Sarty Mountain, Inc team receives training from internationally-recognized stylist

For immediate release: June 9, 2009
For more information, please contact: Layna St Germain (509) 662-2000

Sarty Mountain, Inc team receives training from internationally-recognized stylist

Wenatchee, WA.- Internationally-renowned stylist Bennie Pollard was at Elements Salon and Wellness Spa on Monday, June 2 to train the entire team on the latest hair trends and provide business development training.

Pollard worked with Sarty Mountain, Inc. team members to advance the salons and staff to a new level with an assistant program. A second-generation hairdresser, Pollard has over 25 years of experience in the professional beauty industry.

Bennie Pollard opened Hair by Bennie and Friends in 1992. The salon has been honored as Salon of the Year by Modern Salon magazine. Hair by Bennie and Friends was also recognized as one of the top salons in the United States by Glamour magazine, as well as being named as one of the top 20 salons in the country by Beauty Launchpad magazine. Pollard has been regularly featured in a variety of national publications including Good Housekeeping, Glamour and Women’s Wear Daily.

His competitive spirit led him to enter the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) in 1995 where Pollard became a finalist. He won his first NAHA in 2003 for the Avant Garde category after being nominated twice in 1997 and again in 2000. In 2007 he earned his sixth nomination and his second win, this time in the Contemporary Classic category.

Pollard would soon add manufacturer to his resume, launching BennieFactor Products in 2001 together with his wife and business partner, Maria. Elements Salon and Wellness Spa and Refuel Spa offer the BennieFactor product line to their clients.

“It was an honor to have such a talented and innovative trainer in our salon. Our entire team absorbed the hair trend demonstrations and the business development training will help our salons run even more effectively. Our clients will really benefit from the latest information on the most innovative and creative styles around,” explained Stylist Stacie Morales.

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 Salon & Spa and Elements University. 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.