Today we’d like to introduce you to Bruce and Denise Mayer.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bruce and Denise. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Denise graduated from the Deloux Cosmetology School in San Diego in 1980 she worked for a few salons for the next 13 years building her clientele then opened her first salon in 1993 in La Jolla. Within a few years she was bought out by Vons who wanted the property, so we built another salon in downtown La Jolla.
After a few years she decided to move out of La Jolla, closed that salon and we built a Salon in University Town Center which she opened with a partner, big mistake. Her partner knew nothing about owning and operating a salon and pushed everything off on Denise. After 6 years Denise had enough and sold off her share and we opened another 600 sq. ft. salon in Bay Park (Avati Salon) A number of the technicians from the previous salon joined her at the new salon.
Within a year we had grown so we took the suite next door, opened up the walls, redesigned both sides, and now we were at 1500 sq. ft. We added more stylists, a nail technician, a massage therapist and then the facialist from the previous salon joined us. In the past few months a few more stylists from other salons, that are closing their doors, have joined us and another stylist from the old salon joined us as well.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I mentioned most of this on the previous page. Struggles. Vons buying the property and being forced to move, a few bad personalities that we had to let go, a bad partner, re-establishing a salon in a not so great area with an uncooperative landlord and an old strip mall which needed a facelift, not to mention our 23 year old son being shot and killed during a drive-by shooting which made it hard to keep going for awhile.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Avati Salon – what should we know?
Wow, I wish I knew these questions before I answered the previous pages. I told you about the company to a point. It is owned by my wife and I. It is her salon, her business. I built and maintain it she does all the decorating.
What we do Hair, Manicures, Pedicures, Massage. Facials, Makeup, Authentic Japanese Kimono Weddings and hair.
Most proud of, we have made it a point to surround ourselves with like personalities that all get along, assist each other and support each other. and most of all are friends. We keep our booth rent lower than most other salons so as not to stress technicians trying to make rent, and to help them build, and we work with them if they have any financial problems. We upgrade and repair equipment and the facility when needed and do not allow anything in the salon to get run down.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
We do not. have delusions of having the best or biggest salon In San Diego. We would like to fill the last few chairs with hair technicians. Add another nail technician and then Denise would like to give up her chair and clients and just manage to the salon and instruct others on proper hair coloring techniques.
There really aren’t any big shifts, changes or trends that can take place in this industry other than growing larger and that is not our goal because with growth you lose the personality that has made our salon successful.
Pricing:
- HAIR CUTS Women: $ 45 + up Men: $ 25 + up
-Blow-Dry Style: $ 25 + up Up Do: $ 45 + up - COLOR / CHEMICAL SERVICES:
-Single Process Color: $ 50 + up Single Process w/Highlights: $120 + up
-Double Process Colors: $ 75 + up(Bleach & Tone) Full-Head Highlights: $120 + up Partial Highlights: $ 75 + up
-Hairline Highlights: $ 35 + up
-Color Correction: Cost determined by consultation Body Wave / Perm: $ 90 + up
-Anti-Curl / Relaxer: $ 75 + up
-YUKO Straightening: $400/4hr. Session - SPECIALIZED TREATMENT L’OREAL SERIE: (customized scalp and hair treatment with shoulder/neck massage) $ 40 – 30 minutes
-Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment: $ 15 + up
-Educational Workshops: Cost determined upon availability Wedding Packages Cost determined by stylists scheduled. - NAIL CARE Manicure: $ 18 Pedicure: $ 38 Manicure and Pedicure: $ 55
-Hot Oil Treatment Manicure $ 20
-Hot Oil Treatment Pedicure $ 38
-Pedicure and Fill $ 65
-Natural Polish Change: $ 14
-Artificial Polish Change: $ 20
-All Full Sets With Tips: $ 48
-Fills: $ 35
-All Repairs: $ 5
-Toe Nail Trim: $ 16
-Finger Nail Trim: $ 12
-Silk Wraps: $ 38
-Linen Wraps: $ 38 - CUSTOMIZED MASSAGE Massage that incorporates Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Myofascial Release massage. $ 45.00 (30 min) $ 65.00 (60 min) $ 85.00 (90 min)
-HOT STONE $80.00 (75 min) Heated smooth, flat stones are placed on key points on the body.
-AROMATHERAPY BODY WRAP and MASSAGE $ 80.00 (75 min)
-CHAKRA BALANCING MASSAGE $ 80.00 (60 min) The treatment features the Chakra Balancing Blends with Deep Tissue Massage on the back and spinal muscles, a Chakra Reflexology Massage for the feet, and Chakra Energy Work. - SKIN CARE BY – KIYOKO European Facial: $ 75
-Men’s Facial: $ 65
-Perfect Exfoliation: $ 90
-Microdermabrasion (Crystal Peeling): $110
-Mini Facial: $ 40
-Red Carpet Facial: $125 - SPECIAL PACKAGES Microdermabrasion (Series of 4): $380 ($440 Value)
-Full Leg and Bikini: $ 90 - BODY TREATMENT Back Facial: $ 65 WAXING
-Eyebrow Wax / Arch: $ 18
-Eyebrow Shape/Design: $ 20
-Lip: $ 12
-Lip & Chin: $ 25
-Face (Lip, Chin & Cheeks): $ 35
-Bikini: $ 25 + up
-Brazilian: $ 45 + up
-Upper Leg: $ 45
-Lower Leg with Feet: $ 38
-Full Leg: $ 70
-Lower Arm with Hands $ 28
-Full Arm: $ 40
-Back: $ 60 + up - LASH & BROW Eyelash Extension: (Free 1 week check up): $150
-Touch Up: $ 70
-Semi-Individual Eyelash Extension: $ 45
-Touch Up: $ 2 - AIRBRUSH MAKEUP Bridal Makeover: $ 95
-Classy Makeover: $ 60
-Daily Makeover: $ 45
-Men’s Foundation: $ 20
-Prom Makeover: $ 50
-Tattoo Covering: $ 20 + up
-Lashes Enhancement: $ 20
Contact Info:
- Address: 4019 Avati Drive San Diego, CA. 92117
- Phone: Salon: 858-273-5506 Denise: 619-990-2312 Bruce: 619-794-8317
- Email: info@avatisalon.com
Image Credit:
Loews Coronado Hotel, Crown Landing, Sunset Room
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
