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Air Force veteran launches Gypsy Soul Spa

Culpeper Star-Exponent - 8/2/2017

When Alicia Walton visited a Culpeper hair salon before her wedding last winter, she had no idea she was about to embark on her own business venture.

As a master aesthetician and massage therapist, Walton had been working at Massage Envy in Gainseville to gain some practical experience after completing her schooling in Vienna.

"I wanted to start my own business eventually," Walton said. "But I had no idea it would be so soon."

It was Corrie Gyory who styled Walton's wedding do after she'd been a client for about a year and a half, and when the two women talked during that appointment, Gyory made Walton a business proposition. Walton started working at Mane Street Hair Salon in December and by April the two set up a special area in the back of the salon to house Walton's spa.

"It's like our own little Narnia," said Gyory of the three new rooms at the rear of the salon.

Treatments offered at the spa include skin care-microdermabrasion, chemical peels and more-and also massage therapy. Walton is also certified in several massage techniques and plans to expand her offerings in the coming year.

"I was hesitant at first, subletting from anyone, but I trusted Corrie," said Walton. "And she advertises for me, so it's really helpful."

Originally from California, Walton spent about seven and a half years in the Air Force stationed in Europe. There, she provided document security for NATO. She's been living in Culpeper for about a year and a half.

After some time at home raising a young son and daughter, she went to school to become a dental assistant and toyed with the idea of continuing on to become a dental hygienist. It took some soul searching to realize that route wasn't for her, she said, and she began mulling over what mattered most.

Skin care topped that list.

"I've had acne and I've had eczema," she said. "I'm really into taking care of my skin. I was like, 'Hey, I'm going to aesthetics school!'"

Because there was some massage involved in aesthetics, she decided to take the next step and earn certifications in massage therapy, including Swedish, myofascial and hot stone techniques. She also has an interest in treatments, such as aromatherapy, that may offer help to veterans dealing with post traumatic stress issues.

"PTS brings on a lot of anxiety and pain," she said. "People are dealing with all kinds of things, including insomnia. And usually those folks don't like to be touched."

For that reason, and because she's a veteran, Walton gives a discount for all service members and also police, firefighters and rescue personnel.

"They all do so much for us every day and a lot of people don't realize their sacrifices," she said.

It was her daughter who helped Walton select a name for her new business-Gypsy Soul Spa.

"I'm fascinated by their lifestyles-they're free spirited," she said. "And I love everything Bohemian, including the funky fabrics."

The spa reflects her tastes, especially in the small waiting room. It's a soothing environment with soft lighting and an eclectic décor. It's not just the clients who are relaxed by their surroundings-the therapist herself loves her new home away from home."I can't wait to get here and put on my music," Walton said.

So far, in Culpeper, most of her business has been massage. She hopes to spread the word about skin care options offered by the spa, treatments she says help with exfoliation, fine lines and wrinkles, scarring and hyperpigmentation.

"With skin care, you really want to keep it going so you can get the best results," she said. "And we really must pamper ourselves. Honestly, I don't do it enough."

Each month, Walton offers different specials, such as a combination hour-long massage and hour-long facial. She's also offering some services on "$50 Fridays" through the end of August. And sometimes she and Gyory offer a combined spa and salon package.

Mane Street, said Gyory, strives to be family friendly, including a playroom for children so that mothers can relax while enjoying their time as a client. The fit for the two proprietors, so far, has a synergy, Gyory added.

"We both try to push education," said Gyory. "We're always trying to do something new."

For Walton, that might mean exploring "raindrop therapy," a therapeutic technique that uses essential oils along the spine to bring balance to the body and offering body scrubs and mud and seaweed and "all that good stuff," she mused. First, though, she has a few more "housekeeping" tasks to accomplish for the business.

"I don't even have a sign up yet," she said, laughing. "I'm working on it. I do have an artist lined up."

And she plans to continue building her rapport with clients on an individual basis, learning what works best for each of them. Her goal is to make sure all of her clients are satisfied, even if that means she needs to refer them to a different massage therapist or aesthetician.

"It's all about forming a relationship," she said. "I've experienced a lot in life and have the ability to adapt and connect with different individuals. And I know pain.

"When you're engaged in a massage," she said, "you're sharing the same same space. So that can be pretty exhausting. But it's also really rewarding.

"Massage is a dance, and we all have a different dance."