Indigenous salon owner glad to reopen the doors
- Michelle Lerat | May 21, 2020
After a couple months of temporarily closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miyosiwin Salon Spa has finally opened their doors as part of Phase Two of Saskatchewan’s reopening plan.
Miyosiwin owner Jennifer Dubois from the George Gordon First Nation said she is glad to be back at her Regina business.
“We’re loving it,” said Dubois. “I don’t think I’ve gone two months in my 18-year career [without] doing hair. It’s really weird to have gone that long, so I’m definitely excited to be back.”
Dubois says clients are eager to make appointments now that Miyosiwin has opened.
“We’re booked up for our first week already,” said Dubois. “I’m booked into June and the phone has been ringing off the hook since we got in this morning.”
Dubois says her team is closely following guidelines set forth by the province to ensure the health of her clients and staff. This includes limiting the number of people in the salon to one client per stylist and following rigorous disinfecting and cleaning schedules.
“We wear masks and we have to wear eye protection wear so either goggles or face shields,” said Dubois. “We don’t have to wear gloves all the time but we have to constantly wash our hands. We are constantly sanitizing and sterilizing our instruments [and] making sure surfaces we touch are washed down after with our medical grade disinfectant. It’s a lot more work.”
Reeann Blondeau, a hair stylist at Miyosiwin, is glad to be returning to work. She says the disinfecting and guidelines in place at the salon put her at ease.
“It’s not too much of a worry. We’re doing what we have to around our salon to keep things clean and disinfected,” said Blondeau. “It’s good to get back to the routine of doing hair ... it’s good to be back with my awesome coworkers and my awesome boss. I’m glad to be back around them.”
All hair services, such as cuts and dyes are available now but spa services, such as pedicures, nails, waxing and facials, will become available during Phase Three of Saskatchewan’s reopening plan.
Dubois says while her salon is booking up the work flow is steady as they ease into reopening.
“We’re not allowed any walk-ins,” said Dubois. “It’s not overly busy to where we’re doing back to back clients, it’s got a nice flow. I think that’s good considering we have to make sure we’re doing things properly … And making sure we’re following the guidelines that are set out through government policy.”
Dubois is thankful for the people who supported her business during the closure and continued to purchase products from the salon.
“That extra support really helped when we were closed,” said Dubois. “I just encourage people to continue to support local small business because right now I think it’s needed more than anything.”