Business Buzz – August 2019

0
1399
(Elana O'Loskey, Photographer)
Tiffany Aubrey and Tristan Tool are on the ball as the new owners of In Forma Fitness, bringing extensive experience in personal training and coaching, as well as community involvement, to their new venture.

New Owners at In Forma Fitness
    Tiffany Aubrey and Tristan Tool say they are overjoyed to be the new owners of In Forma Fitness at 23A Orinda Way in the Village District. “The change in ownership is very much collaborative with the current clientele. We understand that we are the ones being welcomed into the gym, not the other way around,” says Tool. 
    The name Tristan Tool will be familiar to those who frequent Orinda Fitness at 15 Altarinda Road. The experience Tool and his fitness team have gained there will come in handy at In Forma. Staff at In Forma now includes Tyler Huff, Dylan Gunn, Samer Mathkour, Audrey Allen, Dave D’Angelo, Julie Gavigan, and Lucas Hanshaw.
    When it comes to changes and remodeling, Aubrey and Tool say that they will seek input from gym members before implementing changes or renovations. They do plan on making changes in the spirit of updating the space and making it more functional and efficient. The couple says modifications will happen slowly and with client feedback. 
    Tool has been training and coaching for more than 10 years. “I have spent the last six years developing a program that is centered on balance, stability, coordination and neurological fitness,” he says. “My partner Tiffany is the director of operations at Stanford Children’s Health. Tiffany brings operational and administrative expertise. Our Head Trainer Dylan Gunn (a Miramonte grad) is a master trainer with multiple training certifications, as well as eight years of experience in the implementation of physical therapy into fitness programs.”
     Aubrey and Tool are co-chairs of the Nor Cal Kids Triathlon which has benefitted the Orinda Community Foundation for the past six years. They also have helped organize Rotary Field Day for the past eight years.
    In addition they set up and coordinate volunteers for the JF Kapnek Fun Run as well as the Run on the Wilder Side. Tool, also a Miramonte grad, has deep roots in the Orinda community. He has been the volunteer Track and Field coach at Miramonte and during the season spends upwards of 30 hours a week coaching. 
    In Forma Fitness is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information call 925-254-6877.

(Elana O'Loskey, Photographer)
Manicurist Marinela Mohr and hair stylists Carlos Soto and Leonard Hernandez have worked together for over 20 years at their boutique salon Hair 2000.

Hair 2000 Gets Makeover
    When Carlos Soto took on the task of updating Hair 2000 as a boutique salon, he took no half measures. The modern vibe created by the specialty lighting, glossy white furniture, mirrors and cushy swivel chairs is calming and up-to-the minute at the same time. This is a salon where personal attention is front and center.
    Soto and business partner Leonard Hernandez were friends before they worked together. It says a lot that since 1988 they’ve been a mecca for patrons who repeatedly return. Soto specializes in men and women’s haircuts, balayage color, extensions and up-dos for special occasions. Hernandez cuts and colors men’s hair. Orinda is home for Soto; Hernandez lives on Bethel Island.
    Marinela Mohr has worked as a manicurist at Hair 2000 since 1998. “I love making people’s nails look beautiful,” she says.
    The array of brand and color choices, plus her years of experience, make for repeat business. Every client leaves with a new file and buffer. Mohr works Tuesday and Wednesday, sometimes Thursday based on client needs. Call 510-852-0329 to make an appointment. 
    According to Mohr, current trends include shellac, dipping powders and gels. She says she likes working with acrylics and fiberglass. Polish brands she offers include CND Shellac Nail Polish, Vinylux, OPI and Essie. Recently she added DND polish because she likes the way it applies, adding “The colors are beautiful.”
    “Clients stick to the same colors, rarely do they change,” she says. “They are like family to me. We share stories about our families, soup to nuts.”
    Two years ago Hernandez formed the Homeless Advocates of Contra Costa County (HACCC) because he saw the need to address housing. The homeless were being thrown out of their camps, and he said he heard they experienced police harassment.
    HACCC provides food, counseling, clothing, hygiene kits, rides to the store or doctor — anything needed. He works as an ombudsman for the homeless with 60 different organizations.
    Check out this YouTube video featuring Hernandez about HACCC’s activities at http://bit.ly/2SsSoa0
    Hair 2000 is at 19 Orinda Way, Space 5 and open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Call 925-254-0990 or email soto92@sbcglobal.net. Mention The Orinda News through Aug. 31 and receive a 10 percent discount on any service.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.