Sunshine Salon and Spa celebrates 50 years in Poway

Christy Martin has a secret to the longevity of her business, Sunshine Salon and Spa.

“Be kind,” she said. “Have a growth mindset — be persistent and don’t give up.” 

Martin and her staff of estheticians, hair stylists and a manicurist are celebrating 50 years in business this month. She is the third woman to own the Poway salon and spa since it opened its doors in 1975. 

On Thursday at noon, the Poway Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion at the salon, 13146 Poway Road in the Library Plaza Shopping Center.

Martin’s involvement and eventual ownership of Sunshine Salon and Spa developed organically. Shortly after graduating from esthetician school in 2000, she rented a booth at Sunshine and began providing skin care services as an independent contractor.

Her success in developing her clientele on the skincare side allowed her to purchase Sunshine’s day spa in 2009. She ran the business with its second owner, Tina Moretti-Plunkett, for eight years. In 2017, she bought the salon side of the business from Moretti-Plunkett and became the sole owner of Sunshine Salon and Spa.

At Sunshine, the culture is all about making their clients feel heard, she said.

“When you come in, we are here to listen. We want to understand your goals for your hair,” Martin said, “We want everyone to feel comfortable and welcome.”

Mary Paul has been coming to Sunshine for the last 36 years. She moved to Poway in 1989 and was drawn to the name.

“I was looking for a salon and thought Sunshine sounded like a lovely place,” she said. “Their job is to make you look good, but you come out feeling fabulous because the stylists listen to you and get to know you.” 

Paul and her husband have lived in Kensington for the last 12 years, yet she continues to make the drive to Poway for her hair appointments.

“I call the salon my home away from home,” she said. 

Martin is quick to credit the women who came before her — Moretti-Plunkett and Sunshine’s original owner, Shelley Carson.

“Every person who has owned Sunshine has put their heart and soul into it, and they are good people,” she said.

She said she is also grateful to her mom, who taught at an esthetician school and, back in those early years, encouraged Martin to pursue a career in skincare.

After earning her esthetician’s license and beginning to see clients, she said she knew one day she wanted to own her own business. Reflecting on her philosophy, Martin said, “With anything I do, I am always thinking about the next step. What can I do next?”

She has embraced technology by incorporating software programs to organize and streamline her business.

Martin is also driven to mentor new professionals in the industry.

“I want to pour my knowledge into developing the next generation of stylists and show them how to have a beautiful career and work-life harmony,” she said.

She partnered with Summit Salon Business Center and developed an associate program for new stylists. This unique program bridges the critical time between an individual earning a license and growing their career, she said..

“My goal is to bridge that gap. No matter where their career takes them, I want to provide a good foundation,” Martin said.

Sunshine Salon and Spa offers a range of haircare and skincare services. Martin is passionate and knowledgeable about both, but skincare is her specialty. She has seen its evolution over the last 25 years. 

The trend has gradually moved toward noninvasive antiaging skincare therapies, she said.

“People are not jumping into going under the knife. They want to do what’s healthy for their skin,” she said.

Sunshine provides a range of services to its spa clients, including customized facials, waxing, permanent cosmetics, lash extensions, microdermabrasion, LED therapy, microcurrent treatments for toning and tightening, and massage techniques for facial sculpting.

Martin and her staff also stay on top of new trends in hair color.

“There are many color lines that are developing new ways to deliver hair color in a specific, mindful way,” she said. “The consumer is getting more educated about what is in their products.”

Martin said she is proud of her career path and continues to move forward with her business and to innovate. But their focus is always on their clients.

“When you come in, we really want you to be a part of, and I say family — but, it really is like a family.”

For more information or to book an appointment, visit sunshinesalonandspa.com.