Celebrating Salon Plaza’s first Member of the Month of 2016 – Hairstylist for Men & Women…
Natalia Lancaster, Owner of Bella Vita Salon at Fountain Square in Richmond, VA
A salon professional for 16 years, Natalia opened her own shop with Salon Plaza in September 2013
We interviewed Natalia to discover what makes her so wonderful.
Over the past few weeks, Salon Plaza has been teaching readers how to establish themselves by drawing from their CORE POWER and using nature’s 4 ELEMENTS.
Now let’s see how this works for Natalia.
Natalia’s CORE POWER
“A Beautiful Life, A Beautiful You!”
WHY Do You Own a Salon with Salon Plaza?
I really enjoy having a flexible schedule and being my own boss at Salon Plaza Fountain Square. I absolutely love my clients and the chance they give me to be creative, which is what still drives me to do hair!
WHAT Is Your Unique Specialty?
My passion is color, especially achieving a natural look. I do highlights, all over color, and specialty color.
That’s really my thing. A lot of other stylists ask my advice on color and foiling. Even more important than this, I create a loving environment that feels like family.
WHO Are Your Most Likely Clients?
As a hairstylist for men and women, my clients vary all over the board in age. I have children, people in their 20’s and up to their 70’s with a pretty even mix of men and women.
Most of my clientele are working professionals who tend to lean toward the conservative side.
A few who sit in my chair choose colors like crazy blue, but most like natural-looking hair. That’s what I like too. We tend to attract people like ourselves.
Natalia’s CORE POWER energizes how she runs her salon. Let’s see how she draws from nature’s 4 ELEMENTS of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air.
What strikes me most about Natalia is her FIRE… so let’s start there:
Fire = Personality + Story
Growing up I did hair and it has always been a passion. I pretty much finished with high school in my junior year. During my senior year, I completed cosmetology school even before I “officially” graduated from high school.
Originally from Michigan, when I moved to Virginia I didn’t have a clientele. So I got a job with a large salon chain that was just opening in Virginia.
This “temporary plan” became a real opportunity to learn the business of running a salon. I opened up 15 stores in 10 years as a corporate trainer.
In another post, I’ll tell you all about what I learned as a manager of other up-and-coming beauty professionals.
That salon focused on male clientele. To tell you the truth, I didn’t want to do men’s hair all day for the rest of my career. Nothing against it – I have a good share of male clientele to this day. It just wasn’t my dream to be a hairstylist for men only.
Natalia’s Passionate Daydream:
Back then, when I daydreamed about my future, I envisioned owning a small salon offering hair care, natural nails, massage… more of a Zen place where clients could escape and feel refreshed.
Then I found Salon Plaza
I had looked at a couple of similar concepts. With clients coming from all over the city and surrounding areas, I really needed something centrally located.
Salon Plaza just happened to have ONE studio open.
I thought it was Fate!
Willing and open to try new things, I built my business with my personality.
Earth = Space + Skills
Salon Plaza is set up differently from the other places I’d looked at. My first impression was that I liked the warm feeling when you got inside. I figured my clients would, too.
The entrance is inviting, and the members are welcoming. I love the privacy, so we’re not right on top of each other.
At the same time, it’s nice to hear the sounds of the other stylists. Having a Salon Space that’s private but not closed in gives me the perfect place to express my creativity.
This setup maintains vibrancy with more privacy than a traditional salon.
“You’re worth it!”
You can’t survive in this industry without superb skills. With over 250 hours of continuing education, I have been trained by some of the top platform artists in the world.
When I opened my own shop, a lot of my clients stayed with me even though my prices are much higher now. My male clients all tell me they come for the shampoo. That makes me smile.
If you do a good shampoo, you’ll always keep your clients. People carry a lot of stress in their head, neck, and shoulders. When you can relieve the stress, they don’t leave you.
Always be learning – that’s the foundation for giving passionate service. I stay current on all the new trends with on-going training. Being free to offer a flexible schedule definitely helps.
Water = Asking for Referrals + Offering Rewards
I’m a firm believer in growing by referrals and word-of-mouth. Referrals are more likely to become lasting clients. They fit in and become like family.
Comfortable asking for the referral, I built my business this way. Now as an established salon, I keep my book full by adding 10 – 15 referrals every year, which is enough.
Years ago I used to give a reward – $5 off for both the new client and the person who gave the referral. In the beginning, if you really need to stay busy, it’s ok to reward with a discount.
Problem is, when people come for that reason, they may not come back.
Now that I’m really very busy being a hairstylist for men and women, I don’t have to do that. I do thank them and show appreciation. I’m really close to all of my clients. Gratitude and trust go hand-in-hand.
Air = Showing Up + Reaching Out
I’m not particularly active on social media. I do have a Facebook business page, but most of my clients visit my personal page.
To stay in touch, I send reminders through text messaging, Facebook, voice mail, and email. Not a fan of online scheduling, I rely on old-fashioned paper booking.
Would I recommend Salon Plaza to other cosmetologists who have the ambition and drive to own their own shop?
Absolutely!
I like the support. You have your own studio and get to be your own boss. Salon Plaza has a ton of perks. What are YOU waiting for?
Why not begin the new year with a TOUR… and Dream a little about your Future! It may be just around the corner –
Click now to Discover how…
