Eviama Life Spa's creation:While working in the spa world, Penny Ordway saw too much conflict - selling services promoting well-being, but witnessing too many objectionable ingredients and not much respect for plant materials or their source. It was difficult to give a truly non-chemical experience in a facial or body treatment; rarely did services support the skin's natural rhythm and function or the body's innate balancing wisdom. Too few genuinely helpful techniques were utilized. The actual spaces were full of off-gassing materials and synthetic scents were too readily accepted. No one thought about packaging or recycling and this seemed to be too much to endure!

So the idea grew to make a spa with a healthy environment with organic ideals and practices, social awareness, compassion and value. Something completely different! Lots of research and planning made it clear that savings and inheritance would barely fit the bill, but the pull to do a green business was strong!After two years of searching for the right location in Philadelphia, 262 S. 16th Street became available to rent and renovate.