Dan and Amy Schuman,e-Pro,ASP

Paraben Free Cosmetics - Spell Cosmetics

In an effort to focus on locally owned and operated businesses, today we are focusing on a very unique company which has their headquarters right here in Solon, Spell Cosmetics. Although Spell Cosmetics does business throughout North America and overseas as well, they started right here in Solon and are considered the trend setters in the field of cosmetics as they specialize in paraben free cosmetics.

The world of cosmetics can be very complicated in terms of how they are made and the specific ingredients that go into them. We won't get too technical in this article as it is not our area of expertise and can be very confusing. However, as very health conscious consumers, we can certainly appreciate when a company like Spell Cosmetics is making products that don't contain any controversial ingredients. Their motto is "Glamour Without Guilt", and their paraben free cosmetics are being used on the set of television shows, by professional make-up artists, salons, and by thousands of people around the globe who want to look fashionable yet are concerned about their health and well-being.

Spell Cosmetics was founded by beauty and fashion icon Elle Gemma. They create their own products, put them through strict quality control guidelines, and offer a no questions asked full return policy. Their products are made without the use of parabens, phthalates, talc, bismuth oxychloride, and is committed to using fair-trade raw materials that have been screened for any contaminates. The use of parabens in products is a very hot topic today, and those not familiar with them will find the following paragraphs to be quite eye-opening:

Parabens are found in many brands of make-up and in tens of thousands of other products. They are even found in processed foods that claim to be "natural" or "hypoallergenic" (buzz terms that aren't governed by federal standards or definitions).The reason for concern is that parabens' chemical structure is strikingly similar to the hormone estrogen; in fact, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that all parabens have been proven to have endocrine-disrupting effects.

When paraben-laced products are applied to your skin, they are absorbed into your body and may be mistaken for estrogen, disrupting the endocrine system, and too much estrogen - or estrogen mimickers - can cause big problems, including weight gain, fluid retention and depression. Researchers are also investigating what role estrogen may play as a culprit in the development of breast cancer.

With everything that is known, or not known, about parabens, more and more people are learning towards buying paraben free cosmetics. Especially considering that many products, especially those made overseas, are produced without any regulations, informed consumers are finding that Spell Cosmetics is a much safer and smarter choice as their products are free from all contaminants.

Check your product labels for these terms: Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Butylparaben, Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, , Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Propylparaben, Parahydroxybenzoic acid and Parahydroxybenzoate. They are all forms of parabens. If possible, check the ingredients of items in your home and try to identify which ones contain parabens so that you can throw them away and purchase similar items that don't contain parabens.

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman are Solon residents. They specialize in luxury homes, working with buyers relocating to Solon, and home staging.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Solon or the surrounding Eastern suburbs, please contact the Schuman Team.

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235.

VIEW ALL SOLON HOMES FOR SALE BY CLICKING BELOW

VIEW ALL AREA HOMES FOR SALE

CHECK OUT THE SCHUMAN TEAM'S AWARD-WINNING WEBSITE

Paraben Free Cosmetics - Spell Cosmetics is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©Aug,2009

K9 Design Dog & Cat Grooming

In our effort to highlight some great locally owned and operated small businesses, today's post will focus on our favorite pet groomer, K9 Design Dog and Cat Grooming located just outside Solon at The Shops at Glenwillow Village Center 29715 Pettibone Rd. ,Glenwillow, OH 44139.

For those who have a dog or cat, pet grooming is always a concern as it can be hard to find one that you like and trust. Pet owners relocating to Solon from out of the area know that finding a good groomer can be a challenge. It can also be stressful for new pet owners as well. After interviewing several of our friends who have pets we decided to give K9 Design a try when our dog was a puppy and have been loyal and happy customers even since.

K9 Design Dog & Cat Grooming is owned and operated by Vania Velotta, known throughout the area as "Dr. Doolittle" and the "Dog Whisperer" because of her ability to be "in tune" with animals. Vania has a very special way of not only communicating with animals, but also dealing with their owners as well. She strives on enhancing the bond between the pet and owner. Vania and her staff also pride themselves on being able to work with aggressive and nervous animals. They want all of their animal clients to have a positive experience. K9 Design will work with any breed and coat types.

Pictured to the right, Vania Velotta and our loving mini-labradoodle "Goldie" Schuman.

K9 Design Dog & Cat Grooming offers a variety of services including full grooming, drop-in services, express grooming, and even retail services such as collars, leashes, videos, and treats. The full grooming process is quite extensive and will be like a day at the spa for your pet. It can take from 4-5 hours from the bath and blow-dry to the full grooming, so it is advisable to plan accordingly. K9 Design offers some great information on their personal website that will help educate their clients about their services and procedures. It is a very informative site and highly recommended for any pet owner.

If you want a groomer who has a passion for animals and will take excellent care of your pet, stop by and introduce yourself and your pet to Vania at K9 Design. Your pet deserves it and you will have the peace of mind that they are in the best of hands.

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John Roberts Hair Studio and Spa Solon Ohio

In our continued effort to write about great locally owned businesses, today's post will be about John Roberts Hair Studio and Spa. Although "John Robers" has multiple locations, including the original location in Mayfield Heights, our focus will be on the Solon location located at 33705 Station Street, in Solon.

John Roberts is one of the area's greatest business success stories as it has evolved from being a 1 location hair salon with only 2 employees in 1993 to having multiple locations and being known as one of the top salon's in the nation. The major factor in the success of John Robert's is two-fold: providing legendary customer service and having talented and enthusiastic employees.

In regards to service, the knowledgable staff at John Roberts is specially trained to make sure all clients receive tremendous service each and every time they are there. The intention of John Roberts is to make sure that all of their clients have such a positive experience that they can't wait to book their next appointment, and also tell their friends about how well they were treated.

Owner John DiJulius literally wrote the book on customer service, having authored two popular books on the topic. In 2003, DiJulius wrote "Secret Service", which describes different techniques used by the popular Salon. The customer service strategies described in "Secret Service" can actually be used in almost every business and is a must read for business owners and anyone else in a service industry. The second book, "What's the Secret? To providing A World-Class Customer Experience", was equally popular and reached #1 on Amazon.com.

While the service is spectacular, the success of John Roberts is built on having unbelievable employees, who help create the special atmosphere of the Salon. Whether it is designer, massage therapist, or nail technician, the staff at John Roberts Hair Studio and Spa in Solon are all expertly trained to help carry on the great "service" that is known throughout the industry. Many of the employees here in Solon ave been at John Robers for a long time and thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere that has been created there. In fact, John Roberts was voted one of the "Best Places To Work" for five straight years.

The menu of services offered at John Roberts includes: hair ( using Aveda products ), nails, spa, make-up, waxing, weddings, and spa parties. The staff at John Robers goes through great lengths to make sure to get to know their clients well so they can best service their particular needs.

While John Roberts Hair Studio and Spa in Solon is popular among women, there are actually a large number of men and children who frequent John Roberts as well. The children's cuts are quite reasonable and the friendly atmosphere makes kids comfortable. It is also a very popular destination for people relocating to Solon as they are looking for a salon to replace the one they had in their previous city.

John Roberts also participates in some very unique and wonderful charity events throughout Cleveland. They reach out to the Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital with their sharing wreath and giving tree every year during the holiday season to deliver gifts to children. They also visit the Hospital on a monthly basis and provide free services to the children, braiding hair, polishing nails, and doing other services. There is an entire list of organizations that get donations from John Roberts, a fantastic local business who believes in giving back to the community.. For a complete list, click here.

We are very loyal John Roberts clients and are glad to support such an outstanding local business.

About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman are Solon residents. They specialize in luxury homes, working with buyers relocating to Solon, and home staging.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Solon or the surrounding Eastern suburbs, please contact the Schuman Team.

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235.

VIEW ALL SOLON HOMES FOR SALE BY CLICKING BELOW

CHECK OUT THE SCHUMAN TEAM'S AWARD-WINNING WEBSITE

John Roberts Hair Studio and Spa Solon Ohio is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©Aug,2009

Mustard Seed Solon

In our effort to suport local businesses, today's post features one of the area's most popular grocery stores, family owned Mustard Seed in Solon. People drive from great distances just to visit Mustard Seed, so we are grateful to have such a wonderful business right here in town. While Mustard Seed also has a location in the Akron area, our focus will be on the Solon location at Uptown Solon Shopping Center, 6025 Kruse Drive in Solon.

Mustard Seed Market and Cafe, it's official name, has been in business for almost 30 years and is Northeast Ohio's largest locally owned natural and organic foods market. While Mustard Seed Solon is a terrific place to buy healthy food, it also offers banquets and catering, classes, and hosts regular lectures and workshops that are geared toward education. Most important, the helpful employees and upbeat atmosphere make shopping at Mustard Seed a fun experience.

To begin, you can get everything you need for normal every day grocery shopping here at Mustard Seed Solon. They have a large selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, a bakery with fresh baked breads, assorted muffins and cookies, a meat and seafood department, heath and beauty section, wine and beer, and even a bulk food section. Mustard Seed adheres to very strict ingredient standards in all of its items, so everything here is fresh and chemical free.

Mustard Seed Solon also has a great salad bar and prepared food area, which is extremely popular for local business people looking for a bite at lunch time or an easy solution for a quick dinner. Mustard Seed also has a Bistro with both indoor and outdoor seating. Here, you will find an extensive menu ranging from sushi to pizza, and a lot of vegan foods. There is also a smoothie and juice bar here as well.

The founders of Mustard Seed, Phillip and Margaret Nabors, are big proponents of food and health education. Their efforts have helped make Mustard Seed a popular destination for those looking to learn more about nutrition. Every month, Mustard Seed hosts different events such as cholesterol screening, an Organic Harvest Taste Fair, or workshops on local foods.

Speaking of learning, Mustard Seed has a terrific website that you can find HERE, that offers a ton of great information and more specifics on their business.

While many Solon residents already know how great Mustard Seed is, those relocating to Solon should put Mustard Seed on their list of places to go when they get here. We are confident that Mustard Seed will quickly become one of your favorites.

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman are Solon residents. They specialize in luxury homes, working with buyers relocating to Solon, and home staging.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Solon or the surrounding Eastern suburbs, please contact the Schuman Team.

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235.

VIEW ALL SOLON HOMES FOR SALE BY CLICKING BELOW

VIEW ALL CLEVELAND AREA HOMES FOR SALE

CHECK OUT THE SCHUMAN TEAM'S AWARD-WINNING WEBSITE

Mustard Seed Market Solon is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©July,2009

Mitchell's Ice Cream Solon

With many national and local initiatives set out to support "your local businesses", we have decided to write a series of posts on several of the local Solon businesses that we patronize and enjoy. Today's post is on Cleveland's very own Mitchell's Ice Cream, Solon location. While the Solon location is our main focus here, it is important to note that Mitchell's also has locations in Beachwood, Rocky River, and Westlake.

In our home, any time is a good time for ice cream, so having one of the area's best ice cream shops located right here in Solon is a real treat. Mitchell's is located at 6130 Kruse Drive, across the street from Borders. While people who live in Solon probably know all about Mitchell's Ice Cream, those relocating to Solon will want to make sure to check it out.

Mitchell's started in 1999 by, well you guessed it, people with the last name of Mitchell, brothers Pete and Mike. Since then, Mitchell's Ice Cream has won numerous "Best Ice Cream" awards both on a local and regional level. Mitchell's also believes in giving back to the local community by being involved with numerous local charities. In fact, Mitchell's is a Gold Sponsor for the Northeast Ohio affiliate for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Now, here is why everyone here in Solon loves Mitchell's: they have incredible ice cream and it's a fun place to go. In additional to their lengthy list of wonderful homemade flavors of traditional ice cream, Mitchell's Ice Cream also has low-fat frozen yogurt and fat and dairy-free fruit sorbets. Mitchell's Ice Cream Solon offers both indoor and outdoor seating and has crayons and paper available for children to create personal artwork, which can then be hung on the "wall of fame".

Mitchell's is the place to be and be seen in Solon after a fine meal, to celebrate a special event, after a ball game, during your lunch break, or just about any time you crave great ice cream. During the summer, you are sure to see someone you know. It is even popular during the many cold winter months we experience here in Northeast Ohio.

Mitchell's also offers Birthday parties and catering for corporate events and private parties. Their ice cream is so popular that it is even served in many local area restaurants and sold at grocery stores. For those living out of the area, yet craving incredible ice cream, Mitchell's will even ship ice cream out of state.

So, if you crave great ice cream, do yourself and your local business community a favor and take a trip to Mitchell's Ice Cream in Solon.

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman are Solon residents. They specialize in luxury homes, working with buyers relocating to Solon, and home staging.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Solon or the surrounding Eastern suburbs, please contact the Schuman Team.

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235.

VIEW ALL SOLON HOMES FOR SALE BY CLICKING BELOW

VIEW ALL CLEVELAND AREA HOMES FOR SALE

CHECK OUT THE SCHUMAN TEAM'S AWARD-WINNING WEBSITE

Mitchell's Ice Cream Solon is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©July,2009