Pulse April 2019 | Page 34

nail service for patients in active treatment. Lomax said the recipients love the pampering. The company also provides eight hours of paid time off annually for employees to do volunteer work. Spa manager natasha Burns, of The Spa at 21c cincinnati, said that although her business does not make direct financial donations, they instead do just about anything else possible to support charitable efforts, including donating hotel stays, restaurant meals and spa services. according to Burns, they contribute to coat drives, hold halloween parties to raise funds, and partner with “countless” community members for public events such as art exhibits that are often charitable fundraisers—the site combines a contemporary art museum, boutique hotel, restaurant and bar with a full-service spa. The Spa at 21c will also run a promotion in which 10 percent of proceeds go toward women’s employment efforts, said Burns. Spa manager Trudy Smith said The Spa at Kilaga Springs created a unique and effective way to grow both corporate and community goals together. The Spa is part of the Sun city Lincoln hills community association, a retirement community with 11,000+ neighbors all 55 and older. The company has incentivized goals for staying on budget, reducing injuries, team building, and community involvement. charitable efforts have included a coat drive, the donation of older sheets and towels to local pet charities, and of robes and makeup to a women’s shelter. Some departments combine fundraising with direct action. one group, Smith said, ran a drive for gift cards for nearby wildfire victims—the spa is only 60 miles from the epicenter of the destructive camp fire—and then hand-delivered pet food for affected animals. The spa sets aside time for giving on company time, but employees often go above and beyond spa anjali works with local breast cancer treatment centers and charities. 32 PULSE ■ APriL 2019 by donating and volunteering on their own time, as well. no matter how it is expressed, charitable giving should relate to your brand, and always support brand values. for President Vivian Valenty, whose company VB cosmetics makes Dazzle Dry nail products, the sense of connection is surprising, but perfect. “We have an ongoing program with Weforest planting trees in the Kashi hills of india,” she said. The program also improves the lives of the people in the region. But why did Dazzle Dry choose to plant trees in india, rather than another location? “as a certified Women-owned Enterprise, our brand is all about helping women,” said Valenty, adding “the Khasi are one of the world’s few matrilineal societies so women are well represented in the project.” Therefore, Dazzle Dry’s chari- table contributions match up perfectly with its own values, as well as its brand image. “Dazzle Dry is an eco-friendly, (CONTiNUED ON PAGE 36)