Zilda Brazilian Spa opened its doors on April 5, 2008, offering a variety of affordable, professional spa services, including relaxation massages, waxing and manicures as well as skincare and body treatments to help promote self-care for men and women.
Owner Christina Shidner, a fun-loving, people-oriented individual with a passion for promoting mind and body care, works to introduce her array of services to those in need of personal time, or those who wish to gift a massage or skin-care service to their family or friends. “I love to help clients by providing services that teach people how to take care of their skin and how to better relax their bodies during times of stress. We also promote specials, new products and techniques on social media each month,” says Shidner.
Beginning her career in the skin care industry more than 20 years ago, Shidner earned her undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in business from Liberty University. She continued her education, becoming a licensed massage therapist and licensed nail technician. Later she became a master esthetician (an advanced cosmetic and skin care professional), with a focus on skin care and waxing, allowing her to perform microdermabrasion, chemical peels and other forms of more aggressive facial treatments.
Shidner welcomes and services not only loyal customers who return monthly but also new clients. With a passion for helping and giving back to the community, Shidner says, “I couldn’t imagine my life without this business.”
When asked about her favorite Zilda Brazilian Spa service, Shidner says, “My favorite service is to provide a fresh wax to my clients, but let me add that I also enjoy a relaxation massage because our massage therapists are so amazing and technical.”
Opening her business with just three rooms, Shidner was able to eventually purchase the building she now occupies and is enjoying a rapid expansion. “Even though we have maxed out every space, we are constantly looking for new ways to provide additional services to our new and long-term clients,” she says.
Shidner loves to spend time with her family. Her husband Jeremy is an aerospace engineer with NASA and they have two young daughters, Calista and Mia. She enjoys reading historical romance in her spare time and is enthusiastic about traveling to some of the most exotic places in the world. “I am a world explorer and love to travel. It’s hard to choose just one vacation, but my most favorite travels have been to Australia, New Zealand and Bora Bora when I was on my honeymoon. It was the most epic vacation,” Shidner says.
What would Shidner change about her business? Shidner emphasizes her desire to promote more of her services to male clientele. “Having been in the industry for all these years, I have seen it evolve,” says Shidner. With only 30 percent of her business being male clientele, Shidner aims to further challenge the negative stigmas surrounding the cosmetic industry, which suggests that beauty and skincare are for women only. “The services we provide are gender neutral. They’re for anyone who wishes to have healthier skin and clients who simply want to relax.”
TO THE POINT:
Zilda Brazilian Spa
Address: 5215 George Washington, Memorial Hwy., Yorktown, VA 23692
Owner: Christina Shidner
Phone: 757-234-4099
