11/18/2008
For immediate release: November 18, 2008
For more information, please contact: Brooke Richardson 509.662.2000
Elements University announces alliance, team members attend training
Wenatchee, WA.- Elements University has embarked on a cutting-edge partnership with the BennieFactor group to establish the University as the first BennieFactor Signature School in the United States. Elements University will provide the training, experience, products and corporate support of BennieFactor and its associated distributor.
In addition, five Elements Salon and Wellness Spa stylists have recently returned from a two-day BennieFactor training in Renton, Washington.
The November 9-10 BennieFactor training was attended by Elements Salon & Wellness Spa stylists Tara Johnson, Stacie Morales, Casey Christensen-Roy, Drea Walter, Trisha Daley and Jen Koch. The business training featured an in-depth education in BennieFactor corporate culture and products. Johnson and Morales will also act as trainers for both Elements Salon & Wellness Spa, Elements University and BennieFactor.
“This partnership is an incredible coup for Elements University and Elements Salon & Wellness Spa as BennieFactor, and owner Bennie Pollard, are widely considered to be on the cutting-edge of innovation and technique. In fact, Bennie Pollard has been recognized twice as the recipient of one of the industry’s highest honors, the North American Hairstyling Award (NAHA) for his commitment to innovation, a value that is held highly within my team. We’re excited to be a part of his success and look forward to a mutually-beneficial relationship,” explained CEO Valda Sarty.
“This business training will allow our systems to be totally flawless and provide better training for new team members, as well as better customer service for our clients. We will all become better stylists and team members as a result of this new partnership,” explained stylist Stacie Morales.
A second-generation hairdresser, Pollard opened his award-winning salon in 1992: Hair by Bennie and Friends. In 1994, the salon was recognized as one of the most architecturally-innovative salons in the country. Pollard and his salon have won a variety of national awards.
Valda Sarty is the owner and founder of Sarty Mountain Inc., which encompasses a variety of salon and spa locations including Elements Salon & Wellness Spa, Refuel Spa and Elements University. Elements Salon & Wellness Spa, businesses under the umbrella of Sarty Mountain Inc. Sarty was awarded the coveted “Best Retail Philosophy” award by Skin Inc magazine as well as honorable mention designations in the “Top Spa Mentor” and “Employee Friendly Salon” categories in August of 2007. Sarty Mountain Inc. has also been named as a top place to work and Elements Salon & Wellness Spa was named favorite salon by the readers of the Wenatchee Business Journal in 2006 and 2007. Sarty also received the Entrepreneur of the Year award presented by the Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance in April of 2007, the Benefactor of the Year award by the YWCA in December of 2007, and the Outstanding Business Achievement award by the Women’s Resource Center in December of 2006. Sarty is also a member of the Best Practices Club, an invitation-only networking community of industry innovators.
###