Colchester: Ellis Merrill on success of Moonstone Head Spa

Ellis Merrill, 32, has lived in Colchester for the past ten years, and is the founder of Moonstone Head Spa, in Sandmartin Crescent, Stanway.

The health and beauty business offers a Japanese head spa treatment, which cleanses and nourishes the hair, and is said to be a relaxing experience.

Previously, “career-driven” Ellis spent years working as a recruitment manager for a “big care company”, and also has experience as a hairdresser.

Happy - Ellis Merrill at the spa (Image: Ellis Merrill) She also has a coaching background in neuro-linguistic programming, a framework which looks at how you communicate with yourself and others.

Despite loving the corporate world, while on maternity leave last December, Ellis realised how stressed people get in the industry.

The idea for the head spa came in May, after wanting to create a better work life balance for herself as she has two young children.

Ellis also wanted to do something that would help others.

She put her life savings into converting her garage and opened in July.

She said: “It was one of the scariest decisions I’ve had to make, leaving my corporate job to start a new business from scratch.

Treatment - Ellis Merrill with a client (Image: Ellis Merrill)

“However, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made as I’ve got this time back with my family.

"I’m unbelievably grateful to all my clients, they’ve been fabulous and a huge support.

"After opening for a couple of weeks in July I was then fully booked for the whole of August overnight - I couldn’t believe it!

“I’ve had a lot of people book their partners in too which has been lovely to see.

“It feels wonderful to have created a space where people can come to relax while having an amazing treatment.”

She says Moonstone Head Spa is all about “rejuvenating your mind, scalp and spirit” and a typical visit will include a bespoke treatment for each customer.

Relaxation - the treatment in action (Image: Ellis Merrill) A session will start off by using using a special camera to examine the scalp. Ellis then advises on what the best course of action is and what products to use.

A double shampoo and steam treatment then takes place, followed by a head, shoulder and neck message.

Ellis also offers the option for a silent or talkative experience as well.

It’s then finished off by a further scalp analysis to show how it has improved, then she offers an addition blow-dry if requested.

A one-hour session costs £70, a one hour and 30-minute session is £90, and a two-hour session costs £120.

Ambient - Moonstone Head Spa (Image: Ellis Merrill)

Ellis can work in the day and evenings, depending on customers' needs.

She added: “It is amazing. If someone had said to me a few years ago  I’d be having a baby and starting a business, I wouldn’t believe them.

“If you believe in yourself, and make it happen, it is invaluable being able to have the best of the both worlds.”

To book find out more or book a session, visit booksolo.co/moonstoneheadspa.