Former Founder of Utopia Salon & Essentials, current owner of Nirvana Apothecary & Day Spa, and local visionary, Bobbi K. Burk’s path to Portland’s famed ‘Pearl District’ began upon immigrating to the United States as very young child amidst her home country’s revolution. Born in Szeget, Hungary, Ms. Burk’s father often reminded her ‘that the American Dream is still alive and someday you will prosper from living such a dream…’ Such words have never been more confirmed with the arrival of Ms. Burk’s entrepreneurial spirit in her constructing two of Portland’s arguably most successful and unique salon and spa combinations in Utopia (Founded 1999) and Nirvana (Founded 2002) ‘Ms. Burk is a true business pioneer to not only the Pearl District, but to Portland, as well,’ wrote the Portland Business Journal.
A former hairdresser for a famed San Francisco stylist during her residence in Marin County, California, Ms. Burk was always inspired by the artistry of her craft and what it meant to create a something more than just a haircut or a spa appointment. ‘Our slogan at Nirvana says it best,’ quipped Ms. Burk, ‘when service is not enough and experience is everything…’ Portland Monthly recently acknowledged such a creed in awarding vision of Nirvana Apothecary & Day Spa as ‘one of the top rated spas in Portland.’ Citysearch, the Oregonian and the Portland Tribune have also followed suit in similarly describing Ms. Burk’s true creative vision as ‘what sets her spa apart from the rest…’
It seems that with nearly a spa or salon on every corner these days, competition would be even higher to succeed. Contrary, Ms. Burk’s almost humanitarian-like and fortuitous efforts, including assisting past employees who have spawned their own spa and salon ventures, remind all of us that ‘to give is better to receive’ particularly when it comes to service and Nirvana is certainly never short on service. From their trademark ‘complimentary beverage service to additional and unique ‘add-on services’ such as a Tarot Card reading, Henna artistry, or even a belly dancer to compliment an already wide variety of unique and formidable services.
Ms. Burk partner, local entrepreneur, magician, and philanthropist, Mr. Edward L. Prichard III claims that this has been a journey that he ‘would have never imagined had it not been for the drive, the passion and most of all the sheer artistry that Bobbi brings to the table everyday to create such a magical world as Nirvana.’
