Tanya Rowsell
MASTER STYLIST
With over 17 years’ experience, Tanya is Red Seal certified and a Master Stylist. After completing her training and certification in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tanya honed her skills working in Alberta before returning home to Nova Scotia.
At TONIC, Tanya combines her creativity with a passion for hair colouring, cutting, and extensions to create transformative styling experiences for her clients. With a deep love for her work, being a stylist is not just her job, it’s her passion. Tanya’s clients love her warmth and genuine caring personality. She values listening to her clients, and understanding their needs while creating looks that they love.
Megan Horsman
STYLIST
Megan is a talented stylist with an instinct and passion for bringing out each client’s inner beauty. Her attention to detail and flair for precision and perfectionism are what lead her to excel in the industry. She is dedicated to creating personalized experiences that best match each client’s needs.
Megan loves all areas of hairstyling, with a special focus on hair cutting. Short styles and ‘bobs’ are her favourite. She masters a wide range of styling and colour techniques including balayage highlights, volumized and smooth blowouts and beautifully blending natural colours. Her warm and friendly vibes are sure to make her clients feel comfortable and relaxed while in her chair.
Jocelyne Lessard
MASTER STYLIST
Jocelyne has wanted to be a hairstylist since the age of 5. She studied Cosmetology and graduated at age 19, then moved to Toronto where she worked under her mentor Dominic Sarracini. Jocelyne gained extensive experience working in Aveda salons in Wolfville and Halifax before moving to Montreal, where she worked in two high-end salons and built a clientele that included Romeo Saganash, Petter Solberg, Michael Raffl, and Thomas Mulcair.
Jocelyne loves to cut hair and excels in foil work. Her friendly presence, positive outlook and confidence are guaranteed to make you feel at ease.
Jocelyne has limited appointments as she works full time as a Ward Clerk in the Emergency Department at The Valley Regional Hospital. Pre-booking is recommended to ensure her availability on a day and time that work best for you.
We are grateful to have Jocelyne be such a valuable part of the TONIC team. Her expertise, professionalism and kindness are just a few things we love about her. We are looking forward to her growing alongside the TONIC team. Her clientele knows she offers a truly special one of a kind service that leaves you feeling nothing but the very best version of yourself.
Jessica Graves
PEDICURE SPECIALIST
Jessica graduated Nail Technology in 2013 and has been a Nail Educator since 2019. In addition to her specialty in nails, Jessica is also a Lash Technician. She truly loves creating beauty and wellness experiences that leave her clients feeling refreshed and transformed. Jessica excels at executing the perfect pedicure that accentuates what you want, combined with reflecting on your personality and truly matching your pedicure desires. She is passionate about unveiling the most feel-good experience that you can have, and that you deserve.
Jessica grew up in the Valley, and when not working with clients she enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband, and puppy. Jessica has a deep love of nature and the outdoors, and she’s in her element working alongside TONIC’s beautiful views.
Ashley Perry
PEDICURE SPECIALIST
Friendly, talented, warm and welcoming are just a few adjectives to describe Ashley. Forever a people pleaser, with a career in customer service that spans over 20 years, she has a passion and flair for excellence, professionalism, and precision. From a very young age, it was obvious that Ashley had a creative and expressive side. An accomplished classical pianist, a skilled calligraphy artist and the owner of her own small leather crafting business, Ashley is constantly striving to challenge herself and to explore new outlets to express her creativity. Starting a career as a nail tech at Tonic Salon has proven to meet all of her needs and it is evident in her work and it allows her to highlight her buoyant personality.
Originally from Truro, Nova Scotia, Ashley has since settled in the valley with her husband and her dog River. Together, Ashley and River are a registered therapy dog team. As active members of the dog community, Ashley and her family also offer their home as a fostering unit for dogs in need of a secure and loving “in between” home. She believes that helping people through dog therapy and providing for dogs through fostering are two of the most rewarding and selfless acts one can offer.
Ashley absolutely loves meeting new people and loves to help people look and feel their best. Providing a luxury service and offering a relaxing atmosphere to her clients is Ashley’s top priority at Tonic Salon, and she firmly believes that pampering yourself and allowing yourself some self care is crucial to one’s overall well being. Ashley can’t wait to meet you, and is excited to help you to be the best you possible!
Gabi Williams
PEDICURE MENTOR
Gabi has a passion for perfecting the art of nails. Continually eager to learn and grow, Gabi is always seeking opportunities to gain new skills and techniques to perfect her craft. This ambition recently took her to Oregon where she was successful in becoming a coveted Brand Ambassador with the award winning company, Light Elegance.
Gabi is also proficient in Russian Manicuring, a revolutionary technique that she is pleased to offer to the TONIC team to assist in achieving pedi perfection. With her extensive knowledge and skill, Gabi feels honoured to have the opportunity to mentor others in the industry.
Gabi’s expertise, top skills, knowledge and experience are an influential part of TONIC’s unique and specialized pedicures. The TONIC team is grateful to have Gabi share and her strengths as a talented mentor within the industry. Gabi is a true gift for bringing her expertise to TONIC and creating a culture where every visit meets each client’s specific needs.
Ellen Céré
RECEPTION/BARISTA/GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Ellen’s natural ease and genuineness help to create the special atmosphere that greets you when you walk into TONIC. Ellen has a diverse background in fine art, graphic design, and geographic sciences. When she’s not behind the front desk at the salon, she devotes her creativity to graphic design (like the Tonic logo!) and crafting our specialty drinks.
Ellen was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, and holds a BFA from NSCAD University and a Diploma in Geographic Sciences + Cartography from the Centre of Geographic Sciences. As a nature lover, vegetarian, artist, avid cyclist and traveler, she has spent time traveling Japan, volunteering, working for a small mapping company in Calgary, making art, and slinging fancy coffee at various points along the way. Ellen’s creativity and originality reflects her diverse, cultural experiences.
Shannon Bishop
RECEPTION / PHOTOGRAPHER
Warm, insightful, and creative, Shannon has a talent for helping people to feel comfortable, welcome, and valued. In addition to her work at TONIC, Shannon is a talented photographer who enjoys meeting and connecting with others. She appreciates individuals for who they are and believes that everyone has a story. Her kindness and depth bring out the best in those she meets, and she brings this spirit to help create TONIC’s welcoming environment.
Born and raised in New Brunswick, Shannon was originally drawn to the Annapolis Valley to attend Acadia University. The Valley is now home, where she raises her three kids – Mason, Layla, & Lincoln. With a background in Recreation Therapy, Shannon prioritizes her energy for her family and working only roles that truly bring her joy.
Michelle Blackbird
RECEPTION / HAIR STYLIST EXPERT & MENTOR
With nearly twenty years’ of salon experience, Michelle’s passion for hair has expanded from behind her salon chair to elevating other stylists and professionals in the salon industry. Michelle found herself instantly connected at TONIC, where she can express who she is and connect with clients through her experience and creativity, while sharing her knowledge through mentorship of emerging stylists.
Michelle is inspired by nature and loves staying active. Michelle’s uplifting, positive energy is easily felt and absorbed by others around her. Her knowledge, expertise, and heart-warming connections with clients make her a beloved part of the TONIC team.
Sasha Baxter
SALON OWNER & ENTREPRENEUR
Sasha is originally from the Annapolis Valley, and after a decade in Vancouver is grateful to call the Valley home again. Sasha holds degree in applied psychology and certification as a Processional Registered Counsellor. After a number years working in counselling and becoming mom to her son Liam, Sasha was motivated to expand her passion for helping and inspiring others by opening a women’s-only, all-fitness-level gym, the franchise 30 Minute Hit. It was during this experience that she realized how much she loved being a business owner, and offering a unique service where individuals felt good about themselves and could connect with others.
Building on that experience, Sasha established TONIC Salon in 2020 with one goal: to bring together a talented team of skilled professionals who are passionate about making their clients look and feel their very best. Sasha strives to cultivate a welcoming and positive environment at TONIC that provides the highest quality service while fostering ambition and growth in a fun atmosphere. Driven by passion, Sasha values connecting with clients and is dedicated to ensuring that every guest’s visit to TONIC is a truly exceptional experience.
Madison Hirtle
JUNIOR STYLIST
Madison is a recent graduate from Elevate Beauty Institute of Cosmetology. She has a passion for the art and science of hair and colour, with a special focus on blondes and foiling. Having been born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, Madison loves being part of a tight-knit community. Always eager to learn and up for a challenge, her friendly, outgoing energy helps her connect with clients to truly understand their wants and needs. She has a skill for elevating her client’s natural assets rather than changing them, creating beautiful and natural ‘lived-in’ looks that bring out her clients’ best versions of themselves.
