Lori
Pawson, owner of Isis Salon and Day Spa, is considering changing the
salon's name due to a terrorist group also called ISIS.
By Kerry Benjoe, The Leader-Post September 4, 2014
Sometimes a name makes a big difference.
Lori Pawson, owner of Isis Salon and Day Spa, said it took months of research to pick the perfect name for her business.
She decided on Isis because it embodied everything she wanted to promote.
"The reason we chose Isis is because it stood for the goddess of all goddesses and caregiver to all," said Pawson. "We wanted everyone who came to our salon to be treated like a god or goddess."
She said there are references to the Egyptian goddess all over her website to make the connection between the spa and the Egyptian goddess.
"Even some of our (advertising) say, 'Release your inner goddess' and things like that," said Pawson.
She never thought the name of her business would ever become controversial.
That was up until recently.
A few months ago, Pawson and her husband were watching television when she first heard reference to the terrorist group the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant - also known as ISIS.
"I was like, 'Oh my God,' " but I wasn't sure how far it was going to go," she said.
"Now, in the last month or so, it's all over the news here in Regina. We've started getting things posted on our Facebook from people asking who we are, emails to the business, calls to the business all asking how we are affiliated with ISIS - the terrorists."
She said the business has not been threatened by anyone, but there have been a lot of questions.
Pawson said the inquiries vary from person to person.
While some people are satisfied knowing the salon has no terrorist affiliation, there have been some angry callers.
"I want to clarify to people that we have nothing to do with ISIS," she said. "Some people just see the name Isis and just assume."
Pawson said repeat customers are aware the spa is not associated with any terrorist group, but some don't because the business is only a year old.
She hopes things will settle down soon because she does not want it to negatively impact Isis employees or their clients.
Pawson said even the spelling is different because her business is a name and not an acronym.
She admits that it has got to the point where she is considering changing the name of the business.
However, doing that would mean more research and in the end it will cost the business money.
"I'm still undecided," said Pawson.
She is not the only one who has received backlash over the name Isis.
Ann Summers, an international clothing retailer, was forced to apologize after it named its latest range of undergarments after the Egyptian goddess Isis.
The U.S.-based rock band Isis has also received negative feedback on its Facebook page because people think it is affiliated with ISIS.
Lori Pawson, owner of Isis Salon and Day Spa, said it took months of research to pick the perfect name for her business.
She decided on Isis because it embodied everything she wanted to promote.
"The reason we chose Isis is because it stood for the goddess of all goddesses and caregiver to all," said Pawson. "We wanted everyone who came to our salon to be treated like a god or goddess."
She said there are references to the Egyptian goddess all over her website to make the connection between the spa and the Egyptian goddess.
"Even some of our (advertising) say, 'Release your inner goddess' and things like that," said Pawson.
She never thought the name of her business would ever become controversial.
That was up until recently.
A few months ago, Pawson and her husband were watching television when she first heard reference to the terrorist group the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant - also known as ISIS.
"I was like, 'Oh my God,' " but I wasn't sure how far it was going to go," she said.
"Now, in the last month or so, it's all over the news here in Regina. We've started getting things posted on our Facebook from people asking who we are, emails to the business, calls to the business all asking how we are affiliated with ISIS - the terrorists."
She said the business has not been threatened by anyone, but there have been a lot of questions.
Pawson said the inquiries vary from person to person.
While some people are satisfied knowing the salon has no terrorist affiliation, there have been some angry callers.
"I want to clarify to people that we have nothing to do with ISIS," she said. "Some people just see the name Isis and just assume."
Pawson said repeat customers are aware the spa is not associated with any terrorist group, but some don't because the business is only a year old.
She hopes things will settle down soon because she does not want it to negatively impact Isis employees or their clients.
Pawson said even the spelling is different because her business is a name and not an acronym.
She admits that it has got to the point where she is considering changing the name of the business.
However, doing that would mean more research and in the end it will cost the business money.
"I'm still undecided," said Pawson.
She is not the only one who has received backlash over the name Isis.
Ann Summers, an international clothing retailer, was forced to apologize after it named its latest range of undergarments after the Egyptian goddess Isis.
The U.S.-based rock band Isis has also received negative feedback on its Facebook page because people think it is affiliated with ISIS.
