- Words by Lauren Kramer Photography by Lia Crowe

When Lenny Cabrera left the Dominican Republic for Canada in 2016, she knew two things: she was ready for a fresh start and she wanted to own her own business.

The Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic is known for its tropical climate and picturesque, white-sand beaches, and LennyB次元官网网址檚 new Canadian friends assumed sheB次元官网网址檇 spent a lot of time sipping margaritas on the beach.

Her reality had looked much different, though.

B次元官网网址淚 hadnB次元官网网址檛 been to the beach for 18 months before I arrived,B次元官网网址� Lenny admits.

As a corporate lawyer in the Dominican Republic, the 33-year-old served as legal counsel for brands including Kentucky Fried Chicken, TGI Fridays and Mango clothing. She was deeply involved with their marketing, branding, staffing and legal policies, and loved watching the brands develop and grow.

B次元官网网址淚 moved to British Columbia knowing that my endgame was to buy or develop a business,B次元官网网址� she says.

She didnB次元官网网址檛 know the exact nature of the business, but she was young, ambitious and driven.

Six years since stepping off the plane in Vancouver, Lenny is the proud co-owner of a swanky salon in a prime location in Kelowna. The Sweet Spot Beauty Bar opened nine months ago on Lakeshore Road across from Gyro Beach, with 2,300 square feet of pedicure bowls, nail stations, massage and facial treatment rooms, a lash and eyebrow station and a hair station. Clients can order pastries, muffins and snacks during their treatments, and as a fully licensed bar they can also enjoy cocktails, wine and beer.

The idea for The Sweet Spot began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lenny had met her business partner, Alicia Jameson, soon after arriving in Kelowna in 2017. At the time, Alicia was an aesthetician who dreamed of opening her own salon, but didnB次元官网网址檛 want to embark on the business alone. One night, as the two women shared a bottle of wine, she mentioned her dream to Lenny, and suggested they give it a go.

Lenny loved the idea and the two immediately began brainstorming, planning, writing their business plan and securing financing to bring the idea to reality. Lenny recalled her spa experiences in the Dominican, where wine or cocktails during a pedicure was a standard treat and part of the pleasure of unwinding at the end of a busy work week. She wanted her clients at The Sweet Spot to enjoy the same libations.

B次元官网网址淲e wanted a beauty bar that was a one-stop shop, a place where people could wind down with good quality service and a glass of wine for a girlsB次元官网网址� night out or a fun couples experience.B次元官网网址�

Step inside the beauty bar and youB次元官网网址檙e enveloped by shades of peach and pink. Plush cushions and comfy seating entice clients to the pedicure bowls, and a wall of pink flowers separates the nail bars from the treatment rooms and lash stations. The wide array of services on offer includes manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, nail art, eyebrow shaping, eyebrow tinting, eyelash extensions, eyelash tinting, body waxing, face waxing, facials and massages. The space is inviting, relaxing, luxurious and designed with sharp attention to every small detail.

Lenny and Alicia remain equal partners deeply committed to The Sweet SpotB次元官网网址檚 success and optimistic about the future. While Lenny handles the finances, Alicia oversees training and service procedures. Each brings individual strengths that combine to make the business flourish.

B次元官网网址淲edding season is coming and our bookings are ramping up with tourists to Kelowna, bachelorette parties and bridesB次元官网网址� days of pampering before their nuptials,B次元官网网址� Lenny says. B次元官网网址淒uring the winter the local community showed their support and we worked hard at introducing our new business through social media.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a new business and itB次元官网网址檚 not perfect,B次元官网网址� she reflects. B次元官网网址淚f anyone asked me what itB次元官网网址檚 like to be an entrepreneur, IB次元官网网址檇 say, buckle up, because it comes with growing pains, a lot of work and many issues that are beyond our control. The business is still in its early stages and I donB次元官网网址檛 think IB次元官网网址檒l be able to relax until it becomes an icon in the Kelowna community. But IB次元官网网址檝e never had any doubt that Alicia and I could pull this off. IB次元官网网址檓 happy and proud of what weB次元官网网址檝e achieved so far, and right now, the future is looking pretty bright!B次元官网网址�

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
Like Boulevard Magazine on and follow them on