At the time we published “Manhattan to Mercer Island”, Salon NUR was a bit of a stealth project. The founders, Nikki Baidwan, Sharon Perez, and Suzanne Zahr, sought to create highly curated content for a very special group of women focused on their own personal journey to “rest, renew, and shine”. They placed a lot of weight on participant privacy and event intimacy. Since then, Sharon has moved to full-time as the CEO while Suzanne continues to run her companies and Nikki maintains her Executive position in Tech. Knowing this history made it a very special honor to be included in the Salon NUR Farm to Table Dinner to welcome inaugural Salon NUR members!
The Farm-to-Table dinner event stands as a milestone in Salon NUR's evolution. It marks a turning point, propelling this close-knit community forward into a new era of growth, connection, and empowerment.
The event was also a coming out party for the Mercer Island Funny Farm. Carly, Caretaker, and farm manager carefully managed everyone's experience, and let me know they are open for events and parties.
Throughout her career, Suzanne Zahr has been passionate about placemaking. In co-founding Salon NUR, Suzanne has emphasized the need to create safe spaces for self-expression and soulful connections. “Though beautiful settings, such as the MI Funny Farm at the sparkle of sunset, serve as stunning backdrops for our events, it’s truly the soulful beauty and authenticity of our participating members that allow us all to shine brightly from within.”
The enchanting setting of MI Funny Farm, the delectable dishes from Della Terra Catering, and the exquisite Drum Roll wine set the stage for an atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie.
Members were encouraged to bring a guest to create an enhancement to the vibrant and dynamic gathering. Upon arrival, everyone was greeted by Nikki, Sharon, or Suzanne. During check-in, everyone was immediately engaged in the evening's theme by selecting a name tag with their preferred "rest". This directed seating arrangements. A great way to get mingling started and the first sprinkling of pixie dust.
Della Terra served craft cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while Matt and Sundee Frazier poured their “Drum Roll” wines! (Look for their tasting room opening this Fall.)
Before dinner, we watched the video for the dinner discussion theme. The theme was inspired by the NY Times article "It's Quitting Season" by Lindsay Crouse and Kirby Ferguson and it ignited impassioned conversations about the concept of quitting, reinventing oneself, and embracing change. The discussions started at dinner and echoed throughout the night, sparking ongoing reflections and revelations.
We were all seated for dinner and began to discuss our “rest” preference(s). We first discussed something we recently cut out of our lives, followed by what we would say “no” to (if we could). All while enjoying a tasty and healthy meal artfully presented by the staff of award-winning caterer, Della Terra. Their Farm-to-Table dinner was served family style and was simply delicious! It was so much fun and incredibly fulfilling to participate in these energetic and considerate conversations. It blew me away! We all made dear friends for life.
The diverse group of amazing women, along with their friends and loved ones, contributed to an evening of laughter, heartfelt discussions, and the formation of new bonds. Every attendee spoke highly of each other, the Founders, and Salon NUR. Being there was like being in the core. The spirit was real, and you could almost see the energy. (Imagine seeing a heat wave.) A spiritual life force that was so magnetic, you could close your eyes and see it.
As the days have now turned into weeks, the impact of the Farm-to-Table event ripples outward. The connections made that evening continue to deepen, as attendees reach out to one another, forming friendships and collaborations that extend beyond the initial event. The theme of embracing change and taking courageous steps resonated with many, inspiring them to explore new opportunities and paths they may have previously considered uncharted.
The spirit of Salon NUR continues to flourish and evolve. The evening was another resounding success, a testament to the power of connection, thoughtful conversation, and the magic that happens when like-minded individuals come together. The bonds formed that evening remain a source of inspiration, reminding everyone that the power of authentic conversations, shared experiences, and the unwavering support of a community could truly transform lives.
Sharon Perez, Co-Founder and CEO of Salon NUR, shares, "The core mission of Salon NUR is to curate opportunities to come together for reflection, rest, renewal and fun! The Farm to Table Dinner Salon was designed to provide a moment of late summer rest as we fed our senses with a gorgeous farm setting, celebrating the bounty of the harvest season with local food & wine with the community of Salon NUR members and guests."
And, the best is yet to come. Stay tuned!
"Gathering interesting people for interesting conversations is a lifelong dream and ambition for me. I’m so grateful for all our members that have signed up to be part of Salon NUR and ecstatic to be with them and their friends and family in this beautiful setting, talking about the choices we make as humans. I’m inspired to keep doing more.” - Nikki Baidwan