Hi Brenda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I had a salon for 25 years in Phoenix, all the while we lived in California. For 20+ of those years, communted between California and Phoenix. In 2017 I left Phoenix to be in San Diego full time and started Wild Honey Salons in 2018. I first fell in love with the industry in the pages of Vogue and watching Vidal Sassoon and Beverly Sassoon and the lifestyle they created, I thought that looks like a good life. I first started wanting to do Makeup, but the hair was where I found my passion. Becoming a salon owner was never really a plan for me, but as it turned out, I love business and seeing individuals achieve their goals through my brand and talent. Wild Honey is an employee based business, which is rare. I am working on a culture of building a partnership between the Stylist and the business. As a stylist’s career evolve, I am looking for individuals who want to be a brand partner and grow together. I am hoping to change the salon cycle of build a clientele and leave create an alternate/new business model for the industry.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With the first salon, I was completely unprepared for business. I had many costly and personal setbacks figuring out what to do. I did not do this alone. Everyone I know helped me along the way. My first realization was I learned how to work behind the chair with clients but knew nothing about managing talent, inventory, bookkeeping so on. Where I am today is from all those lessons. I learned to hire the right people to do the jobs, delegate and focus on what I did best, and guide others to our common goals.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We established Salon Estique in Phoenix in 1994. It was a top 200 salon for over 12 years producing 1.5 million dollars a year—WIld Honey Salons in Nov 2018. I started with two people and now have seven partners and looking to grow. We specialize in haircuts and hair color. We are known for our friendly and exceptional customer service. What sets us apart from others is our business model, People like that we have a brand where everyone is an individual brand within the brand of the wild honey salon. It is based on partnerships between the stylish salon. I am proud that the brand represents quality, approachability and captures the San Diego Lifestyle? Our brand never tries to copy a style but works with you to decide the look that best conveys your personal style.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes, you must be flexible in business. When everything seems unknown, do what you do know and keep planning for the outcome you want. ADAPT! Communication- lead but know you don’t have to have all the answers frequently speak between team and guests, so you are the voice of your story. Sick is sick stay home Clean Freaks win Prepare for the worst Invest in technology Have alternate plans be adaptable Have a strong network that will share information and to communicate with on best practices When fear wins you lose. Be cautious, listen, plan to adapt. Economics Financial freedom has savings. Pay your self first. Save. Don’t worry about what others have. You do not serve you.
Pricing:
- Haircut $65+
- Balayage $175+
- Smoothing Treatments $275
Contact Info:
- Phone number: 619.255.9779
- Email: brenda@wildhoneysalons.com
- Website: wildhoneysalons.com
- Instagram: @wildhoneysalons
- Facebook: wildhoneysalons
- Yelp: wild honey salons
Image Credits
Colbert Photography
