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by Stacey Soble
Culture Creators
With the goals of creating an environmentally sustainable business that helps its team members achieve their lifetime goals while serving the community, two colleagues from the world of information technology launch their own salon and spa.
October 9, 2024
3 min to read
Formerly colleagues in information technology, Oyespa Owners Hitesh Soneji and Iranna Sannuli pose for a selfie in front of an Aveda Salon they discovered at the airport.
Hitesh Soneji and his business partner Iranna Sannuli began their professional journeys in a field far removed from the beauty industry—information technology. But the two felt the entrepreneurial spirit and wanted to create a business with jobs to make a meaningful impact in their community.
"The idea of opening a salon emerged from our aspiration to actively engage with our community," Soneji says. "Salon services are highly personal, providing us with the platform to establish and nurture long-lasting relationships with both our service providers and our clientele."
Launching with Purpose
Before opening, the Soneji and Sannuli did their research, which led them to partner with Aveda.
“We chose to align ourselves with a brand that upholds ethical practices, such as abstaining from animal testing and prioritizing renewable energy," Soneji says. "Becoming a B Corp was a strategic decision that resonated with Aveda's values, which closely match our own."
Soneji also shares a personal connection to their choice, "Being from India, I was particularly drawn to Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher's incorporation of Indian ayurvedic principles. It felt like integrating a piece of my cultural heritage into our business."
In late 2018, the business partners found a 5,000-square foot, free-standing building that was the perfect space for the Aveda Lifestyle Salon they envisioned. In October 2020, they opened Oyespa in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The salon, spa and cafe serve as a hub in the community, with guests spending hours at Oyespa, having lunch while they get their hair colored, enjoying treatments and shopping for loved ones.
The interior of Oyespa in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.
From Dream to Reality
Building a team with similar values starts with the work environment, Soneji maintains.
“We have competitive pay, a safe space with an air filtration system, benefits, a collaborative culture, and ongoing education/training,” he says.
The Oyespa team also benefits from flexible work schedules, and a detailed compensation plan that helps them achieve goals.
"Instead of focusing solely on hourly rates, we develop comprehensive annual plans that help our team members reach significant life milestones, such as home ownership,” he says. “This is facilitated by flexible work schedules that are designed to meet both personal and professional needs."
The team from Oyespa at a Topgolf outing.
The needs of the guests also are met with intention.
"We do everything possible to allow people to fully engage with our brand," Soneji says. “From giving away free samples to maintaining flexible operational hours and offering a range of healthy food options at the café, Oyespa caters to the diverse needs of our guests.”
Environmental Leaders
Through it all, Oyespa’s commitment to the environment never waivers.
"As a Green Circle salon, we actively engage in initiatives like fundraising for Charity: Water during Aveda’s Earth Month," Soneji says.
Recently, Oyespa’s dedication to becoming a sustainable business paid off when the salon was honored by the city of Inver Grove Heights in its first-ever Sustainable IGH Awards. Five businesses, including Oyespa, were recognized by the city council for taking actions that promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, pollinator habitat, water conservation, community wellbeing and more.
“It’s our team doing the work day to day that allows us to achieve these goals,” Hitesh says. “We’re here to support them, get their input and empower them.”
As a minority-owned, environmentally focused business, Oyespa is making an impact on the community in profound ways, telling a narrative of diversity, sustainability, and unwavering commitment to values.
"As the stewards of a minority-owned and environmentally conscious business, our role extends beyond daily operations to nurturing and evolving the cultural and environmental ethos that define our community impact," Soneji says.
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