Kathy                  Tamara                  Danny  (2003)

Danny Aruj was the first person I met in Miami back in 1988, after being transferred there from Chicago by United Airlines.  I had called an 800 number for a hair coloring product that I had used in Chicago, and was given four numbers for that product in Florida.  "Aruj Salon" was listed first, so I called it first.  Danny answered the phone, and his gentle voice and thorough information told me immediately I need not call anyone else.  Danny not only became my hairdresser, but a great friend from the first time I sat in his chair forward. 

In later years, when I became a massage therapist, I was given the honor of massaging Tamara regularly while she was pregnant with adorable Bliss.  Getting to know Tamara better and seeing her relationship with Danny warmed my heart.  I feel very fortunate to know this wonderful family. 

I now live in California, and it is a joy to be creating this website through cyberspace for Danny.  It is a labor of love for both of us, with no money involved whatsoever.  It is being done for the good of humanity, and if even one person is helped with the information provided in this site, then we have done a good thing.

Danny and Tamara would never blow their own horns, but I thought it important to include some information and writings from others of how special these people are - hence this page...enjoy.  If anyone would like to add their thoughts about Danny and Tamara, please contact me at trustthenheal2@aol.com.  Thank you ~ Kathy Ozzard Chism 

A native of Argentina who grew up in New York City, Danny Aruj got "into hair" in the 70's.  Training and advanced learning has always been an integral part of Aruj's work, and he has traveled the globe to ensure his techniques and expertise remained cutting edge.

For nearly 20 years, Danny and Tamara owned the extremely successful Aruj Salon and Spa in Coconut Grove, Florida. The business encompassed more than 2,000 square feet and employed more than 50 people. In what started as a quest for her own healthy stress-relief, Tamara was one of the early pioneers of the day spa concept—combining hair, skin, body, and wellness services in one location.

Aruj Salon and Spa was recognized as one of the Top 200 Salons in America by Salon Today magazine and as the Salon of the Year by Modern Salon magazine. It was routinely featured in Vogue, ELLE, Allure, Self, Redbook, Parents, South Florida Magazine and the Miami Herald. The Aruj’s and their staff were also recognized as frequently for their fundraising efforts on behalf of causes such as 

Habitat for Humanity,

Suited For Success,

Aveda's Earth Month Celebration,

the March of Dimes, and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (to name a few) as they were for trendsetting hair color and styles. For five years, Tamara also served as a board member for the prestigious Salon Association (TSA.)

Aruj Salon and Spa was designed to be a Zen-like, herbal scented oasis in the heart of Coconut Grove, FL.  As Danny said, "I believe in a holistic approach to beauty.  We live in a very high energy world.  People are moving non-stop, 24 hours a day.  We want them to melt into the chair, and that is where our job begins."

Danny's committment did not end at his chair, however.  Danny has been a "Purefessional Educator" for Aveda's network of salons nationwide.  He has conducted seminars on hair techniques and business building strategies, and has received numerous industry awards.

When the accident occurred, they had a thriving business and countless clients.  Tamara instantly had to become SuperWoman - wife, mother, nurse, advocate for Danny with insurance companies, deal with legal issues and court dates with the driver of the truck that hit Danny, continue to run the company...and 11 days after the accident their home was burglarized.

In 2002, they sold the salon and Tamara launched BrandNew, a distribution company for unique health and beauty products including the DermaNew personal microdermabrasion system, the Elixirs line of organic tonics and teas, and Mineral Care, a Dead Sea based therapeutic spa line. Her curiosity and intuition continued to lead her to new and innovative products designed to healthfully enhance the quality of life. In February of 2004, she launched www.thebrandnewyou.com.

Personally, Danny and Tamara have always dedicated time and effort to making a difference with the homeless, AIDs patients, and the environment.  Like everything else, it has been a hands-on approach - handing out food, clothes, actively participating in fundraising events such as the AIDS Ride, (Danny shown here with his father and aunt on a quick stop near the end of the three day ride in 1997), cleaning up garbage, and most recently, raising money for tsunami victims.

It is a tribute to both of them that they survived the entire process from the accident to today not only intact, but even stronger in their love for one another.  In business and in life, they give new meaning to the term "partner."

The following is a beautiful tribute to Danny Aruj from psychotherapist Dr. Jo Ann Volk Lederman, written March 3rd, 2002:

I complain little, can endure much, feel as though I could only take one breath every two minutes if necessary.  I have had a child that died.  I almost died. 

I am a psychotherapist, and consultant to my husband's business.  I am a mother to three married children and grandmother to five children.  I make time for friends. 

I am proud, but not vain.  However, when I developed a fireball itching allergy to hair dye, the thought of going gray over time felt out of the question.  I have a history of adapting well to other physical imperfections, but I don't see them while brushing my teeth.

Until this year, I have had no more than minor allergic scalp intimations, thanks to Danny Aruj's applications of intelligence and Aveda products keeping those to a minimum. 

I trust Danny.  His personality suits me.  He is smart, soothing, spiritual, professional, and expert in his area.

Danny had a near fatal accident last year.  Driving his motor scooter to work, he was hit and crushed by a truck, breaking nearly every bone in his body, legs, arms and hands. 

My immediate reaction was numbness, then tears.  What had happened to this beautiful man?  What torments must he have to endure?  Could the spiritual side of him lift him enough?  Did he have proper medical attention?

How was his family faring?  I was only his client.  Could he know how much I respect and appreciate him?  I wanted to do something.  Something appropriate.  We have a business relationship.  I do not know his wife and child.  Our relationship has clear boundaries.

Repetitive thoughts of Danny.

Prayers for Danny.

I begin to have color problems with my hair.  I call the salon - it is now four months later.  I ask if Danny could call me.  We speak.  I explain and he says he will come in to consult.

He came in...on a walker...after therapy...sweet...tired.

When I saw Danny my eyes were like waterfalls.  I felt a funny mix of emotions touched.  Ashamed.  Selfish.  He saw my tears.  We talked and he guided me gently back into our usual, warm, professional relationship.  He solved MY problem. 

The salon manager thanked me, saying that Danny coming in breathed life into him.

Recovery is different for everybody.

A life threatening catastrophic event is frequently accompanied by depressive features, immobility, fear, repetitive thoughts of the event.  Compassionate friends and family are the core to recovery.  Not to mention regaining onesself.  How to mend the spirit, body, and mind.  We are all guided by different motivations, inspirations, friends and helpers. 

There are days when to summon courage and strength from sources deep inside seems not possible.  Yet what is the choice?  Progress can be slow and frustrating - three steps ahead and one back.  But life, precious life, it is worth living well.  Each step forward is a victory. 

Keep moving!  Lead with your courage, lead with your mind, lead with your physical strength returning, lead with the spiritual part of yourself.  Just keep moving!  Strength emerges from unknown places.

Now it is 12 months later, and my little problem is getting worse.  I have had medical attention, and have gone to two other salons so as not to bother Danny.  In search of answers, but to no avail.

Sheepishly, I call Salon Aruj.  I know that if I request, and he does not wish to respond, he will demur.  We all have freedom of speech.  We all have choices.  With that in mind, I ask that Danny, who is still not working, call me, please.

He calls.  I describe my deeply allergic reactions in response to his quiet, patient questions.  Questions that form a history.  Questions not dissimilar to those I use with my own patients.  I remember clearly what he said.

There are moments we all remember, indelibly etched in our brains.  We remember where we were when they happened, who we were with, and what was the event.  Some are natural disasters or tragedies like the shooting of a president, and some are more personal, like the moment he proposed to you, or where you were when your water broke.

I had that feeling when Danny called me back that day.  I was standing in Eckerd's Drug Store with my niece Polly buying her eye drops.  Why?  what core within me was being touched?  What did this mean?  It had taken on a life of it's own!

Did Danny know something I had learned many years ago after my child died?  That the secret of coming alive again is to become productive, to make himself fruitful?  To drive hard to regain life inch by inch?  I know that drive.  I've been there - more dead than alive - grateful to invest myself outside of myself...is this what was happening to Danny?  Are we a mutually beneficial feedback loop?

Danny says the magical words, "The next time you need color, I will be there."  Why me?  I don't know.  I just feel grateful.  I felt like he was saying, "Do not worry, I care about how you feel, you will be safe, everything will be fine."

And it was.  It always is with Danny.

He moved into his professionalism seamlessly.  He had worked long and hard to gain mastery over his hands and fingers.  Broken, crushed hands and fingers, not broken and crushed spirit.  He began to brush on the color.

The brush dropped.  Toppling as if in slow motion.  I couldn't breathe.  I wanted him to recover the pace, like when a ballerina takes a misstep, recovers with grace, and continues her performance.  Gently, and without panic, he asks his assistant for another brush and we continue.  No pity parties, please!

It wasn't until I was leaving, that his beautiful braided manager leaned over my chair once again and thanked me.  She told me that Danny wasn't working yet, and had come in especially for me and for the next lady - a young, bright woman with a lovely face, strong crutch wielding arms, and a devastatedly injured body.  She said it was good to have him there.

Recovery is different for everybody.  Clearly for Danny, part of the answer lies in the expression of his generous productivity.