The Hidden JGem & Tropic Paws - The 2024 Best of Bonita Awards

Informally known as “The Best of Bonita”, this annual award calls on members of the community to nominate and vote for their favorite places to work, eat, style their hair, get their car serviced, and more. In fact, this award encompasses nominees from more than 170 different categories. I will now go into pain staking detail about all 170 categories offering deep in-depth analysis on each category and all their nominees. Although I absolutely will not do that, I hope you can understand how important it is to recognize all those in our business community who take the risk in starting their own business with no guarantee of success. This week’s newsletter will highlight and congratulate a few of the winners.

I may be biased, but I have start with my friend and 3-time Best of Bonita winner for hair stylist, Jackie McLoon from The Hidden JGem. Originally from Maine, Jackie in Southwest Florida for a number of years. It was her time at another local salon where I first met Jackie. I am notorious for knowing how I like my haircut but being unable to adequately describe that to the stylist. Jackie took my word vomit and knew exactly what I wanted. That was 3.5 years ago and I’ve never looked back.

After a few years, she and her colleague and friend, Gabriella (this is where the “JG” comes from in Hidden JGem) took the chance and went out on their own. Without knowing how the journey would go, they both followed their passion and let the rest fall into place. In addition to Jackie winning best stylist for the third year in a row, her salon also won best salon. Jackie and Gabriella deserve all the success for the amazing work they do. Please go see them for all your hair care needs. Fellas, she knows how to cut men’s hair as well. She routinely makes this face for radio look pretty good.

I asked Jackie what her favorite part is about being a hairstylist. She responded

“My favorite thing about being a hairstylist is that you not only get to make people feel and look beautiful, you end up building a bond with your clients. That bond is so special. People trust me, and that means a lot. They invite me into their lives with stories and hair history and sometimes even just an ear is all they’re looking for. The relationships I’ve made and clients I’ve bonded with is probably my favorite part. Plus all the nerdy color theory and I think going off that”

I then asked her what being part of the Bonita Springs community means to her, she noted “Bonita is so small, compared to other cities and that if I can make a difference in a couple peoples day, by sharing an act of kindness or making someone feel good, that may carry on throughout their day, making others around happy as well”

The Hidden JGem can be found in Salon Suites in the Tokyo Bay plaza off 41 and Old 41.

A second winner I need to quickly highlight is my dog’s favorite place in the world that is not my bed, Tropic Paws.

Back in 2022, Tropic Paws opened up just south of Bonita Beach Rd off Old 41. The owner, Ashley, quickly began forming relationships with dogs and their two legged parents alike. She first began offering grooming services, then boarding, and soon after, day care. Two years later, she boasts a large book of clients of all shapes and sizes.

When I go out of town I know Sadie is well taken care of. I know she’ll have a blast with her friends and is safe. When I know Sadie needs a spa day (or when dad needs a break from the black lab life), I take her for grooming and some play time. Ashley and her team have won best groomers for three straight years and its not hard to see why. She loves Sadie like her own and I know other owners feel the exact same.

You can view the full list of winners here.

When I started this newsletter, I wanted to highlight the amazing people of this community. I strongly encourage you all to use Jackie and Tropic Paws for your hair care and pet needs. You won’t regret it.