9 December 2020
19
www.thevillagenews.co.za
MY WELLNESS
Getting back into Tip Toe shape W
hen Elvina April is in her salon, she’s in her happy place. During the initial levels of lockdown when she had to keep her doors closed, she says she missed her work, her clients and her “other home”.
Elvina April in her beauty salon, Tip Toe in Main Road, which recently celebrated its 2nd birthday.
“I had been looking forward to taking a holiday, but when the lockdown happened I soon became frustrated. I don’t really enjoy gardening or baking, and I realised you should be careful what you wish for!” she laughs. “I was so excited when I was able to open my salon again, because this is not just a job for me – it’s my passion. I love being here, connecting with people and sharing their life journeys; we empower and learn from each other…” Tip Toe is indeed a tranquil and relaxing space, even though it’s situated on the busy Main Road. Once Elvina starts your treatment, you forget all about the world out there as you unburden yourself of life’s daily stresses and strains. She’s friendly, professional and easy to talk to. She’s also courageous, as is every entrepreneur in Hermanus who decides to strike out and open his/her own business. For Elvina, it has
been quite a long journey that brought her to this big decision. When she first moved to Hermanus 30 years ago she was still in her teens and her first job was as a wine steward at the Windsor Hotel. About a year later she responded to an advert that led her to hairstylist Sandi Wurbach, who at that time had a salon at the Gateway Centre. “My
journey has been paved by angels who taught me and supported me,” says Elvina. Another “angel” was Ria Jordaan of Pamper Me, who sent the young Elvina on a beauty course in Cape Town. “I found that I enjoyed nails more than hair,” she says. After seven years with Pamper Me, she decided to take the next step and set herself up as a nail technician at Rose Hair & Beauty. Here Elvina built up a loyal client base over 10 years. Along the way she also got married (and divorced) and had three children, now aged 29, 21 and 14. It was one of her clients, Pat Campbell who told her about the premises in Main Road that had become available after Vodacom moved out. “She helped me with a loan and was very encouraging,” says Elvina. “She kept telling me,
‘You and do it!’ I truly am a blessed person as so many people have offered me support, often at the worst moments when I really didn’t know how I’d be able to carry on.” Elvina says starting her own business was a big step but all went well in her first year. “The salon was doing great – and then came the lockdown. Again, I was blessed to have a sympathetic landlord and although I had to face new challenges, I was very happy and relieved to celebrate our 2nd birthday last week. I’m confident that I’ll be able to survive this Covid-19 setback which has impacted not only me but all local businesses.” Tip Toe offers a range of nail treatments, including Bio-Sculpture and Acrylic, and in the tranquil massage room at the back of the shop, Elvina’s colleague Angie Dube is ready to treat customers to anything from a quick 15-minute scalp massage to a 90-minute full body massage. Gift vouchers are also available. You’ll find Tip Toe at 1 Windsor Lane, Main Road, Hermanus. Contact Elvina on 073 474 0332 or Angie on 083 592 8900. – Hedda Mittner
Homeleigh Holiday Care Program 24-hour live-in care for 1-4 weeks, At a special rate from 15th Dec -15th Jan
For more information contact Hannelie Fourie on 083 381 5012
