ABOUT US
One of my favorite pictures from my childhood is me sitting on the back of the couch, smiling proudly at my work of 15 carefully placed ponytails (going in every direction) in my aunt's beautiful hair. I am not sure if that was the start of my love for hair or if it was something else all together, but pony tails led to doll hair, and then to experimenting on my own hair. The funny thing is, I had no idea I could make a career out of this fun little hobby.
Growing up, haircuts involved a visit to my aunt's basement or if it was extra special we would go to a discount salon for a trim. When I was invited to visit the orientation day for the cosmetology program at my district’s Technical school, I had a serious lightbulb moment. Sitting there in the plastic seats with my best friend and my mom, I was told about a world I knew nothing about. We could care for people by making them feel important and beautiful - on the inside and the outside. I signed up then and there. At the time I had no idea what I wanted for my future. I was not a great student and truly did not like going to school. This 2 year program would give me the opportunity to earn my cosmetology license while also attending high school.
Win, win.
Over the last 26 years in the industry, I have worked in many different types of salons, and in various roles. I worked for incredible managers and bosses, with fun and talented teams. I have also worked for failing salons with poor management and sketchy business practices. I gathered knowledge in each place. Sometimes that was in the form of ‘what to do’, but mostly it was ‘what not to do’. I took notes on how a boss made me feel, how clients were cared for, and what the aesthetic was in the salon. There was an underlying current that I did not quite fit in, in all of these salons. I was always trying to do more, offer more, be more.
A vision for the ideal salon began to form in my mind. I wanted good music and art and glossy magazines. I wanted the best coffee, and fresh flowers. I wanted a relationship with each of my guests. I wanted them to feel cared for and pampered. I wanted to create an escape from the stress of life. Fashion and ‘dressing the part’ became a priority for me. I wanted to listen and make their hair dreams come true. As an employee, I had bosses that poured into me, supported me, and helped me grow. I also had bosses that took advantage, lied, showed no interest in me, and ultimately didn't care. That treatment fueled me to grow on my own. I signed up for every class I could find. I went to all the hair shows. I read magazines, and watched all the experienced stylists at every salon I worked in. I made the correlation between my skill level and the level of care I could bring to my guests and coworkers.
Owning a salon was never part of the plan, just as becoming a hairstylist was never on my radar. But how hard could it be? You design a sweet space. You invite your clients to come. You hire a few others to join. Boom, you have a successful business! Not quite. The stats show that on average a new salon will close its door within the first 5 years of business. Apparently running a business is hard, and a 25 year old woman with street smarts and no collateral was not the ideal client for a bank to back. Bank after bank said no. If you know me at all, you know I don't like being told no. Persistence paid off and in January of 2003 the doors finally opened at Capelli salon.
So many memories come flooding back as I think about the last 20 years. There have been lots of mistakes and heartbreak over the years. But as life does, they are balanced with beautiful memories of the lives I have been a part of. Our mission was clear, and our passion has kept us on course. Care for people. Love them. Listen to them. Value them. Strive for betterment in all that you do. Grow and learn. Accept your limitations. Be kind. And say Thank You.
I am beyond grateful for this salon, its team (all the variations of it over the years), and all the beautiful souls we have met over the years. Thank you for supporting us, and for being apart of the Capelli family.
XO
Sara