Innovation

Innovation 1: ECO-HEADS (SDG 6)

juju salon & organics currently uses ECO-HEADS, which are sustainable shower heads designed specifically for hair salons. This innovation impacts the Clean Water and Sanitation Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6) as it works to control the amount of water used when washing a client’s hair. By controlling water usage, juju salon & organics will be able to lower their monthly costs while helping the environment.

Innovation 2: 100% Wind-Powered (SDG 7)

In addition to juju salon & organics’ water management initiative, the salon itself is 100% wind-powered. This innovation directly impacts the Sustainable Cities and Communities Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7). As a Clean Power Partner, juju salon & organics is able to utilize natural resources to power their day-to-day business operations. This is done with the help of INSPIRE, a monthly, subscription based 100% clean energy provider that sources clean energy from across the country for the salon's operations. Operating solely on wind-power is an integral part of juju salon & organics’ business model and aligns directly with the company’s mission: “to embody, promote, and facilitate a healthier planet, green living, community give-back and sustainable practices.”

Innovation 3: Fume-free and Organic Products (SDG 3)

juju salon & organics’ reliance on organic products and maintaining a fume-free salon impacts the Good Health and Well-Being Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3). Carefully selected organic products, used on clients and available for purchase in the retail section of the salon, promote the health and well-being of the salon’s clients. As written on juju salon & organics’ website, “When the term organic is used in reference to a product, it means all or most of its ingredients were grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, growth hormones, and other harmful additives. Fortunately, there are many ways to grow plants and herbs free of pesticides while also preserving their vitamins and minerals. By keeping it pure, the plants are not depleted of their natural vitamins and minerals, the soil can be reused, and the water is kept clean. Hair and body products made from organic ingredients, natural plant, and herbal essences provide quality and therapeutic benefits to the skin and hair.” As a result of being a fume-free salon, juju salon & organics provides a safe environment for its clients, both inside and outside of the salon.

Inspiration

The owner of the salon, Julie Featherman, has the passion, drive, and character to match the values of the salon. The birth of Julie's first daughter, Lucie, in 2001 w as the catalyst for Julie’s commitment to health and an organic lifestyle. This prompted the former paralegal to intergrate her newfound passion and lifestyle choices of living a cruelty-free lifestyle with her educational background studying Eastern Religion at Temple University to create an exceptional business experience. The salon is an “outward expression of the inner ideology” Julie has come to embrace throughout the years, starting with the salon's name. juju which means magic or a holistic charm used for healing in West African culture, and is also Julie’s childhood nickname. She wanted to “create a salon where the customer felt comfortable, cared for, as well as healthy and un-intimidated."

Overall impact

The implementation of ECO-HEADS has an immediate, short term effect on water usage, benefiting juju salon & organics directly. juju salon & organics can see the immediate effect prior to the implementation of ECO-HEADS right on their very own water bill. When it comes to long term goals, the implementation of ECO-HEADS will have a long-lasting effect on both customers and the environment. The experience of clients will be improved due to the fact that ECO-HEADS prides themselves on leaving hair “cleaner and healthier”, and it may cause the customer retention rate to rise, as well as generate additional profits. When it comes to the environment, ECO-HEADS aims to make an overall positive impact on the environment. Overall, this tool is a great way of hitting all three aspects of the triple bottom line: people, profit, and the planet.

The decision to become a wind-powered facility is extremely beneficial for juju salon & organics both short term and long term. To begin, wind-power is renewable energy. The implementation of wind-power will have a substantial impact on juju salon & organics’ energy bill, which is crucial for the development of the company as a whole, at least from a profit standpoint. Long term, juju salon & organics can be expecting a significant reduction when it comes to carbon emissions - which is excellent.

Finally, when it comes to their last innovation of fume-free and organic products, juju salon & organics can be expecting to see some serious short term and long term benefits. In addition, many salons are not as invested in fume-free products, leaving customers exposed to some hazardous fumes and altogether unpleasant toxins. juju salon & organics’ decision to select products that are fume-free and organic shows the dedication that the company has as a whole to its customers, which, long term, will benefit them down the road.

Business benefit

juju salon & organics is the first salon in the Philadelphia area to be wholly organic which changed the standards of beauty salons in the area. This allowed juju salon & organics to have access to a new market of customers. The innovations that have been implemented directly benefits the health and well-being of their customers. These benefits are evident and are what allows juju salon & organics to continue to get recognized by its customers and the community. This allows the salon to gain regular customers, as well as be found easily through online research due to their status. The innovation of creating an all-natural, non-toxic, and organic salon has allowed other businesses in the area to adopt some practices. juju salon & organics’ ability to maintain a profit while running a safe and honest business has acted as a model for other salons and businesses in the area.

Social and environmental benefit

juju salon & organics’ mission “to help people live healthier, minimize their carbon footprint, and think sustainably” embraces three of the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health (SDG 3) & Wellbeing (SDG 6), Clean Water & Sanitation, and Affordable & Clean Energy (SDG 7). Through their efforts in maintaining an organic and fume free salon, implementing ECO-HEADS for water management, and running solely on wind power, the salon lives out these goals. The organic and fume free nature of their products decreases cancer risks, eliminates damage to the environment, promotes a healthy being. juju salon & organics’ enactment of ECO-HEADS utilizes less water in the washing treatment, allowing more individuals to have access to fresh water. Their use of wind-power contributes to renewable energy, decreased air and water pollution, as well as, cuts greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. These practices allow juju salon & organics to provide and maintain a safe environment for all.

Interview

Juliene Featherman, Owner