PALM DESERT, CA — Like many small-business owners, Angela Rafferty experienced a level of fear when the coronavirus pandemic forced her to close her day spa and left her to ponder what was coming next. But when she came across the image of a baby incubator on a television news report detailing life within the country’s new normal, Rafferty began to envision how she could not only help herself and her fellow spa professionals but could also safely care for her customers once she was able to reopen her business.
Last week, Rafferty rolled out the first prototype of the Plexi-Face, an acrylic medical barrier that allows estheticians and other spa professionals to provide the kind of treatments they have in the past – all without worrying about the spread of the coronavirus. As much thought as Rafferty have to the notion of putting her creation to work, she knew that if was to be effective, the room that spa professionals need to work while also taking the client’s comfort into consideration had to factor into the finished product.
Rafferty quickly got to work and within a matter of 10 days put together a business plan for a creation she said was completely borne out of sheer need. While Rafferty has experienced plenty of unforeseen events in more than 20 years she has worked as a spa professional, she acknowledges the coronavirus provided unique challenges. So she took it upon herself to find a solution.
“The pandemic became the necessity of invention and I’m not the invention type,” Rafferty told Patch in a telephone interview on Monday.
“I was just incredibly sad (at the start of the pandemic) and in reflection now, I see that it was a level of mourning I was going through. It’s like, what do you do?”
Rather than doing nothing or becoming consumed by daily newscasts once California’s Stay At Home order went into effect, Rafferty chose to be proactive by beginning to think how she could make an impact. Less than two weeks later, she hatched a complete business plan for a product she hopes will revolutionize her industry.
Rafferty used the prototype to test the Plexi-Face on two family members who, she said, struggle with Closter phobia, which is a condition that experienced by a number of clients who frequent spas, she said. By using the Plexi-Face, a number of spa services, including massages, facials, nail work and other treatments can be completed safely, which Rafferty knew would be a concern once California begins to reopen.
Rafferty, who owns Chakra Esthetics Day Spa in Palm Desert, doesn’t anticipate being able to reopen for business for at least a couple months as she – along with other colleagues – find themselves part of Phase 3 of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s reopening plan. In the meantime, Rafferty is working with a local plastics artist, is beginning to have more of the barriers produced and expects to expand the line of products to work with nail techs and possibly even dental professionals who want to provide service in a healthy manner. Once the products are ready for shipping, Rafferty plans to use part of her home as a warehouse to fill orders as they come in.
Rafferty has also become aware of a number of independent spa professionals and service providers who are facing the reality of having to close their doors because of the pandemic. So while Rafferty’s new business venture is keeping her occupied while her business is close, the idea of providing a solution for others in her line of work has been satisfying. As part of the product’s website, Rafferty has set up a Go Fund Me that allows people to donate to spa business owners who are financially strapped and cannot afford the Plexi-Face protector, but could use one as part of their daily business needs.
“It’s kind of turned into this giant flower of different little gifts,” she said. “For me, it’s a huge sigh of relief, honestly … this is my way of offering clients a solution because they are so full of anxiety about returning for their (spa) services, but it’s like a good haircut – you need (these services). They’re chomping at the bit and so I’m just so happy to offer a solution.
“It’s not about me. It’s about my entire industry and if this is something I can do, I’m so excited to do it.”
This article originally appeared on the Palm Desert Patch