Power meetings in the parlor

Emphasis Salon, a salon/spa in Rockwell, has reengineered the concept of mixing beauty and doing business and pleasure. Its private rooms can be rented out for business meetings, bridal and baby showers and even children’s parties.

"Here, the men can smoke their cigars, have lunch or a few drinks while having a top level meeting," said part-owner Teng Roma.

Private room packages currently account for 15% of Emphasis’s total sales. Although other high-end salons are also putting up their own private room packages, Emphasis is unfazed by competition. "We have our steady following," said Roma.

Emphasis has four private rooms, plus a spa room. For big parties of about 15 people, two rooms are used as well as the men’s section.

Specialty

For example, a bridal package for 10 people could cost P15,000, inclusive of a catered light gourmet lunch. If a client opts to bring the food, an additional 20% on top of the salon treatment is charged for the use of the room. The package entitles the bride to a Lulur or Indonesian body scrub and massage, a crème bath hair treatment and a free trial make-up while guests can choose to have a manicure/pedicure with foot spa, hair treatment, blow dry, hair cut or back and foot massage.

The Lulur body scrub and massage uses organic lulur oils and scrubs, which are applied by Indonesian masseuses.

"Their credentials are impressive. One came from the Four Seasons Hotel in Bali. Another came from the highly respected Bimasena Spa at the Dharmawangsa in Jakarta, a member of the Rosewood chain. One came from the Grand Hyatt in Jakarta," said Roma.

Barely two years old, Emphasis has been doing well, in large part because it knows what its clients want. For example, members of the staff are trained to come up with the most efficient way to get all the services done in time for the client’s next meeting or flight.

"This was my concept of how a salon should be. People deserve a pampering, a place where they can totally relax, a destination for tired souls," said Roma.