Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Harrison.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I just want to say Thank you for this opportunity. I am so sorry for the delay. I’m still running most of the business, so it’s hard to juggle it all.
Hi, I’ve been a hairstylist for 18 years in Westlake Village, CA. In the beginning it’s been a great career helping me to support my son and the flexibility to be present in his life. I’m now married with 3 boys and now the owner of Aurora Salon. The salon I was working for closed, and it sent me on tour of salons in the area. It was hard to see myself calling them home, so I looked into the old space I was at it was available. So, I took the space over, remodeled it and it is called Aurora Salon.
Located in Westlake Village, CA, we aim to give our clients a relaxing and refreshing space. I want every client to leave feeling the best version of their self.
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?
Covid was a huge challenge for my business. I received my permits to build on the day of the closure. Designing the salon was a challenge material was so hard to get then. Since I was designing it, I spent hours trying to find materials. I was trying to learn how to run a business. Google and Summit Salon were my go-to on advice on how to run a salon. So, from day one, it was a challenge. I opened in October 2020 and was shut down 3 weeks later. Finally, opening in. February 2021. Finding employees and stylist to rent stations was a challenge. Covid Assistance for a new business nonexistent, so bills were due. I worked very hard to try and make ends meet. At one point I was working 12–14-hour days to take every client that walked in the door, I could not afford to lose one service. Trying to keep a smile on my face was hard. Little by little I gained stylists and employees. Today, I am still looking for Stylists to rent my Stations. The staff and Stylists that are in the salon are all great, they work hard, have such a great attitude, and talented I am lucky to have them. I was told owning a business as hard, but doing it during a pandemic was emotionally and physically exhausting… I tried really hard to be a good business owner/stylist behind the chair/social media /marketing manager/mother/wife.
Learning how to run a business and manage people has been one of the biggest challenges I have faced, and I still am learning.
I have learned a lot of things and a lot about myself and what I want in life.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Upscale modern salon. Clean and inviting. We aim to have the clients leave feeling better than they came in. Every detail has been carefully thought out. I want the stylists to feel at home and proud to give their clients beautiful looks in a clean, inviting space.
Contact Info:
- Website: aurorasalonwlv.com
- Instagram: @aurorasalonwlv.com
- Facebook: aurorasalonwlv
Image Credits
Mitch Holloway
