Salon Business

Better Business

July 1, 2007 By: American Salon Staff American Salon

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The salon opened in 2001 and attracts a wide range of upscale clients. It features a simple, clean décor that Gessner encourages by not allowing products at the stations, which also makes the services more personal. "There is an area of the salon that contains Paul Mitchell products," Gessner says. "After stylists consult with their clients, they go to that area and pick out the products they want to use."

In stock: Paul Mitchell

3. RikRak Salon & Boutique

Hairdresser Ric Watters and his wife, Raquel, combined their names and talents to open the RikRak Salon & Boutique in 1989. Clients enjoy hair services, nail treatments, massages and facials and also take advantage of the full boutique inside, where everything from dresses and shoes to handbags and sunglasses are for sale. "It's a very unique place," says Raquel. "Our clients are trendy and into fashion so they love the merchandise."

RikRak has three locations in Miami. Besides the 7,000-square-foot flagship salon, there is a smaller location at the Four Seasons Hotel that only offers hair and nail services and one at the Sagamore Hotel that offers mainly spa services. They are all open seven days a week and attract clients ranging from upscale locals to hotel guests to celebrities who prefer in-room services. Says Raquel, "We treat all clients like they're family and friends."

In stock: Schwarzkopf, Kérastase, Barex Italiana

4. Stella Salon and Spa

Aside from requiring that stylists have some experience before working at Stella Salon and Spa, co-owners Johanna Stella and Louis "Louis-Guy D" Gignac require them to specialize. "We believe that it's hard to do everything well," Stella says. The stylists come from a wide range of backgrounds, which attracts a diverse clientele including young girls, professional women and celebrities.

The salon and spa, which opened in 1994, was designed to reflect its name and location. Since it's located near the sea and stella means star in Italian, there are stars and waves on the salon floor and huge windows for natural light. The salon also contains a self-serve product bar, where clients can finish their own hair if they desire. "Some women just want to get their hair cut and finish the look themselves," Stella says. "We provide products for them and give them direction."

In stock: Kérastase, SkinCeuticals

Big Fish, Small Pond

In every small town across America, there's at least one salon that raises the bar for everyone else. Chevy Chase, MD, (population 2,776) has Perez Salon and Day Spa.

Located just north of Washington, D.C., the town of Chevy Chase, MD, was incorporated in 1918 but undeveloped until after World War I, when the automobile became a more popular means of transportation, allowing people working in D.C. to live outside the city. Known as a wealthy suburb, the town is home to what many call the "Rodeo Drive" of the East Coast: The Collection at Chevy Chase. The Collection is a development of more than 100,000 square feet of high-end stores, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior and Cartier. It's also home to the Perez Salon and Day Spa.

The reception area provides a welcoming atmosphere

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