Nurturing the Everyday Goddess
by Robyn Tellefsen

It all began by putting on puppet shows and neighborhood parades for pay. Once, they even made "perfume" out of water mixed with spices from their mother's cabinet. "The smell was so awful, I still remember it!" laughs Jennifer Jaqua. Years later, the Jaqua sisters (Jennifer, Allison, and Sara) are reaping the benefits of their humble entrepreneurial beginnings. Their successful line of beauty products was born in their very own California family company, called -- you guessed it -- Jaqua Girls.

"We didn't have a TV growing up, so we had to be creative and entertain ourselves," is Jennifer's explanation of their money-making machinations. The girls' mother was also a strong influence on them, as she often embarked on projects in which she had no prior experience, like covering a couch. "Watching her, we got the message that we could do anything," asserts Allison.

Since they always dreamed of working together, one day in 1997, the sisters concocted a way to do it. They thought of their years of playing "beauty parlor" as kids, and even as adults. "We knew how good we felt when we pampered ourselves and each other, and we wanted to give someone else that great feeling and bonding experience," explains Sara.

Hence, the concept of Girl Gatherings, along with the Beauty Parlor Night Kit, packaged in a one-gallon paint can. The kit includes ingredients for naturally botanical manicures, pedicures, and facials for six girls. Though the sisters began operations in Sara's one-car garage, their business has since grown in distribution to more than 2,000 prestige gift shops, specialty stores, and department stores in almost a dozen countries.

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