Meet Tonya Cooper of Sole Naturale Feet Care in Plantation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonya Cooper.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tonya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, I always had unsightly feet and always wore socks as a cover-up. In 1998, I was introduced to the world of pedicures. Getting my first pedicure I was so impressed with the outcome for the first 24 hours. The second day I was extremely disappointed that my feet looked and felt worse than my initial visit. With this in mind, I returned to the salon to inquire what had happened and to see if I had done something wrong. Without any hesitation, I asked for another pedicure and instructions on how to maintain it at home. Unfortunately, I was unhappy the following day as well.

My previous experiences deterred me from getting pedicures for a while. I was left with unanswered questions and felt that myself and others have many foot-related issues that were not being addressed in a salon setting. I remained hopeful. I then started doing pedicure. While shop hopping I began doing research by means of reading, internet surfing and actually going to a different salon just to see how they differ. I then realize that there is a need for a different type of pedicure that needed to be geared towards feet care with a different approach. I then began focusing on an all-natural approach because I was a health junky at that time. This meant no harsh chemicals, but the use of dried herbs, carrier oils and essential oils that are naturally derived from vegetarian sources and have a neutral smell and also some minerals.

With constant advertising by word of mouth, passing out business cards, flyers, and offering free services I became a magnet for people with unsightly feet. In the beginning, my choice clients were men because polishing was not my forte. In 2012 my client list started expanding from all walks of life from all over the globe. Their concerns were corns, callus, unsightly thick toenails, and extreme crack heels and some issues that were out of my scope of practice. I then obtain the name on social media as “The Pedi-Specialist aka the “Foot Doctor” because of my results without the use of the grater and chemicals and the longer lasting results.

In 2015, I realize that my passion is now my purpose and I needed to take this to the next level. My goal is to help other love the feet that they are in. To resolve my concerns; in 2016 I decided to change my salon name to Sole Naturale as I completed a medical nail course which was followed by an internship with a Podiatrist. The internship was not an easy task to accomplish. I called, I emailed, and I visited several Podiatrist offices leaving literature about myself as well as my salon and explaining what assistant I needed in order to complete the medical nail course. As the time went on I finally find a doctor that was willing to give me an opportunity. Richard F. Mercado, DPM PA, I will forever be grateful to him for his expertise and willingness to give me the final experience I was in need of.

I was then able to obtain a certificate of completion as a Medi-Nail-Advanced Nail Technologist and a Certified Medical Nail Technician. The studies and internship gave me a better understanding and knowledge on how to ensure a safe and healthy cosmetic service to all clients and especially those with medical ailments.

Has it been a smooth road?
The challenges and obstacles are real. The road was/is anything but easy.Most consumers are looking for quantity over quality. Sole Naturale does not offer a typical pedicure. We focus on the care of the feet. Our debridement process is similar to service that are offered in a medical nail spa with an all-natural (vegan) approach.

My struggles are:

> Getting the concept out there.

> Getting the clients to welcome change.

> Getting people to buy into the concept.

> Planning ahead.

> Having the right system in place.

> Getting people to realize that they have to do home maintenance.

> Struggling week to week and keep overcoming the “what IFS.”

> Not throwing in the towel.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sole Naturale Feet Care – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Sole Naturale is an eco-friendly foot care service salon. We combine an aesthetic, therapeutic, and aromatherapy style pedicures in a one on one relaxing atmosphere.

We specializing in our unique non-invasive plant base feet care services; using vegan, organic, all natural products, and minerals that are custom blended for the individual.

Our goal is to ensure that we provide safe feet care to EVERYONE but especially to those who have medical ailments such as diabetes, cancer, the elderly, persons with unsightly feet and pregnant mothers.

We sanitize and disinfect with EPA medical approve products as well as the use of disposable liners and disposable nail kits after every client.

We have infused a professional nail salon experience in a clinical setting. We do all types of foot care pedicures such as Waterless Pedicures, Traditional Pedicures (water base), our unique Oil Only Pedicure, and Specialty Pedicures, which can be done in a traditions spa pedicure chair or our Podiatry Procedure Chair. We make/combine our own products as we serve each client.

I am most proud of the confidence my clients have in me and the results they receive from our all natural approach system that makes them simply love the feet they are in…

What sets me apart from others? Our process. We require pictures before we schedule an appointment. This protects everyone. We have client information sheets, nail tech client referral to the doctor forms, physician medical alert for nail tech performing forms. and our Unique Oil Only Pedicure which was design for people with Neuropathy/Diabetes We do not use any form of water, not even hot towels.

We pride ourselves with never working outside our scope of practice.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city.
I love my city… We are centrally located to all the malls, restaurants and parks…Our city is filled with culture and diversity.

Pricing:

• Debridement 1 (Up to size 10 shoe) $75/100 min
• Debridement 1A (size 11 & UP) $90/120 min
• Debridement 2 (Up to size 10 shoe) Nail OR heel correction $100/ 120 min
• Debridement 2A (size 11 & UP) Nail OR heel correction $120 /140 min
• Debridement 3 (Up to size 10 shoe) Nail AND heel correction $125 /160 min
• Debridement 3A (size 11 & UP) Nail AND heel correction $145 / 180 min
• Bi-Weekly Care $35 /30 min
• 3 Week Care $45 /45 min
• Monthly Care $55 /60 min
• Crack Heel Correction (this is NOT a pedicure) $35/30 min
• Toe Nail Correction (this is NOT a pedicure) $35/30 min
• Feet Sauna $20 / 20 min
• Paraffin Alternative (natural oils combo) $25 /30 min

Contact Info:

• Address: 7035 W Broward Blvd
  Ste 109
  Plantation FL, 33317
• Website: www.solenaturale.com
• Phone: 954-228-5610
• Email: solenaturalepedicures@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solenaturale_feetcare/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/solenaturalefeetcare
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Solenaturale

Image Credit:
Korri Nikkole Photography
Knite Glory MUA

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