Friends joined to form award-winning Haven

WINNING FRIENDS: Melissa Caiazzo and Milea Rollo had their hands full after Haven Salon and Spa won four awards in multiple categories.

By ANN RUPPENSTEIN

Friends Melissa Caiazzo and Milea Rollo teamed up to open Haven Salon and Spa on October 12, 2010.

“It was something we wanted to do for years,” says Rollo, adding that she’s known Caiazzo for 13 years. “We worked at another salon together and we decided that it was time for us to go off on our own and make it happen.”

Almost a year into running the salon, which offers services like haircuts, colour, extensions, waxing, manicures, pedicures, facials and laser treatments, Caiazzo and Rollo say their passion for the industry has been key to their success.

“We love what we do, number one, first and foremost,” says Caiazzo. “It’s amazing to work with your best friend and being in the service industry just to make people happy.”

They say they chose to open up their business in Vaughan because it was the right fit.

“It’s a growing city and we felt that it was the best area, especially our location with the medical centre, it’s growing and it keeps on getting better,” says Rollo.

She says they were in disbelief when they heard they were the recipients of the Outstanding Award for best service in the hair salon category, which was based on readers’ votes, at the Best of Vaughan Awards.

“It’s a very amazing accomplishment,” says Rollo. “We were very shocked by it actually… it means a lot.”

The pair also took home a gold award in the hair salon category and silver in the health category.

“We worked hard to open the salon and I guess it’s just a testament to what we worked hard for and our clients, how they love what we do for them,” adds Caiazzo. “We love what we do and we just hope we can continue to make people smile.”