Business

Chandler med spa owner left engineering career

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Contributor

Southeast Chandler is the home of SkinLab Laser, Aesthetics and Wellness, a new facility offering a variety of aesthetic services.

The gleaming, 2,300-square-feet medical spa is inhabiting space that had earlier housed two other spas and salons at different times.

Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, SkinLab offers injectables, skin peels, facials, body contouring, laser technology, wellness products such as vitamin infusions, and organic hair care.

Owner Marichu Evans of Chandler gave up an engineering career at Intel in 2017 to buy and run a salon. At first, she offered just hair services but gradually introduced medical spa services in 2019.

“We outgrew our space and came here. I want to have more services and we were limited with our space there,” Evans said. “I want to deliver to our clients a one-stop-shop for their aesthetic needs.”

If judging by the popularity of these services, her gamble paid off. Skin Lab receives about 700 client visits a month.

Evans, who has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in materials engineering, finds aesthetics “fun.”

“Most people will think that it’s purely aesthetics, but there’s a lot of technology that goes around too – like picking the right technology and the equipment, especially lasers,” she said. “The laser that we have is the top of the line in the market. We just choose the best equipment that delivers results for the clients.”

SkinLab employs about a dozen staffers, most of them part-time, including a medical doctor, nurse practitioner and two nurses. Evans said they are picked for their qualifications and trained regularly with new techniques.

A majority of its clientele consists of 25 to 45-year-olds, while seniors are increasingly discovering the spa as well, due to its proximity to Sun Lakes.

Its Instagram account has more than 12,000 members, mostly millennials, who are into injectables, with lip augmentation a popular service.

About 10 percentage of its clients are males, who mostly purchase Botox and fillers.

SkinLab’s membership programs, Facial Tribe and Skin Tribe, are often purchased by couples.

Another of the most sought-after services is organic hair care. Tina Wallace, hair specialist at SkinLab, said: “I cater to clients who have sensitivities and also I have some people who have gone through chemotherapy and are cautious about not using chemicals that are harmful.” Wallace, who has 20 years of experience, is available four days a week to do hand-tied weft hair extensions, hair coloring and other general hair services such as cutting and styling. Some of her clients drive from the West Valley and Scottsdale just for the organic hair products such as Organic Way, Neuma and Loma. “A lot of the salons don’t offer organic,” Wallace said. “I think it’s good for people to know there are options to not having harmful chemicals in your hair dye and that have the same performance as the regular hair color,” Evans said. “It still has the longevity and regular grey coverage like hair color but without harmful chemicals.”

Evans pointed out that her facility doesn’t have the strong smell of ammonia, the one giveaway that a salon’s products are harmful to the body.

“As you enter our facility, you don’t

Marichu Evans owns and operates SkinLab in Chandler. (Srianthi Perera/Contributor)

See SKINLAB on page 36

How 2 local businesses capitalized on pandemic

BY SYDNEY MACKIE

Staff Writer

Mark Stewart said his marketing-public relations firm helped a Chandler interior decorator generate $3 million in new business with a comprehensive digital refresh.

Stewart – a Chandler City Council member who is founder of Concept2Completion – said his company’s work for Haus Interiors at 2350 E. Germann Road demonstrates the value of an engaging social media presence in extreme economic circumstances – like those created by the pandemic.

It’s not just Haus Interiors that benefitted, either.

“Our business actually picked up during the pandemic because people recognize that they need to redo their website, update their LinkedIn profile or take videos that tell their brand’s story. All those things became apparent,” said Stewart.

Stewart’s work helped Haus Interiors capitalize on the pandemic’s impact on households. As more people worked from home and families spent more time there, more homeowners wanted to remodel.

At the same time, Stewart said there was a need for companies to enhance their digital outreach to take advantage of the fact that online use spiked.

“The overall electronics usage went through the roof during that period of time because people weren’t going to the movies and were out shopping as little as possible, so they were filling their time online,” he explained.

Capitalizing on this unique opportunity, Concept2Completion doubled its number of clients, Stewart said. They included small to medium businesses that included blockchain companies, orthodontic practices and lawyers.

They all had one goal, Stewart said: “Establish their brand, understand their messaging and ultimately, build a cadence and rhythm so they would be at the top of mind and tip of the tongue when opportunities came by.”

Haus Interiors, a four-employee contracting company, wanted a better platform to display their work and expand market awareness of their services.

These services include personal consultations with professionals in the industry, access to showrooms and an overall more intimate experience with customers to ensure their satisfaction with their renovated spaces. Concept2Completion hired an array of photographers and videographers to document Haus’ before-and-after transformations of homes, giving the company’s Instagram page a cohesive theme.

Stewart also ensured the brand could be found at the top of a Google search for general contractors or home remodeling, according to Haus Interiors project manager and interior designer Alyssa Warring.

“It was nice when we started working with Concept2Completion because they were able to fully take on everything so we don’t even have to think about it, it’s a well-oiled machine,” Warring said.

Added Stewart: “We’ve really created a following of people interested in their work, they may not even be interested in doing remodeling but they’re interested in the content.”

Moving forward, both Haus Interiors and Concept2Completion plan to grow their organizations, hiring people and capitalizing on the lessons they both learned during their work together.

“The takeaway from us is that digital is not going away and if you’re waiting for the perfect time to plant that tree, there are two great times,” Stewart said. “One time is tomorrow, so you can sit in the shade 30 years from now, another month and you’ll be in the same place you are today, so just take action.”

Haus Interiors Alyssa Warring said Mark Stewart’s work helped her firm.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

SKINLAB from page 35

have that smell,” she said. “That’s why we can’t use non-organic or have some harmful chemical with a strong ammonia smell because it will just stink the whole place. We need to control that and we can achieve that with the products that we use.”

“It’s better for the clients – everyone’s health – to not breathe in those chemicals,” Wallace added.

With the advent of the pandemic last year, the facility experienced a loss of clientele, but business picked up last summer.

“After the shutdown, people still want to look good and feel good, even with all that’s happening. And we’re doing all our best for precautionary measures, wiping down all the touch areas, having a filter system, cleaners coming in more often,” Evans said. “Everyone’s job is to make sure that everyone is safe.”

“So far, there haven’t been any outbreaks in the spa. We go above and beyond our sanitation,” she added.

Asked if she made the correct choice by changing careers, Evans said it has made a huge difference in her work-life balance. She is raising three children: her son Joshua, who graduated from Basis Chandler last year, and 5-year-old twin daughters, Ashley and Emily. Her husband, Matt, works in human resources at Intel.

Her mother and two sisters also live in Chandler. Eighteen years ago, they immigrated to the U.S. as a family.

There are many challenges in running a business, but she’s used to facing them. Her parents were business owners in the Philippines and she was part of the work ethic.

“It’s something I grew up with. It’s how you handle it. What’s your purpose in life?” Evans asked.

SkinLab Laser, Aesthetics and Wellness is at 3160 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler. Details: 480-418-6000 or skinlab.net.

Laser, Aesthetics and Wellness in Chandler offers a sleek look and relaxing environment.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

Chandler man starts painting business

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler resident Steven Fields has launched a new professional painting company – Fresh Coat Painters.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Fields offers interior and exterior painting, sealing and staining, popcorn ceiling and wallpaper removal, drywall repair, garage epoxy and more in the East Valley.

Fresh Coat Painters has a national product partnership with Sherwin-Williams.

“Our goal is to build relationships with our customers,” Fields said. “We don’t just want to want to come in, paint and leave. We want you to be so happy that you tell your friends and family about us. We want you to call us again for your next project. We want to build a relationship with you.”

Fresh Coat Painters hires background-checked professionals and has a 24/7 receptionist, online scheduling and free detailed quotes.

It boasts a “3-3-3 customer service pledge,” which means calls will be answered by a live person within three rings, a quote will be delivered within three days and the job will be started within three weeks.

Fields worked in aerospace throughout his civilian career. His wife, Melissa Morales, continues to serve in the Air Force in a reserve unit at March AFB, where she is the top enlisted person at her squadron. Her full-time job is as a nurse practitioner in an emergency room.

While Fields and Morales co-own Fresh Coat, Fields will be running the day-to-day operations.

“I’ve always wanted to own my own business. Fresh Coat Painters is the perfect opportunity to grow something on my own with the support of a national organization that brings a new kind of customer experience to my community,” Fields said.

Fresh Coat Painters was founded in 2004 as part of Strategic Franchising Systems. Since 2015, Fresh Coat Painters has been included in the Bond’s Top 100 and named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list.

Fields can be reach at 480-674-2226 or SFields@FreshCoatPainters.com. Information: FreshCoatPainters.com/ Chandler.

Steven Fields

Building near Chandler Airport sells for $34.2M

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A major office building near Chandler Municipal Airport has been sold for $34.2 million.

Cushman & Wakefield represented both buyer and seller in the sale of Ascend at Chandler Airport Center, a 130,642-square-foot Class A office building that is fully leased on a longterm basis and serves as the corporate technology headquarters for CDW, an education software company.

Phoenix-based Silver Creek Development bought the single-tenant investment asset from Irgens for approximately $34.2 million.

Cushman & Wakefield’s Chris Toci and Chad Littell handled the transaction. “This was an incredible investment offering of a highly unique and desirable award-winning asset providing long-term stable income,” said Chris Toci, executive managing director for Cushman

“This modern property features a number of special design elements and on-site amenities created for employee happiness and well-being, including a state-of-the-art indoor town hall meeting space equipped with a large video wall, a fitness facility and cafeteria, a living wall with over 1,000 plants, outdoor seating and patio space, and more,” Charles Essig of Silver Creek Development said.

Located at 1811 E Northrop Blvd, Ascend at Chandler Airport Center is a two-story building situated on nearly 11 acres in the Phoenix Metro area.

The property was originally developed in 2016 but soon after underwent significant tenant improvements in 2018.

The property was the recipient of numerous awards, including the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties Best of 2020 award for Office Tenant Improvement Project of the Year.

“We are proud to have been involved in the design and development of this exceptional Chandler-area asset and are confident that Silver Creek Develop-

Ascend at Chandler Airport Center offers more than 130,000 square feet of customizable space and is fully leased. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Chandler Chamber honors businesses, people

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce earlier this month handed out three scholarships and 17 awards honoring educators, businesses and community leaders earlier this month.

Among businesses honored at the 34th annual Chandler Chamber Community Awards – Celebrating Excellence were Northrup Grumman, large business of the year; Ginger Monkey Gastropub, medium business of the year; Steven M Vogt CPA, EA, small business of the year; and Crystal Clear Results, micro business of the year.

The Community Cup went to Gila River Hotels & Casinos. The Community Cup recognizes an organization or individuals for outstanding volunteerism and/or other commitments to the community.

The Chamber Cup went to Tyler Conaway of PayPal. The Chamber Cup shows appreciation for a Chandler Chamber member’s eff orts and support of the organization. Dignity Health earned the Chandler Cup, which is based on the recipient’s support and partnership with the city.

Chandler Police Lt. Lt. Zac Cummard won the James R. Snedigar Public Service Award, which goes to someone “working in the public sector and making signifi cant diff erences in the quality of life for an individual or group in Chandler.”

While ICZAN won the Business Diversity in Action Award. Kathleen Banister of Mountain Sage Realty was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year while Antrim Air LLC captured the Veteran’s Advocate Award.

Among awards given in education to Chandler Unifi ed School District employees, Frye Elementary School technology specialist Heidi Gass was named Educator of the Year and Lyndsay Hartley, director of health services for the district, was named School Administrator of the Year.

The School Support Staff of the Year title was given to Pati Ramirez of Bologna Elementary School.

In non-CUSD education awards Marianne Helm of Valley Christian School earned the Red Apple Educator of the Year Award while BASIS Chandler Head of School Matthew FritzMiller received the Red Apple Administrator of the Year Award.

The Red Apple Support Staff of the Year Award went to Kelly Clausen of Valley Christian Schools.

Meanwhile, the Chandler Chamber Community Foundation awarded scholarships to Cary McKinney, Liliana Simpson and Naomi Sullivan.

The Chandler Chamber represents over 170,000 employees and is the third largest in Arizona. Information: 480963-4571.

Real estate investment trusts have pitfalls

BY DR. HAROLD WONG

Guest Writer

My column last month on the importance of knowing Social Security rules included a case study of how a long-term federal employee could have $75,680 total Social Security (SS) and federal pension income by knowing the rules instead of $47,760, or $27,920 less.

You can read this by going to drharoldwong.com and clicking the “Articles” link at the top of the home page.

Ever since the 2008 fi nancial panic and stock market collapse, normal investment alternatives for retirement income are terrible. Here are the yields as of 5/24/2021: .10 percent to .50 percent for bank interest; 1.60 percent yield for US 10-year Treasury Bonds; 2.30 percent yield for US 30-year Treasury Bonds; and 2.02 percent average dividends for S&P 500 companies since Jan. 1, 2000.

Because of ridiculously low levels of interest rates, most people are taking way too much risk in the stock market.

When I see folks that qualify for their free strategy session, it’s not unusual that they have 80-95 percent of their life savings exposed to stock market risk. If the stock market has another major crash, they may never recover.

Note that during the 2000-2002 DotCom Crash and the 2008-2009 fi nancial panic and real estate crash, the stock market dropped by about 50 percent.

In order to double or triple these terrible returns listed above, one has no choice but to explore alternative investments. These would include real estate investment formulas, private pensions, and solar business equipment leasing.

One could consider Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which often specialize in diff erent types of real estate. To maintain favorable tax status, they have to distribute 90 percent of earnings via a dividend to the securities owners.

Typically, investors purchase REITs for their dividends, which currently average more than double the dividends on S&P 500 companies and the 30-year Treasury bond.

Warning: The purchase of REITS is a security, much like owning a stock or mutual fund and you can lose principal.

On April 15, 2020, vs. one year previous, there were major losses in the REIT property indices due to the coronavirus pandemic. The sectors that declined were -15 percent for multifamily; -17 percent for offi ce; -25 percent for health care; -48 percent for retail; and -53 percent for hotel. In contrast, it was +34 percent for data centers; +31 percent for cell towers; and +14 percent for industrial. Source: Nareit.com.

Note that one can often obtain higher and more stable returns by owning private real estate directly and not through a REIT.

Private pension funds operate like Social Security or any other pension. The longer you wait to trigger your retirement income, the more you get.

A nurse was age 62 in 2014 and deposited $270,000 in a private pension. When she triggers her retirement income at age 70, she will receive $27,000 per year guaranteed for life. That’s a 10 percent rate of cash fl ow.

Solar business equipment leasing, allows investors to be part of the massive push by government for “The New Green Deal” and a cleaner environment. Cash fl ows can average 5-7 percent annually.

However, one must also add the tax savings. If one buys $100,000 of solar equipment that is leased to businesses, there’s a 26 percent tax credit and a potential $87,000 immediate deduction by using Section 179 of the tax code.

It’s not unusual that high-income taxpayers will save $50,000 in tax, which doubles the tax-adjusted rate of return and reduces their total personal tax bill.

Free live seminars and lunch: 10:45 a.m. June 12 at The Old Spaghetti Factory, 3155 W. Chandler Blvd. #9, Chandler; and 10:30 a.m. June 13 at The Hyatt Place 3535 W. Chandler Blvd.

Topic is “Double Your Social Security & Other Retirement Income and Pay No Tax!”

To RSVP, please contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com. His website is drharoldwong.com.

Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

We Offer Federal Travel Identifications TSI Title & Registration

• Vehicle Registration • Title Transfer / Bond Title • Duplicate registration / iitle • Replacement Plate Or TAB • Permit 3, 30, 90 day • Level One Inspection:

Abandoned title inspection • Mobile home • Handicap placard / plate • MVR / Driver license record • Fleet registration

Authorized Third Party Provider for Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT/MVD) 1900 W. Germann Rd. # 9

CHANDLER (near Oregano’s Pizza) N.E. corner of Germann & Dobson Rd. 480-855-1638 Fax: 480-855-1639

HOURS:

MondayFriday

Saturday

Title & Registration

8:30am6:00pm

9:00am 4:00pm Driver License

9:00am 4:30pm

9:30am 3:30pm Road Test Skill

9:00am 4:00pm

9:00am 3:00pm

Closed Sundays

WE ARE TAKING CLIENTS!

Color/Highlight........................................ $30 Perms...................................................... $25 Haircut and Style..................................... $10 Shampoo and Style.................................. $10 European “Spa” Facial ............................. $30 (75 min.) Includes Steam & More! Age Smart Skin Resurfacing Exfoliator (anti-aging)............................. $30 Medibac Clearing Facial (acne) ................ $30 Hot Stone Facial/Back Facial.................... $30 Microdermabrasion Packages (Please call for pricing)

480-857-1138

Please call to book your personal service. All Covid protocols will be explained at time of booking.