Project Essence is an elevated nail salon on Ossington Avenue owned by 26 year-old Valeria Mozheyko. 

The salon, or the beauty retreat as Mozheyko calls it, aims to be an oasis from the busy street. It's a space, Mozheyko says, where she wants clients to kick back and relax with a warm drink while taking advantage of an unmatched professional nail service.

Large planters and a tall mirror that reads "find your ESSENCE in your reflection" greets you by the entrance before inviting you into the rest of the space.

The interior is cozy and neutral, featuring ridiculously soft chairs pulled up to manicure and pedicure stations while a projector screens reality television on the white brick wall.

The scent of fig permeates from an oil diffuser. 

A part of the Project Essence experience includes the offering of coffee or tea, which Mozheyko makes through a small interior window overlooking the nail stations. 

This is where it gets cutting edge. Keeping in mind clients' busy schedules, Project Essence offers four-hand service, meaning two nail technicians work at the same time to do your manicure and your pedicure.

Mozheyko says this expedited beauty strategy saves clients a lot of time. 

In Eastern Europe, salons offer a six-hand service where you also get your brows or lashes done, she says, explaining that she hopes to add these elements soon.

Mozheyko told me she never wanted to be a business owner before launching Project Essence since her mother has been a business owner for over 25 years.

"I've seen how hard it is," she said. "The long nights, no vacations. But at the same time this idea was driving me." 

Project Essence services include dry manicure and pedicures with high-end nail and cuticle work, a hot towel, a relaxing hand massage, as well as gel extensions.

In the near future, Mozheyko hopes to add a makeup station to the salon, and plans to secure a liquor licence to expand her selection of comforting beverages. 

Her dream team consists of three women from Ukraine and one from Russia, all of whom have been nail technicians for at least five years.

Mozheyko says that a lot of exceptional nail technicians have come to Canada recently from Ukraine. An immigrant herself, Mozheyko wanted to help and support these women.

Mozheyko is careful to note that her business is inclusive for everyone. "We don't only target Eastern European clients, and for Canadians who are trying these nail techniques for the first time, my technicians are very interested in educating people," she said. 

It's not just about having painted nails when you leave and getting a cup of coffee, it's about changing the perspective of our clients and making sure that they see that there's better options for nail care, she explained.