environment. By following the core values of integrity, excellence, kindness, and compassion, the team at The Ivy provide the highest quality beauty services in Waterford. The team believes it’s what they give of themselves to others that truly makes them beautiful. After all, beauty is best found in the relationships we develop with our loved ones and friends. We caught up with Emma , the owner, to chat about the changes after COVID and share some of her plans for the future. 

Tell us about your business ?

The Ivy Wellness and Beauty Salon found in Newtown Waterford,  with over 19 years experience in the beauty industry,  The Ivy is still in its infancy with only 4 years in business. We specialise in holistic, aesthetics and all types of beauty, our strong team makes the environment an even happier place to be.  We take great pride in curating a relaxing spa environment where exceptional service and innovative treatments are always the rule, never the exception. We work hard to ensure you enjoy our specialised services, connect with our talented team, learn more about the high-quality products we offer, and feel at ease taking the time to invest in yourself. A catalyst to The Ivy’s success is our collective desire to customise treatments to each client’s needs. We maintain that distinction by employing thoroughly-trained therapists who always address your concerns. We believe there’s no other salon that can serve both as your personal oasis and a resource for all things self-care. We invite you to experience dedicated professionalism, by choosing The Ivy, Waterford 

 

What products and services do you have?

We stock many amazing products from Italy’s no.1 skin care brand, Dibi Milano. We are so thrilled to retail this brand as well as offer their exclusive treatment list. We also support local Irish made Voya home products. We are Ireland’s only stockists of Fusspot Collagen Beauty Tea. We have Irish made Meraki nail products and Irish made brow soap. Celebrity favourite Delilah Cosmetics.  Our tan is Tan Republic. We are taking on a new skin care brand also, but that is our secret for now , but we will be launching it with fanfare in the coming weeks. 

 

Our services 

  • Voya seaweed bath.
  • Mud baths.
  • Luxury Mani/Pedicures 
  • Facials.
  • RF anti ageing machine.
  • Waxing/threading.
  • Massage.
  • Reflexology 
  • Reflexotherapy 
  • Scar healing. 
  • I.E.T healing. 
  • Make Up.
  • Spray tan.
  • HD brows. 
  • LVLs.

 

How did COVID affect your business ? 

Covid hit the beauty industry really hard, where we were closed for 40 weeks in total.  Our last lockdown was especially difficult,  not having an opening date in sight and still paying rent and all our overheads. We lost three great staff members to circumstances relating to Covid, e.g childcare, health reasons etc. but they have continued to play a huge part in The Ivy life. They have covered hours when someone was on holidays or sick. To know we can fall back on them at a minute’s notice, which is worth its weight in gold.

 

What changes did you make to make things easier for you and your team?

 

During Covid I knew I had to keep my presence on social media alive. I didn’t want clients to forget me. I personally delivered products to clients (within our travel restriction guidelines) to keep our relationship alive. I wanted them to know I was still there for them, with advice and support even though we were closed. I also wanted them to keep up the good regimens that we had worked hard to start pre covid. When you have no option you must improvise, especially as a business owner. There was a lot of anxiety with staff initially with returning to work, but we had regular zoom meetings, refresher courses while closed. We conducted staff meetings before we re opened. Once day one was over all the anxieties left us, we were just so humbled by the love and support from our loyal customers. 

 

Tell me about your great accomplishments ? 

 

My greatest accomplishment on a business level are the awards and accreditations we have won in such a short space of time.On a smaller level, to hear people talking about The Ivy as “The place to go” or to hear “It’s an incredible salon”, that fills me with such pride.  I want my business to be the place where you feel welcome, comfortable and treated with respect.  If I can achieve this, then I’m happy. We have people that travel from other counties just for the Ivy Experience. That to me is worth everything 

 

Our awards and accreditations include :

Best Aesthetic and Holistic Newcomer 

Best Beauty Salon in Munster 

Employer of the Year 

Business All Stars accreditation 

All of the above has impacted my business positively,  people want to know they are in good hands. They are a testament to my team and our dedication to our clients. 

Who do you admire? 

Before Covid I would have said I’d admire someone famous, today I admire every business woman and man that on a daily basis struggle to keep their head above water, who employ staff to keep the economy flowing and have fought against the tides of restrictions and the ever changing guidelines. I admire all those people for just tryin

What are your plans for the rest of 2021?

We have HUGE plans for the remainder of 2021, new treatment rooms, new treatments and new products.  I can’t say much more but I know our clients will be blown away. 

 

You can find the Ivy at  Address: 1 St Andrews Terrence Newtown, Waterford City, Co. Waterford  or book online at https://theivybeautywellnesssalon.mylocalsalon.com/onlinebooking/v7410/Steps/SelectServices.aspx

 

By Mary-Jane O’Regan