By Logan B. Anderson

SMYRNA — Smyrna Holistic Arts Building in the Stover Plaza on Dupont Parkway in Smyrna is hoping to make people look good, feel better and relax,

Inside you’ll find Julie Hice-Carter, owner and operator of Imani-Judah Skincare, Wax, and Massage Day Spa. Ms. Hice-Carter started her spa in part of the Holistic Arts Building about three years ago, and recently took over the entire center.

“What we are is a business that provides skincare facials, massage, hair removal, waxing. We do skin treatments, acne treatment, anti-aging treatments. We provide services for men women and teens,” Ms. Hice-Carter said.

“We’re here to heal.”

Ms. Hice-Carter is a licensed medical aesthetician, certified massage technician and an aromatherapist.

The ways to be part of the Imani-Judah Skincare community are almost as varied as the services the spa provides. Customers can make an appointment for one-time services; the spa offers membership opportunities so customers can come fulfill their skincare and relaxation desires; and the spa offers gift certificates.

Ms. Hice-Carter said she has always been interested in skin care and helping others. She has always been an entrepreneur too.

Prior to opening Imani-Judah Skincare, Ms. Hice-Carter operated a childcare facility in Chester, Pennsylvania. Her center stood out from others because it was open 24 hours a day to help parents on later shifts and those going back to school.

About 2006, she discovered Smyrna. She liked it so much she moved to the town on Duck Creek and commuted back and forth to Pennsylvania. After some time in Smyrna, she noticed there weren’t a lot of skincare places in the area.

She found she was thinking more and more about her passion for skincare and decided she wanted to go into that industry.

“I said, ‘You know what, I’m going start looking for a place.’ I’m going to step out on faith. See what happens. I stepped out on faith three years ago, and it’s happened. We’ve been five star (in Google reviews) for three years. So, we’re doing something right,” she said smiling.

To honor her faith in God and herself, she chose a name for her business that meant something to her.

Imani is the Seventh Principle of Kwanzaa and means “faith”. Judah in Hebrew means “praise”. From that, Imani-Judah Skincare was born.

Her faith was tested when the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to close her business. Like many other business owners, she had to seek employment with someone else to get through the lockdown. But her hard work was rewarded and helped her to expand her business.

“We’ve brought it and now we have the whole building,” Ms. Hice-Carter said.

She now has a dedicated relaxation studio for massage and other related services. Imani-Judah Skincare is working to incorporate the Yoni Steam Process, a specialized relaxation process for women.

She said she is also working to add body contouring to her list of services soon.

Imani-Judah Skincare is at 5609 Dupont Parkwayo in the Smyrna Holistic Arts Building. For more information or to make an appointment call 302-660-1092.