Owners focus on client, employee education

At AZIZ Salon and Day Spa, owners Steve and Vaida Chodniewicz want their clients to leave with more than feeling great about how they look on the outside.

"Essentially my wife and I got into this business because we fell in love with it, fell in love with hair, fell in love with making people feel good about themselves, and really, who doesn't love to get pampered?" Chodniewicz said.

The couple met in New Jersey where Chodniewicz grew up and Vaida was visiting her aunt on a work visa. They dated long-distance for more than three years before Vaida moved to the U.S. from her native Lithuania. Shortly after getting married, the couple moved to Austin and bought AZIZ in 2010. On Aug. 1, 2012, they opened their second salon in the Arboretum behind the Amy's Ice Creams.

This location has a separate area for hair and nail services with the spa area on the second floor. Chodniewicz said the flow of the Arboretum location's layout was important.

"We also wanted to create a spa experience in the salon. That's why we did the private shampoo area. I feel like that's very different than most salons," he said.

AZIZ offers hair and nail services as well as massages, facials, waxing and other body and spa services. Chodniewicz said the business is most known for how well it does hair.

"Hands down, I think we're one of the best salons in Austin when it comes to the employees that we have," he said. "Granted, we do everything well. Hair is our biggest part. It really comes down to the employees that we have."

AZIZ focuses on hiring stylists that are career-oriented and want to master their craft, Chodniewicz said. The business offers weekly classes so stylists can stay current on the latest trends and improve their skills. Stylists also focus on educating clients about their hair regimen and products to use at home because he said clients typically only come in for an appointment every couple of months.

Chodniewicz said AZIZ is Austin's first and oldest salon and day spa. The business celebrated its 40th anniversary in September, and in 2014, the couple plans to relocate the downtown location.

"Since [2010], we've been really focused on thinking, 'What will make this business successful,' and we focused on growth," he said. "We opened [the Arboretum] location, we're moving downtown next year, and we have plans to open up more."

A sampling of AZIZ services

Hair care

• Women's cut ($40+) and men's cut ($30+)
• Krastase indulgent treatment: This 15-minute treatment transforms hair with a luxurious masque and a massage ($10)Malibu treatment: Revitalizes hair and scalps that have hard-water mineral buildup ($50)

Nail care

• Spa manicure/pedicure: A traditional manicure or pedicure that includes a massage and sugar or salt scrub ($45/$60)Margarita
• Manicure/Pedicure: Includes a margarita-inspired foot soak and exfoliation that uses lime essential oil and Dead Sea salts. Includes a margarita cocktail ($50/$65)

Skin care

• Spa facial: Includes an aroma mask, hot towel and facial steaming. The treatments includes a hand, neck and facial massage ($85)
• Chemical peels: Used to treat a variety of conditions such as dull or weathered skin, wrinkles and age spots ($95–$175)

Massage and body treatments

• Salt glow: A full-body exfoliation using mineral salts ($45)
• Hot-stone massage: A deep-heat therapy using polished basalt lava stones to loosen tight muscles ($95 for 50 min./$130 for 80 min.)

AZIZ Salon and Day Spa 10000 Research Blvd., Ste. 141 512-476-4131 www.azizsalon.com Twitter: @azizsalonandspa Hours: Sun.–Mon. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue.–Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m.