how it all started
get in touch with usBorn from a big dream, Changes opened its doors in 1984 as Walnut Creek’s premier full-service Salon. It was the brain child of a manicurist and a stylist who sought to offer a blend of services and experiences to all the hard working, bustling people of the East Bay. Changes was a staycation sanctuary and unique retreat housing hair, nails, massage, and skincare services, and still is to this day. Within two years of opening, the owners readjusted visions and Bonnie Waters became the sole owner of Changes.
From that transition, Changes forged a new path to growth and began expanding its floorplan to meet increasing demand.
In 1996 Changes underwent its first large addition of 1,800 sq. feet adding an extra facial room and space to the area that is the Hair Salon today. With growing interest and request for Spa services, Changes evolved again in 1998 adding lounge space to the renowned spa as well as multiple skincare and massage rooms. At that point, Changes became a Day Spa. The dream to provide an urban retreat, a place for wellness, peace, and cultivating inner beauty was brought to life. With a tremendous response from the community, growth continued and in 2007 another expansion of 2,700 sq. feet and brought Changes to its current size of approximately 10,000 sq. feet occupying the entire ground floor. Within its walls lie numerous amenities and offerings including showers, steam rooms, a 16 ft water wall, wet room, sound chair, and an infrared sauna.
Today Changes remains one of Walnut Creeks’ most well established businesses celebrating 35 years in 2019.
It serves as a landmark, a haven from the nearby bustle, and a place of continued inspiration and education for all that enter through its doors. Changes prides itself on its team of skilled technicians, its incredible amenities, and the outstanding service it’s been known for since 1984.
About Bonnie Waters
Bonnie Waters began her career in the East Bay Area as a nail technician in 1975. After a short time she opened her first business venture and nail salon in Walnut Creek- Jenuine Juliette’s. She enjoyed eight strong years of success but began moving her sights to bigger goals to envision and open Changes with a business partner. The partnership allowed both to grow for some time, but after two years, Bonnie took a leap to become the sole owner of Changes. She sought to reinvent the way Changes stood apart from its competition and recognized immediate success through her creative and innovative approaches.
Through the years Bonnie’s leadership skills, vision, and passion became bolder and were inevitably noticed by the community around her. In 2006 Bonnie was honored to be awarded by the Global Salon Business Awards for her “General Management” talents. Then in 2008, she received incredible news and accolades as the Global Salon Business Awards named her “Salon Entrepreneur of the Year” for the Western United States. In 2009, Changes Salon & Day Spa was named the “Woman-Owned Business of the Year” by the Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment. The group lauded Bonnie’s entrepreneurial spirit and recognized her leadership and positive contributions to the community. In 2011 Bonnie was named Business Owner of the Year by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce.
Bonnie’s influence reaches beyond the walls of her business to her team and community alike. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Walnut Creek Downtown Business Association, and has served on the board of the Cancer Support Community and Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce. Lastly, she continues to facilitate a culture at Changes full of creativity, support and passion that is shared with each guest. She is a woman inspiring her team, giving back to her community, and leading her business to continually make a difference.
“I just really had a fire in my belly, I wanted to do something more. I loved seeing people’s faces light up, I like seeing it in the clients and in the staff, when you know you’ve touched someone in a deeper way.”