Blade and Ben Tiessen are jumping on the vegan bandwagon — again.
The practising vegans who run the Anti-Aging Clinic and Dispensary in downtown Orillia have expanded their business, and veganism is at its core.
They have opened a second location inside Christie's Mill Inn and Spa and Port Severn.
The resort operates a spa, and the Orillia clinic recently helped that spa switch to a vegan-friendly skin-care line called ElaSpa.
“Animal products are hard to clean of disease. We can get most ingredients from plants,” said Blade Tiessen, a medical esthetician. “The vegan movement in general is one of the largest movements in the world. It’s happening in every sector.”
That’s why he jumped at the opportunity when the resort approached him with the idea of opening a second location there.
In addition to creating new jobs, it will present new opportunities for the local business.
“The whole goal is to do something that’s never been done in Canada,” Tiessen said. “You can come in for a couple of weeks or a month and meet with doctors and specialists.”
It will also allow Tiessen to cut back on travel. He is often flying around North America to educate and work with doctors on anti-aging techniques. Space is at a premium in the Orillia location on Mississaga Street, so the resort will allow him to host the people to whom he usually has to travel.
“I thought it was a really good opportunity for myself and my teaching,” he said. “Having our clinic located in a beautiful resort with stunning views and recent upgrades allows us the ability to entice some doctors here for training and a mini-vacation instead of us travelling as frequently.”
For more information, call the clinic at 705-325-6265.
