When Kimmy McKinney-Falzone was little, she loved playing diva, getting glammed up with makeup, walking her hallways in high heels and sleeping in hair rollers. Having been taught self-care from her mom, she always felt beautiful and special.
So, it’s no surprise she wanted to pass that feeling on to the next generation. In November 2019, at just 22-years-old, the Chicago native opened Dazzling Divas Glam Mansion, a sparkly paradise in downtown Downers Grove created for kids and tweens. Complete with manicure and pedicure stations, a vanity, sequin backdrops, selfie walls and a pink runway (with a Taylor Swift playlist on repeat), Dazzling Divas is a young girl’s dream.
“I want to make young children feel glam and special,” says Falzone. “I make sure that kids know that makeup isn’t needed — every child is already beautiful — it’s just a fun treat to get pampered.”
Dazzling Divas is open by private appointment and birthday parties only, where young divas get the entire spa to themselves. They sip on fairy fizz mocktails or unicorn poop hot chocolate, pull their hair back in spa headbands and cover their eyes with cucumbers as they indulge in services including manicures, pedicures, facials, glitter makeup application and fairy hair sparkles.
Falzone also created special themed days throughout the month, including pajama parties, tea parties, Moms & Mimosas, Dads & Donuts and more. Princesses and fairies have even come to the spa for special meet and greets.
“I wanted to give kids an opportunity to come into Dazzling Divas and have a different, unique and fun experience each time,” says Falzone. “It’s especially fun to see parents get into it. I love being a part of creating these lasting memories.”
Dazzling Divas was met with a warm welcome from the community and surrounding suburbs, as word spread.
But just three months into its opening, the pandemic hit, and Falzone was forced to pivot as the world shut down.
“I needed to keep my name out there, so I started making glam bags with bath bombs, lip gloss and nail polish, and I did contactless delivery to homes,” says Falzone. “I threw in a coupon to bring a friend to the spa for free, hoping they’d hang on to it.”
And that they did. Since 2019, Falzone estimates she’s serviced more than 3,000 divas, with birthday party waitlists now a mile long and months in advance.
In addition to regular services, birthday kids can add further customization to their special day with options ranging from balloon arches to popcorn and candy bars, and making their own lotion.
“We’re all about the experience,” Falzone says. “Dazzling Divas is a place that kids, their families and friends can come to and know they’ll have a great time.”
Falzone’s dream is to expand, franchise and have Dazzling Divas all over the country. But for now, she’s relishing in its success.
“It is truly a dream come true to be able to own this venue and see it grow,” says Falzone. “Seeing the smiles on these kids’ faces never gets old.”
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