Ida is a certified aesthetician (graduate of Marvel School of Beauty), offering home-based services since 1994. Ida provides various holistic services; she graduated from Zanqara’s Holistica Skin Care’s Dermatician course in 1994, which required her to understand homeopathic remedies. Ida has been a certified reflexologist since 1993 (graduate of D’Arcy Lane Institute). She has also been practicing Healing Energy since 1998 and has added the Ion Cleanse Foot Detox to her therapies. In 2012, Ida became a certified Sharplight Laser (IPL) Technician. She enjoys learning new techniques which can benefit her clients. In 2019, she received certification from the Center for Pain and Stress Research (CPSR.) She can now speed up the healing of scars and help with pain caused by surgical scars to her list of specialties.
Ida Fanelli Aesthetician, Reflexologist, IPL Technician
Please introduce yourself and share your life so we can get to know you better.
The meaning of my name, “Ida,” represents a down-to-earth person, which I feel is valid. In my younger days, I enjoyed travelling and simple pleasures like walking, hiking, cycling, and canoeing. My love of the water led me to enjoy swimming and pursue scuba diving adventures. I love music as well. I feel blessed for the experiences that I’ve had. I love animals; I had a miniature poodle for years that would escort clients to my salon. Everyone loved him. I’m married to a beekeeper and have a simple life now. I enjoy the conversations that I have with my clients. I love that my work allows me to share and learn information.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
My interest in health led to a career path of indirectly helping people by analyzing body fluids in the medical laboratory. Life threw a curveball at me when hospital cutbacks forced them to downsize my position. Serendipitous meetings have led me down the holistic path that I have chosen. While studying aesthetics, I sought health advice from a naturopathic doctor who introduced me to the holistic skincare line and gave me my current knowledge. Working from home was the best option since it allowed me to select services that I wanted to offer.
Can you tell me more about the inspiration and vision behind Esthetics by Ida?
Esthetics by Ida is a one-stop shop for full-service salon, holistic, and med spa services. I also offer opportunities to purchase holistic skin care.
What types of services and treatments do you specialize in at your spa?
I offer manicures, pedicures, a Shellac polish option, lash/brow tinting, henna brow tinting, waxing, sugaring, holistic facials and peels, head and shoulder massage, Swedish massage, reflexology, Energy Healing, ionic foot detox, microcurrent, scar reduction, LED light therapy, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) hair reduction, IPL skin rejuvenation, and IPL vascular pigmentation.
How do you ensure the quality and safety of the products and techniques you use?
I follow guidelines introduced by the health unit in my area, which inspects us regularly. During the COVID lockdown period, I added copper pedicure bowls, facial bowls, and surfaces because copper has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
What sets Esthetics by Ida apart from other esthetic and spa businesses in the area?
Due to my various experiences and courses, I have unique knowledge that other salons don’t have. I can interchange knowledge I’ve gained from performing and learning so many services. I am a learner; my love of research and knowledge is the inspiration behind my Esthetics by Ida blog and Brainz magazine articles. I noticed the general public was ill-informed on some essential health topics. I share blog articles with clients needing information about specific health platforms they are unaware of.
Can you share any success stories or client testimonials that highlight the impact of your services?
My articles discuss some of my proudest success stories. I have a testimonial page on my website.
Tell us about your most significant career achievement so far.
Persistence is my most outstanding achievement. I’ve been in business since 1994, which is an accomplishment in itself, given the challenges.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
Registered massage therapists in Canada can claim back money for reflexology treatments. I would like to see that rule extended to anyone offering reflexology. Some Aesthetic services are very therapeutic. In Canada, people with diabetes can get their money back by visiting a nurse for pedicures. It would be nice if aestheticians were given that option.
What are your future plans for Esthetics by Ida, and how do you see the business evolving in the coming years?
My goal is to keep it going for as long as I can.
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