DENISE Carey recently asked her 11-year-old son Jordan what type of business they should open.

She had been wanting to open her own business for some time, but his response surprised her, not because it was something she had always secretly wanted to do, but because he insisted they provide a service exclusively for children.

His idea? To open a beauty salon offering manicures, pedicures and facials for girls of all ages ¿ and Pura Vida, which means good life in Spanish, was born.

The salon, located above Kayz on King Street in Hamilton is set to open on February 9 and will offer treatments including the "Princess" for girls aged 12 and under and "Diva" for teenagers up to the age of 18.

Ms Carey, who is also the executive director of the Sunshine League Children's Home, asked her long-time friend Gary Raynor to come on board, not only because of his good business sense, but because like her, Mr. Raynor is also a single parent and saw the salon as a wonderful opportunity for fathers to spend some quality time with their daughters hence the Man-icure was added to the list of treatments.

"Gary and I have a long history and we have decided to be partners in life. And by that we have agreed to share our skills and expertise with our children, Ms Carey said.

"We felt this was missing in our community. Children go off to college, but there is so much to learn before that," she said. "This project started off, not just from a business aspect, but also to include our children so they can learn, benefit and enjoy."

Mr. Raynor added: "When Denise came to me with a proposal to start her own business and wanted me to partner with it, I didn't hesitate to come on board. I've known her a long time and she's very passionate about children and I know that she's always wanted to open her own beauty spa."

The salon will include a permanent staff of two nail technicians, but Ms Carey will also offer students an opportunity to work at the salon on weekends.

However, there is a rule they have to do well at school.

"We've dedicated some tables to students and are looking at starting a vocation programme so youngsters who are unsure where they fit in our society ¿ well this is something they can explore and get interested in."

Another incentive is to offer discounts to students who make the honour roll, or can show they earn good grades.

"We definitely want to promote education and have incorporated that into our student experience employment contract, so they have to maintain a B-average to be employed part-time by us," Ms Carey said.

Jordan, who will help his mother behind the counter, said he he wants to travel to Japan and design a unique comic when he grows up.

"I did try Asia's Sweet Tooth Chocolate Facial ¿ it left my skin nice and soft. It also smells delicious," he said.

Asia, after whom the facial is named, is Mr. Raynor's 15-year-old daughter and she has already signed up to be one of the students working part-time at the salon.

She said she came up with some of the treatment ideas and names: "Being that I'm a teenager, I'd like to think I know what a lot of teenage girls like and I also wanted to help make the business."

The salon will also host birthday parties for teenagers.

Jordan said the most exciting part of the entire salon experience would be the availability of iPods which will allow young girls to listen to their favourite music, or watch a movie while they have their nails done.

Mr. Raynor said he was amazed at all the unique ideas Jordan and Asia had come up with ahead of the grand opening.

"They have given us loads of ideas ¿ things that adults would never have come up with."