Seeing the need to fill a void, former corporate executive Tashawna Martin decided to establish a spa catering to young girls. That facility, Lavish Luxury Kids Spa, was officially opened on April 27.

The facility is located at 22 Kensington Crescent in New Kingston, and is open Sunday to Saturday.

“I used to take my little sister to the nail salon for a manicure. However, she didn’t enjoy going to an adult salon, as they’re not very child-friendly,” Martin explained.

“Also, sometimes the conversations and music played in the salon are not child-appropriate. I felt it was the right time to bring this experience for little girls to Jamaica.”

She came up with the concept two years ago, but began seriously pursuing it early last year owing to the closure of the company she worked in as a project manager for seven years.

“I decided that instead of working for someone else, why not bring this idea to life? It took a year to fully execute and now it’s finally here,” said Martin.

With a staff of four women who have been trained in all areas of spa and hair treatment, Martin stressed that Lavish Luxury Kids Spa has a child-friendly environment.

“My team is trained to do manicures, pedicures, facials and hair styling for children. All of our tools and products that we use for these services are 100 per cent child-friendly. The feedback we’ve received so far has been great, more than expected, in a very positive way,” she added.

Martin did not disclose the cost to get her business a reality but said the “investment was significant and definitely worth it”.

Currently, the establishment caters to girls aged three to 14, but hopes boys will be part of the programme soon.

“I think that here in Jamaica it’s hard to find a location for little girls to be pampered, where you don’t have to work around the appropriateness of the conversations and overall atmosphere of the salon. I provide a child-friendly space that is entirely for them,” said Martin.