Meet Christine Dargon | Small business owner with two locations – it is part retail and part a unique studio where I teach yoga, trapeze, aerial, acro etc and have a team of other practitioners and teachers.
We had the good fortune of connecting with Christine Dargon and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Christine, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I was never a risk taker. I decided when I was 12 that I would get a doctoral degree and become a psychologist. I did just that until, after over two decades of working in the mental health system (in private practice), I was disgusted with the system for many reasons. Next, I traveled all over North America given training seminars, keynote addresses etc. until traveling so much was taking a tool on me. This afforded my husband the ability to go back to school to obtain his bachelor’s in Education. I hit a “now what” moment. After living a very planned life, only doing things at which I knew I could succeed, I left my career and decided to open a health and wellness center in Rimrock. I had no idea what I was doing, had never owned my own business except for my private practice and left the process to be organic. I wanted to see what the community needed and see where things went. Five years later, my location in Rimrock is still open (thanks to the support of wonderful residence of Rimrock and Capm Verde) and we just opened a second location in the VOC this Spring. I was never one to just take a leap of faith and see where the decision took me. I could not be more grateful though for this journey. I believed in myself and had the full support from my husband and mother, who told me to “go for it”, (which surprised me given my previous experiences of each playing devil’s advocate). I reached out for help and input, studied yoga, Reiki and other modalities and asked a lot of questions. The learning curve is still huge, and my world has been opened to so many new things and experiences, but I could not be happier. For the first time in my life, I was not sure there was even a net to catch me. We invested everything we had in the business and although it is not lucrative financially it has been in terms of the people I have met and the knowledge I have gained. It continues to be a risk, but I have learned that it is one well worth taking.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Rimrock Wellness Center Dedicated to Helping Locals Expands to Sedona
Emerald Waves was founded in Rimrock, AZ because it is the community in which I live. I wanted to offer alternative forms of health and wellness are affordable prices. Yoga classes start at only $7.50. The services I offer such as coaching, Reiki, Breema Bodywork etc. have been offered at sliding scale rates – literally whatever people can afford. We started in one half of a small commercial space. The retail was growing faster than the classes. After nine months of business, we had the opportunity to take over the other side of the space. Financially the business had not grown enough but it was an opportunity I could not turn down. So, the original side became devoted to retail and the new side to classes (such as yoga, trapeze, pole, bungee etc.) and services (such as coaching, massage, pro-aging services, Reiki, Breema etc.).
After serving Rimrock since January 2018, as the only fitness option in the area, sliding scale fees on wellness services, hosting a 24/7 accessible free food and book pantry as well as offering affordable cosmetic services, Emerald Waves opened a second location in Sedona to continue to serve locals and now tourists alike.
As the community at the center grew, the demand for cosmetic services that normally are only found in larger cities became apparent. So, Lana and I stepped up to meet that need by becoming trained and certified and offering fibroblast, microneedle, Zyto health scans and more at a price point the community could afford. We have added great classes such as Trapeze yoga, Pole fitness, Aerial, Partner Yoga, Yoga & Spirits, Bungee and more.
We decided to open in the VOC when 90 Bell Rock Plaza became available due to the demand for regular services and classes for the local community of Sedona as well as tourists. We see our business as a collaboration and offer such a variety of services, classes, and experiences our guests have almost unlimited options to personalize packages for themselves. They can do so without paying astronomic prices. Money should not prohibit being from doing something healthy and having fun”
My assistant, Lana Stewart has helped her in putting together many in studio experiences. We feel Sedona is such a special place and people come for many reasons. We are offering aerial and pole dance experiences for private groups (such as birthdays or Bachelorette parties) as well as individuals members that come from a place of healing just as much as they come from a place of technique and fun. People come to Sedona to be enlightened and experience joy and we love being part of that. We love to help create one of a kind experiences.
Classes offered run the gamut from vibration plate fitness, yin yoga, aerial yoga trapeze, dancer conditioning, belly dance and pole dance. Wellness includes Breema, Zyto health scans, life coaching, Reiki and more. Cosmetic services include an array of skin tightening fibroblast, microneedle, facials, body sculpting, Kansa Wand and more. Lastly, we offer many types of readings (tarot, oracle astrological etc.), red rock and yoga experiences, personalized programs for weight loss and discounts for multiple services.
Now, our instructors and service providers include:
Dr Christine Dargon – 500 E-RYT, Many additional certifications, Instructor, Practitioner, Life Coach
Lana Stewart – 200 RYT, Many additional certifications, Instructor, Practitioner
Dareian Jeffries – 200 YT, Pole certified Instructor
Beth Franklin – 200 YT, Instructor
Siri Corretjer – Ear candling
J.P. Lomeo – Reconnective Healer
For more information, please call 928-GET-WAVE and see www.emeraldwaveshealing.com
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Having played tour guide on many a trip, I will first admit that I would want to ask them what they are interested in exploring. I would certainly recommend the many beautiful red rock places in Sedona such as Bell Rock and Cathedral. I also love the drive along Red Rock Loop. Regardless of religious affiliation, I think the Chapel is such an incredible experience. The three National Park sites: Montezuma Well, Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot are also fascinating in terms of the history of the area. In terms of more recent history, Old Town Cottonwood and Jerome are fun. The Asylum is great for lunch and a must for any supernatural enthusiasts. We have wonderful places to eat and drink. For drinks, Mooney’s in the Hillside Plaza (my brother’s favorite and must stop). Creekside and Cucina Rustica are two of our favorite restaurants. Plus, some Mexican food is a must. We have El Patio in Rimrock which is yummy. If time allows, a drive to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon are a must. I could probably fill up at least two weeks simply with wanting to insert evenings of just enjoying our beautiful sunsets, hiking the beautiful trails and red rocks throughout Sedona, Verde Valley and maybe even some off-roading. We have great local crafts people and farmers from whom we can get wonderful gifts to bring back to others and delicious food to cook at home one some nights at which time we could enjoy the many local wines. If interested, we could take guests to Page Springs and do some wine tastings. I really like Oak Creek Vineyard. This is a loaded question for which I could include much more but you did say a week. I do not want to exhaust my friends running around all of the time.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course, my husband, Tim and my mother, Ellen, for their incredible support and work at both stores. My brother and sister-in-law for their business knowledge and support. My stepfather Ron died this June while in the midst of open the VOC location, which he made possible. We have dedicated and named the building for him. I have made incredible friends who have also been so supportive of Emerald Waves. One of those individuals has become a partner in the ongoing growth of services and classes, Lana Stewart. Since opening the VOC location, there have been wonderful people aiding in our growth such as Koz from Spirit of Sedona Magazine, all of the wonderful women at Red Rose Thriftique and all of the women at Hairazona. I have been blessed with helped from dear friends Dee Doe, Nikki Mathews, Chris McKenzie, Beth Franklin, Sherri Hill, Rebecca Laursen and more. There are many more people I could thank if there were the room. I am so blessed.
Website: emeraldwaveshealing.
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