Good Energy

Offering completely organic treatments, Chi Nail Bar and Organic Spa aims to stand out in Beverly Hills, CA. Fawn Ton, Chi's founder and owner, took cues from her father, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor and the idea of chi, which means life energy in Chinese, when creating the salon's theme. "We take a therapeutic approach," Ton says. "Spas are generally seen as a place of wellness, but not typically nail salons."

Ton, who was a manicurist for 15 years before she opened Chi in February, says she thought the current organic food trend would translate well to beauty care. "Eating organically is important," Ton says, "but using organic beauty products is just as important because the body absorbs them through the skin." Chi offers standard services like manicures and pedicures, facials and waxing, in addition to acupressure and reflexology, and every service includes the use of herbs and natural products like green tea, ginseng and jade powder. The spa currently uses Jadience Herbal Formulas products, but Ton says she is working on launching her own line. "It's important that clients keep taking care of themselves once they leave the salon," she says.

Business is booming. The salon was recently featured in the season finale of MTV's The Hills, which has helped drive business in today's economic climate. —A.F.