SOMA Health and Beauty is celebrating six years in business this month, and owner Deani Edwards is thrilled.

The life-long beauty lover has been making her own body scrubs since she was 10-years-old, but had never considered going into the health and beauty industry.

In fact, when she finished school, Deani went into a different service industry.

“I’m a barista by trade,” she says.

And, like many other young people, she took her barista and hospitality skills over to the UK on a working visa to have an adventure, and gain experience.

“I worked overseas as a ‘mixologist’ at a fancy hotel making cocktails and taking tea and coffees up to the guests in our day spa,” she says.

“I just thought working in the day spa was a really glamorous job, and when I got back to Australia, a friend was studying beauty.

“She said, ‘I’m doing this, and I love it, and you would love it, you should do it too’.”

“So I did. I had finished my Certificate IV in beauty and I loved it, so I went back and did my diploma.”

From there, Deani did work experience at the Joyful Path in Victor Harbor, before being hired to work with Fleurieu Health Services at the Carers Centre, as it was then known.

“They offered day respite retreats for their carers, and the carers association hired me to be their massage therapist.”

Deani then began offering treatments at home.

“And from there, it’s all fallen into place, really,” she says.

One client was an older lady, who struggled to get out of the house but still wanted to look and feel nice.

“I would go and do all her waxing, manis and pedis,” Deani says.

“I used to see some of these older women coming into the Carers Centre with their walkers, and they’d have to call a taxi to get there, and then pay for one to get home.

“I thought about my nan, and I started wondering how many other people might need this home/mobile business catering for the older population.”

The reviews Deani has online definitely testify to how popular her services are, and how beloved she is among the older people in the Fleurieu community.

“I don’t like to rush people, I just take my time and give them a really good treatment,” she says.

“I’m big on inclusivity, and body positivity, and have treated people from six, through to 86-years-old”.

SOMA Health and Beauty uses cruelty free products, which are not tested on animals. Their products are also palm oil free, and vegan, where possible.

“All products that we use are certified organic, and made in Australia, except for Pure Fiji, which is made in Fiji,” Deani says.

“I’ve visited the factory there, done some training and met with the local villagers who work there.”

As part of a Christmas giveaway in partnership with the Fleurieu App, Deani is giving away a $30 SOMA Health and Beauty voucher, and a Fiji Pure ‘glow box’.

The box features miniature products from the range, including a scrub, an oil, a lotion and a body butter, and is valued at $25.

Heading into 2021 will be a big year for Deani, and for SOMA.

“After six years in business, I’ve just hired my first employee, so I’m doing my best to support locals as much as I can,” Deani says.

“I’ve also applied to study podiatry at uni next year, but I’m waiting to hear if I’ve been accepted”.

For more information, or to book an appointment with SOMA Health and Beauty, call Deani on 0458 030 056 or visit her facebook site.

Find SOMA on the Fleurieu App HERE

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