Today we’d like to introduce you to Delilah Gervais
Delilah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Raised to be a tomboy by a single dad I was into makeup but not terribly skilled or knowledgable at it! Started out as field reporter for NBC affiliate in Seattle after college. Decided this was not going to be my path in life and found a job at a plastic surgeon’s office in marketing. After working there a year or so I was recruited by a medical skincare company to be a trainer overseeing 4 states. They paid for me to attend esthetician school and my love for beauty & skin health was born!
After a couple years I moved to Bozeman and opened a small retail space on their main street where we specialized in makeup and skin. Little did I know Montana was going to bring me the love of my life. Soon after I relocated to Salt Lake City in 2003 for my soon to be husband’s job and began working in hospitality in Park City. I knew I wanted to open another store and the best way to get to know the area and the customer is to emmerse yourself in it!
October 2005 Splendor was born with only 7 vendors and 1 employee (me). We started out in a 600 SQ ft space and now grown to just over 2000 sq feet and 250 vendors. During that time we opened and closed a location in Foothill as well!
Our business has morphed from strictly beauty to all of life’s luxuries…from elegant pajamas, to the best in perfume and gifts as well as limited seasonal drops to keep the customer coming back and finding something new each time.
My personal passion is supporting female makers and business owners. I feel a responsibility to pay forward my support for other female entrepreneurs as so much support was given to me!
Ever since I was a little girl I was obsessed with making people feel good … brushing my mom’s friends’ hair, painting fingernails, etc. As I have gotten older I realize that small gestures can add up to a lot in people’s lives. I love having a place that can lift the spirits of others and give people confidence to face the day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Haha this question gave me a good laugh!
I don’t think i’ve ever met an entrepreneur who would say it’s all been smooth sailing. The truth is there have been (and still are) tough moments…hiring in Park City should be an Olympic sport in and of itself!
The Pollyanna in me has always been able to keep the lows in perspective. Shortly after my first kiddo was born my store flooded. Old me would have been stressing and freaking out but “mom” me was calm and understood it was an inconvenience but definitely not the end of the world. Perspective. That’s what life’s experiences provide to us.
From the bottom falling out in 2008 to Covid to 2024 being a struggle for most all retail in the US, it’s definitely been a wild ride!
I grew up without much and having to work beginning at 14 so it’s very easy for me to have gratitude for being able to do something that brings me and others such joy. Unfortunately, that gratitude doesn’t always pay the bills. As of late I have had to really tap into my creative side with ideas and self motivation to keep the revenue flowing. I think that is the hardest part about being a business owner…who do you turn to for ideas, motivation, inspiration?!
Over the years more and more competition has popped up in Park City and online. I told myself long ago that my job is not to run around trying to compete with everyone but to instead keep doing what I do best and focus on the principles that got me here.
It’s insane to think you can compete with the big box stores and the online “A” store but I remind myself often that those retail outlets do not provide the nurturing, support and attention we provide to our customer.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Where Beauty Junkies Unite! has always been our tagline since opening in 2005
We have proudly been part of the patchwork of the Park City community for 20 years this October. Enjoy our specially curated selection of your favorite brands from Caudalie to Trish McEvoy, RMS, Laura Mercier, Fresh, Nest, Dr. Gross and oh so many more!
You can also relax with a treatment in our Skin Bar where we offer typical spa services icluding lash extensions as well as the newly added services of permanent makeup and tiny tattoos!
You can even schedule an appointment for a make-up bag update/lesson or a special event application. If skin and makeup are not your need you can certianly spend HOURS perusing our handpicked selection of accessories, luxuries and novelty items.
Many have said Splendor is the adult equivalent of a kid walking into a candy store. The tempting scent of the shop’s candle du jour hangs in the air, and the walls and counters are stacked with brightly packaged beauty treats, jewelry, bubble bath, the softeste pajamas and glossy makeup trays filled with colorful and sparkling shadows, lipsticks, polishes, and powders.
What matters most to you? Why?
How our customers feel shopping with us. We want them to FEEL how invested we are in them and their community. We are extremely honored to have watched their children grow up, go off to college, get married and now bring in babies of their own! One time during a Summer thunderstorm a customer was walking to their car from the pharmacy and ran into Splendor to wait out the storm…she ran inside slammed the door and exclaimed, “if today is my last day on earth bury me in Splendor”
Of course it was a dramatic statement but it illustrated to me how we want our customers to feel shopping with us.
It’s the place mother’s bring their daughters, daughters bring their friends and grandparents, girl’s trips who come every year to PC have us on their must do list.
From the beginning I have always said we are the “Cheers of Beauty” however i’m so old now that many people have no idea what that means 😉
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopsplendor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/splendorbeauty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopsplendor/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/pcbeauty/
