A Self-Care SANCTUARY

Selah Salon and Spa, illuminated by the borderland sunsets, captivates the grand and ravishing journeys of being a woman. The freeing evolutions within ourselves, liberating strengths, and empowering decisions made. Individually, but also as one. We are gifted with the lavishing, divine prosperities of womanhood. Thus, a place we can call home, “Selah,” owned by Cathy Emfinger.

With clients who have been coming back for over 20 years, Selah embarks on highlighting the quality of lives through beauty and individuality. Not only did she bring fragments of the island to the deserts, she also carried her spirituality tightly, and poetically.

Selah, found in the Hebrew Psalms, is part of many interludes and melodies. “We wanted a place, especially for women, to have a pause in their lives. Like an interlude, where the word Selah is found in harmonic Hebrew melodies,” says Emfinger.

Entrepreneur, business owner, mother, grandmother, daughter, and an inspiration to the expression of staying true, fearless, and gracious.

From a small country town in mid-Texas, surrounded by cowboy boots and wranglers, Emfinger was raised by an entirety of women. Her grandmother, Eula Pearl Cagle, influenced her with independence and wisdom.

“She was the wisest person I have ever known. Such a wise woman, always there to encourage, to correct, if needed. I’m very thankful for her,” says Emfinger.

Emfinger, alongside her husband, during the early 70s, discovered the radiance beyond the Franklin Mountains, known as El Paso, Texas. Military Base, Fort Bliss, primarily granted her family the proper treatment from hospital William Beaumont for her oldest son, diagnosed with spina bifida. El Paso carried the proper specialists and treatments. After a six-year departure to Hawaii from 1982 through 1988, she always found herself back home, where she was saluted with golden opportunities for her and her family.

The admiration from the women throughout her childhood, Emfinger, with tranquility and solidity, continued the legacy. An everlasting appreciation towards El Paso, “It is not just the delicious food, but the people. It always felt like coming back home.”

Her two sons, Page and Chance, daughter Shama, all carry their mother’s courage.

Landmarking the felicity of following your dreams. When returning to El Paso, Hawaii was brought to the city. “My husband used to always jokingly encourage me to open up my own salon.”

This led to the birth of Selah Salon and Spa in 2001 after returning in 1990, alongside her daughter Shama. Correlating with the ambiance of the island, the doors opened with luxuriance.

Turquoise among the perimeter, metallic shears, wooden floors, and peace. “I didn’t realize until a friend of mine pointed it out. Blinds blue like the sky, chairs blue like the water, and floors representing the sand. Subconsciously I think I brought some of the island with me,” explains Emfinger.

As an entrepreneur, her perceptivity emboldens women of all ages and backgrounds to rejoice their passions, no matter how far or grand they seem to be.

According to Emfinger, maintaining your faith, hard-work, and bravery are worth the “hills and valleys.”

When asked about any advice she would give to women passionate about opening up their own salon or business she says,

“Be prepared. It is hard work. Although it is a beautiful thing from both inside and out, there is a financial aspect to it, in which you must be prepared for the ups and downs. However, it is a great opportunity that is without question worth it.”

For example, fostering her granddaughter’s self-made business Kazmira Emfinger, owner and nail technician of salon “La Cure Nails and Beauty.”

What fulfills Emfinger the most is the potential she sees in others and contingency to selflessly spread positivity with clients that are considered to be family.

“A lot of people told me not to do it,” she says. “They would ask me if I was sure about my decision. But I was obedient to the Lord’s path for me. Close doors that needed to be closed and open the ones that needed to be opened. I was told that I wouldn’t be able to open within six months, or shouldn’t have gotten my first small business loan, but everything fell into place.”

Twenty-two years later, Selah has been consistently recognized throughout the city of El Paso.

“The clients are the ones who vote; therefore, it means so much because we are being recognized by the ones we serve.”

As women, we are born with a natural sense of clarity. To have ownership in what we work hard for, determination for triumph and success. But also, the choice to be anything or anyone we strive to be.

“We are naturally compassionate. We not only build each other up, but people in general. We look at people’s hearts. Though we may be different, we are all equal,” says Emfinger of Selah, a place that welcomes all that makes us women.