Mini-spa makes girls feel special
NEWARK — Grace Ayers thought she was locked into a career for the rest of her life when, after 20 years, she realized she wanted something more than being a sales rep at grocery stores.
So, at the age of 49, Ayers started a new business that. Although it was a lot of work, many parts of it fell right into place with the help of several friends and her strong faith.
Ayers opened Girls, Glitter and Grace at 1009 W. Main St., Newark, in August 2008. The retail shop is a mini-spa for girls ages 3 to 15. She offers a wide range of products and services, including spa packages with fun names like Pampering, Three’s a Charm, Pamper Me Please and Girls, Glitter and Grandma.
Ayers styles the girls’ hair, applies makeup then polishes and glitters their nails. The girls also can make their own spa item such as lip gloss, sugar scrub, bubble bath or glittery lotion.
To feel like little princesses, the girls don crowns and pick out long dresses to wear during a tea party with real china, lemonade and cupcakes. After pictures are taken, they can make a scrapbook page to take home.
“I think little girls need a place where they can go and feel special,” Ayers said. “Our goal here is to make them feel special. Whether they are tall, short, skinny or chubby, it doesn’t matter to us. This place is all about fun.”
The walls have pink stripes and are decorated with numerous fairies, wings, crowns and jewelry that hangs down from the crystal chandeliers. The retail section has a selection of little fairy tutus for the girls to dress up in, as well as a collection of ponytail holders, headbands, barrettes, oversized bejeweled sunglasses and books like “God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible.” Sayings like “Love Who You Are” hang around the small shop in amongst the little pink plastic shoes.
“People think we are a dance studio — we are not,” Ayers said. “People think we just do parties — we do more. People think we’re a pageant store, and we aren’t that either.”
When Ayers decided to start her own business, she didn’t know what to do or where to start. Her husband, Doug Ayers, urged her to use all of her talents, such as her past experiences in cosmetology, makeup and retail clothing. Friends gave her suggestions, and she had happened onto a similar store in Florida the year before called Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique with her 8-year old granddaughter.
“My husband and I prayed about it, and so many doors opened for me,” Ayers said. “I knew I was led to do this.”
She didn’t have the shop yet, but had dozens of names picked out when a friend recommended her to a local church holding a girls overnight event. They used the name Girls, Glitter and Grace for their overnight event, and Ayers said it was providence.
During the past year, Ayers has coordinated with events at The Midland Theatre when Pinkalicious performed and is working on future coordination with a Chinese dance performance and “Sleeping Beauty.” She will have a party at the shop before the productions to allow the little girls to get dressed up and ready to go.
“It is so rewarding for me working with the little girls,” Ayers said. “They will run in and hug me. It is so heart-warming. It’s a great experience.”
###
Source: Newark Advocate
Special Thanks
I wanted to thank the Newark Advocate and Lois for the nice story they wrote about the business. I did want to add a special thank you to all the people that have helped, and continue to help with the business, with which I could never have done without them and I want them to know how appreciated they are.
Unfortunately, their names were left out of the story, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank them.
First, I’d like to thank Vicki Marshall, owner of the Hometown Deli, for her idea in starting this business and all her unwavering encouragement. Our good friends, Joyce and Dean Meadows, for all their help in putting the business together, which we could never have done, without their endless hours of hard work and support. A huge thank you to the girls that work at the store, especially Katie Coffman, who has been with me since we opened. I could not do any of the things we do without her help and talent along with the cooperation and skills of all the girls together. A special thank you to Debbie Bell, senior Cosmo instructor at C-Tec, who took the time to work with me and helped me in passing my State Board. Thank you to my dear sister, Debbie Diebold, who continues to give her selfless support whenever I need her and to Bob for the beautiful float. Thank you to my husband, Douglas, who, of course, has not only given a lot, but given up much, to support me and my dream. Words cannot express all my heartfelt gratitude for all his hard work and generosity in taking a chance with me in this journey. To my parents, family and friends who have helped support and inspired me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to the community for embracing and supporting Girls Glitter & Grace. And thank you, Lord, for continuing to lead me and give me strength, I give all the glory to You.