Belle’s Secret Island Spa opens in St. James City
No longer a “secret,” a new business is quickly being discovered in St. James City. Belle’s Secret Island Spa opened for business next to Salon L.A. in St. James City in April as a result of a life-long dream of Jody Franke.
“I have always wanted to live on Pine Island even as a child. From the time I met my husband, we spent as much time as we could canoeing the waters around Pine Island and always considered it the place where fun happens,” Franke said. “I knew that one day I would live on the island and open my own business and now, after a couple of very trying years, it has all coming together. We bought a house here and Belle’s is allowing me to share my passion for skin care with the wonderful people who live here.”
Belle’s Secret Island Spa specializes in a wide variety of facials ringing from Belle’s Signature Facial which is customized to provide results based on the customer’s specific skin needs to what Franke refers to as the “Rushing Mermaid” which takes about 25 minutes to obtain a cleansing, exfoliation facial. Other services also offered are geared to men and teens as well.
Franke also expressed her desire to become a part of the island community.
“I recently joined the Hookers and, at my very first meeting, realized just how much this group gives back to the community. It amazed me at how well they work together to do so much good,” Franke said. “I was so impressed I knew I had to do my part as well so I organized a fund raiser for the Hookers when I had my opening last month. For a first time event, it went very well and it is my hope to do this each year and for it to just get bigger and better.”
Franke’s fund raiser involved the raffle of a “Pine Island Goody Basket” valued at $835.
“I was thrilled with the response of the local merchants when I approached them to donate to the raffle,” Franke said. “All I had to do was tell them that the money was going to the Matlacha Hookers and they didn’t hesitate to pitch in.”
Those contributing to the raffle included Loco Tz, Salon L.A., Matlacha Hookers, Ragged Ass Saloon, Mike Patrick Electric, Robin Schivinski Realty, Joel’s Plumbing, Southwest Capital Bank, Tarpon Lodge, Monroe Canal Marina, Low Key Tiki, King Fisher Aerial, Property Maintenance Service, Bert’s Bar, Dr. Watson’s, Old Pine Island Marina, WildChild Gallery, Matlacha Menagerie, Traders Hitching Post, Woody’s Waterside, Great Licks Ice Cream, Paisley Parrot, Two Fish Inn, Winn-Dixie, Flatsjunkie.com, Deborah Behun LMT and Eurosport of Cape Coral.
Franke has also pledged to give $10 to the Hookers for every Signature Facial she provides for her customers.
Franke began her career as a dental assistant but said she has always been involved with the beauty industry. Later she attended school at the Dermal Institute to pursue a full-time career in skin care.
“I have found that if you take care of yourself, you will naturally feel good about yourself,” Franke said. “For all of us, some days it’s hard to get up and put ourselves together, but once we do, our whole outlook changes. I want people to come to my place to have fun, learn the best ways to care for their skin and to feel good about themselves.”
Continuing her commitment to supporting the community, Franke also has agreed to participate in an upcoming Mother’s Day event.
“Diane Limpett from Earth and Spirit and I have developed a good working relationship and when she told me about her plans to have a Mother’s Day event at her place, Earth and Spirit, I naturally agreed to participate,” Franke said. “I will be at Earth and Spirit to answer questions about skin care and to provide facial massages throughout the day. It will be a fun day and a great way for me to meet more of my island neighbors. So far everything is going great and I cannot wait to see how our first year here on the island unfolds.”
For more information about Belle’s Secret Island Spa, call 220-7922 or visit bellessecret.com to view a full line of products available at the St. James City location.