Tami Gemmell
Owner, Azana Salon and Spa
Brookfield
www.azanaspa.com
Employees: 68
Tami Gemmell opened Azana Salon and Spa in March 2000. Today, the 9,000-square-foot facility is the largest full-service salon and day spa in the Brookfield area.
This October marks five years since Gemmell and the employees at Azana Salon and Spa suffered an unspeakable tragedy when a lone gunman, Radcliffe Haughton, entered the salon and opened fire. The incident killed three women – Zina Daniel, Maelyn Lind and Cary Robuck – and injured four others.
For Gemmell, it was never a question of whether or not she’d reopen the salon; she owed that to her Azana family.
Today, the salon is thriving.
“Tami’s persistence, positivity, support of her loyal employees, motivational leadership and unmatched industry competitiveness make her a true entrepreneurial anomaly,” said longtime employee and spa director Julie Gemignani.
Gemmell rebuilt and renewed the business.
“She established an unparalleled social media marketing presence in the salon and spa industry and at the same time was available to every past and present employee for support and motivation,” Gemignani said. “The positive atmosphere of Azana Salon and Spa is undeniable and our success mirrors our fierce leader’s vision, diligence and persistence.”
Gemmell employs a diverse team of more than 65 salon and spa professionals.
“She led her employees and their families out of the ashes in the face of tragedy, indescribable loss and grief,” Gemignani said. “She supported past and present employees selflessly while denying her own needs. She persistently and diligently faced negativity with positivity and unrelenting motivational leadership.”
