Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephani Salcido.
Hi Stephani, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the owner of MANE Soul formally known as The Artistic Lair. I was 26 when I decided that I wanted to work for myself so I took the plunge and opened my salon with three chairs. I worked alone with my assistant for about a year and slowly but surely stylist came. I eventually added two more chairs totaling five. The salon evolved as had I. Being a single lady opening a business to freshly married with my first child in the first two years of business. Fast forward to now 2021 (six years later) having been through a pandemic, having another baby, losing money, and losing staff I had decided to change the name of the salon and bring in a new vibe. Thus MANE Soul was born. MANE for our hair & Soul for who we are. MANE Soul represents the beauty within each of us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A PANDEMIC! ha but seriously being in business for the first time without a clue of how to run it is no joke. Managing money, a team and your overall business while still working behind the chair is challenging to say the least. I look at it like riding a bike…you might fall down several times but no matter what get back up and keep riding. Things will always come up, I think how you deal with them is more important than the issue itself. Self-discipline and leaving your personal emotions checked at the door are important as well.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a tight-knit boutique salon. There are four hairstylists, one make up artist and one brow/ lip blush artist. The energy flows so beautifully and seamlessly. We work by appointment only and pride ourselves in customer service. We’re laidback, warm, and professional. Our niche is beautiful hair, positive vibes and intentional beauty. We also offer our guests who are into spirituality card readings, and very soon Reiki! We sell hair product that is environmentally friendly + clean. We also sell Urth Beauty (natural deodorant, organic, cruelty-free, plastic-free) which is a Latina owned “good for your skin, kind to the planet”. We will slowly but surely be offering more unique products & services for our guests.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I was really scared when I first opened not sure how I was going to make it happen. I just knew I had to make it work no matter what. I took a risk at 26 with $10,000. I had this money to not only pay for all my licensing fees, city/permit fees but to also redo the entire place prior to moving in which included redoing the floors, electrical, drywall, painting, plumbing, and furnishing the place. I’m not sure how I did it but I did. Without a clue on how to run my business, I had a lot of learning to do. Getting an accountant, learning many new ropes and building a team were essential to bringing the salon to where it is today. Also having been through a pandemic and not permanently shutting my doors shows my resiliency.
Contact Info:
- Email: Stephani@manesoul.com
- Website: Manesoul.com
- Instagram: Manesoulsalon
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/y1LYylkx2eb
