Our Staff

Lynne Wiggins – Owner

Lynne was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and lived in Chicago and Boston before moving to Statesville, North Carolina with her husband. Lynne began her career after college working in specialty retail. She was Vice President of stores with Talbots, opening over 100 stores in two years before she finally landed as CEO of one of the divisions of Stride Rite Shoes. After 20 years in retail, she left the corporate world and opened a Wellness Center in Boston and began leading spiritual and adventure tours to the world’s sacred sites. She sold her wellness center at the time she developed her philanthropic interest while traveling to third-world countries. She began to help impoverished villages by raising money for projects that enhance the lives of others. Her groups have built a school in Tibet, a medical clinic (providing a doctor and medicine), and provided electricity and water to several small villages. She is responsible for educating numerous children in India, Tibet, Nepal and Peru. In 2005, Lynne created Ahlara International to establish a center for serenity and well-being. She is currently active in the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Board of Directors for Tibet Aid. She also sponsors, through Ahlara International, an organization to educate young women in Nepal.

Don Simmons – Owner

Don was born in Columbia, Missouri. He attended Tulane University on a basketball scholarship and furthered his education at the University of Missouri, studying both business and law. After college, he began a 30-year retail career, where he met his current partner, Lynne Wiggins. He was an executive for General Mills and Walden Books. In the late 70’s he was partner in a Garden Center business in Virginia Beach. In 2005, he partnered with Lynne Wiggins, Toni Saliby and other investors to open Ahlara International.

Sandra Harris – General Manager

Sandra has previous experience managing a day spa and salon as well as operating her own laser hair removal/electrolysis business. She moved to Mooresville seven years ago from Blacksburg, Virginia in search of a community where she could continue her spiritual journey. Sandra now resides in Huntersville with her husband, three dogs and four cats.  Ahlara has provided her a place where she can be herself, touching lives and sharing her passion for wellness.

Maurita Simmons – Retail Specialist

Maurita is married to owner Don Simmons and was the one who encouraged her husband to step out of retirement and venture into business with Lynne. After living for 15 years in Virginia Beach, Maurita moved to Troutman, North Carolina with Don to start their new adventure. Maurita is originally from Chicago and has worked in fashion retail for over 30 years. She enjoys merchandizing d’lynne Boutique International and helping clients discover something new at Ahlara.

Maureen Jennings – Customer Service Coordinator

Maureen is from Locust Valley, New York and has lived in Mooresville for three years with her husband and daughter. She studied nutrition at SUNY Farmingdale and worked and studied at the New York College for Wholistic Health, Education & Research. She studied Eastern nutrition and alternative healing methods. She loves North Carolina and has a great time at Ahlara sharing her knowledge and meeting new interesting people.

Angelica Costea – Customer Service Coordinator

Angelica is originally from Romania and has lived in Mooresville for the last 10 years with her husband and two sons. She has worked in fashion retail for over 15 years and is enjoying her new career at Ahlara International. Angelica loves working with people and helping them find the perfect service or outfit.

Trevor Bradley – Spa Manager/Massage Therapist

Trevor received his massage training from Edmund Morgan School of Neuromuscular and Massage in Cornelius, North Carolina. He is originally from Yellow Springs, Ohio and has been in Mooresville the last three years with his wife and two kids. He is certified in Neuromuscular and Sports Massage and enjoys Hot Stone Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Reiki and Chakra Balancing. His goal is to improve one’s quality of life through stress reduction and pain management. He gives the same high quality of care to the last client of the day as his first client.

Jarrett Worster – Massage Therapist

Jarrett is originally from Douglaston, New York and moved to Mooresville with her family. She studied massage at Syosset New York College of Holistic Health Education and specializes in European massage and eastern philosophy therapy. She enjoys educating clients on nutrition and natural cleansing. Jarrett is the happiest when she is massaging.

Sheila Alexander – Massage Therapist

Sheila is one of few originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. She studied massage at Sun Coast School of Natural Healing in Tampa, Florida. She specializes in geriatric massage, chair massage and neuromuscular massage. Sheila believes that massage is about making a difference. Seniors are the most un-served in our culture and she believes in making touch therapy accessible for them. Transformation excites her: a 15-minute chair massage makes a tremendous difference.

Elizabeth Hageman – Massage Therapist

Elizabeth is from Geneseo, New York and has lived in North Carolina for the last 15 years. Elizabeth attended the Edmund Morgan School of Neuromuscular and Massage in Cornelius, North Carolina. She specializes in deep tissue and energy work. Elizabeth’s goal for each massage is to help the client become better balanced and to reconnect with a place of inner calm through touch therapy. 

Erin Boyle – Massage Therapist

Erin is originally from Chicago and studied massage at Edmund Morgan School of Neuromuscular and Massage in Cornelius, North Carolina. She specializes in deep tissue and hot stone massage. Erin wants to continue learning all she can to further her career as a body worker. Her dream goal is to travel to Thailand and continue her training in Thai massage.

Salina Hornak - Massage Therapist

Salina is orginally from Newton, NJ and currently resides near Denver, NC with her husband and son.  She received her massage training at Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy in Charlotte, NC where she quickly realized her desire for understanding how the body functions.  Also a certified yoga instructor and Body Rejuvenation Cleanse Practitioner, Salina is passionate about educating people and guiding them on a journey of self-awareness, health and relaxation.

Cara Sulkowski - Massage Therapist

Laurie Hlywa - Massage Therapist

Shannon Kilgos - Massage Therapist

Shannon is a native of North Carolina.  She is married and has three children and one grandchild.  She attended Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy in Concord, NC in 2001.  She has trained in CranioSacral, Lymphatic Drainage, Reflexology, and Pregnancy.  She has her second Reiki Attunement and feels that energy massage is her specialty.  It is very rewarding both for the client and therapist.  Her goal is to give each client a positive, safe environment that allows them complete relaxation.

Janet Harter – Head Esthetician

Janet is from and resides in Hickory, North Carolina. She studied esthetics at Carolina Academy in Gastonia, North Carolina. She specializes in customized facials, microdermabrasion and full body waxing. Janet’s goal is for her clients to leave feeling better about themselves and to have had an experience – not just a treatment. She loves to educate her clients about skincare products for their home care regimen which will increase their treatment results. 

Brooke Steffen – Esthetician/Nail Technician

Brooke is from Dayton, Ohio and has lived in North Carolina for the last nine years. She was trained at Davidson County Community College in Lexington, North Carolina. Brooke has been in the spa industry for the last seven years. She specializes in microdermabrasion, peels, anti-aging, skin purifying facials and natural nail care. Her passion is helping people achieve their skincare goals and feel good about themselves.

Nancy Truax - Esthetician

Nancy is orginally from Chicago, IL and has lived in North Carolina for the last 20 years.  She has three grown children.  She was certified in esthetics at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in 2009.  She specializes in all types of facials and waxing.   Her goal is to help clients achieve healthy, beautiful skin.

Marett Mattox - Nail Technician

Marett was born and raised in Iredell County and currently lives in Statesville.  She was trained as a nail technician at Mitchell Community Cosmetology School.  She enjoys offering clients a relaxing spa service in a soothing environment.  Her goal is to obtain her licences for Massage Therapy and Esthetics and one day open her own spa.