Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Bauer.
Amanda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was 19 I moved to LA by myself working four jobs at any given time. I was broke so naturally I tried to dye my own hair. I eventually screwed it up so bad that my boss at the time booked me an appointment at Bob Roy in Manhattan Beach. It was there that I met some of my best friends and was encouraged to go to hair school. Sommer Penny taught me how to do hair while I was in school and worked at Bob. It was only natural that I started working there. After six amazing years, it was time to move on. I had learned so much and met amazing friends, but I was raised by an entrepreneur. My dad beat it into my head, “never work for anyone but yourself”. I started looking for a space, and everything was overwhelming. I wanted to stay in Manhattan Beach but it was looking impossible. My Realtors wanted to show me a larger spot in Hermosa Beach, and I went. Fell in love with the windows, and the space. It needed a lot of work to make it a salon, one of the hardest jobs my dad said he has ever done. His team from Nor Cal came down and built us what is now Beck + Brix. My good friend who happened to be an ex hairstylist turned designer, Bianca Ecklund helped me design a beautiful space. There were a lot of things that fell in to place with who came to work at Beck + Brix. A few from Bob, a couple of girls from another salon closing in MB, a friend of a friend, and a couple out of staters. It was a crazy leap of faith, I closed my eyes and hoped for the best.
We have been open for two years now. And it has evolved a little bit from a hair salon to a hair salon and gift shop. The gift shop, kind of just happened… I like to think its a one stop shop helping busy people get more done. While your processing you can browse the cards and get a cute necklace wrapped up for someone.
The last couple of months were hard with the shutdown, but we knew we would be back and busier than ever. Grateful for every client and friend that had texted us, wishing us well, and checking in.
Great, 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?
I think besides the obvious being the shutdown due to Covid-19, which was hard, and scary, it has mostly been smooth. Finding balance between boss and friend is something I work on. I think stepping into a leadership role is a little challenging when a lot of people that work at the salon are my good friends. But I am super lucky for the team that has evolved. It’s special.
Please tell us about Beck + Brix.
Beck + Brix is named after my two sons Becken and Brixton. We’re a hair salon and gift shop in Hermosa Beach. I think my favorite part about us is our vibe. It’s down to earth, it’s happy, there’s a lot of love in there. One of my clients started talking about her “salon friends”. They come so much that they have friends that they see weekly, never knew them before the salon. That makes me so happy. It’s like a big family. Even before I had my own shop, I knew most the clients, what their names are and who does their hair. I think that’s helped set us apart too. We are trying to pair people up with a stylist they will stay with, and love. We are known for beautiful lived in hair. Lots of beach waves, lots of blondes, but don’t get it mistaken that we only do blondes, I have seen the most dynamic reds and brunettes come out of there. Personally, I am probably known for my speed… Haha people always are confused by it, but it comes from my own anxiety of not having enough hours in the day to get stuff done, I’m just quick, its not a rushed job, it’s just my pace.
The gift shop is different for a salon, and I get that. I didn’t want it to feel misplaced, but I also know that we are running around doing a 100 things a day, it’s nice to get a couple of things done in one place. As you get your hair done for a bridal shower you are going to you can pick a gift out and have it wrapped while you process color or while your hair is getting cut.
We also do pop up shops with local designers and artists a couple of times a year. Just something fun to get people in our doors, with champagne in their hands and hang out.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is the lake. We went to the lake Tulloch every summer. The house would be packed with kids, a couple families, with not enough rooms for everyone. We would tube and rope swing, play cards… I kind of want that for my kids, but maybe it’s the beach that they will remember, I didn’t grow up with that.
Contact Info:
- Address: 323 Pier Ave. Hermosa Beach CA 90254
- Website: www.beckandbrix.com
- Phone: 4242372401
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @beckandbrix
Image Credit:
Kimber Brown
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