Conversations with Felicia Saltzbart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Saltzbart.

Hi Felicia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a mom of three, I found myself stuck between two extremes while trying to get my kids haircuts; on the one end there are salons that cater to toddlers and feel childish, and on the other end there are salons for adults that tend to be expensive, intimidating, and disconnected from how young people actually see themselves. What was missing was a space for tweens, teens and young adults that treated hair as identity, not just grooming – especially during those confusing “in-between” years. And a location that was convenient whether near home, school or a sporting event.

Realizing I have zero talent cutting hair and never finding a stylist at a franchise salon who stayed more than 6 months, I decided to create that space, which has become The Cut Truck. It is a commercial truck reimagined as an upscale, welcoming and confidence boosting hair salon – regularly parked in Venice and popping up everywhere from apartment buildings and schools, to birthday parties and community events.

So what started out of a real-life necessity developed into a neighborhood salon! And our clients are the best part – meeting each and every one reminds us that we are all part of a community. Everyone is invited to come hang with us, even if you don’t need a cut. We’ve had everyone from whole families getting individual tidy ups, to CEOs getting a style upgrade on their lunch breaks, to young athletes coming to us for a switch up (and getting an education on the ideal haircare routine for them!).

Our home base is 606 Venice Boulevard, right off of Abbot Kinney and across from Erewhon. We love meeting new faces and showing the space – everyone enjoys it; we have snacks, drinks, fun music and good vibes. Kids especially like to tour the front cab. I often take them to sit behind the wheel which is a real thrill! Oh and we adore dogs so bring along your 4 legged friend for treats and lots of love!

Alright, 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?
Has it been a smooth road? Haha, not exactly. Turns out building a mobile business comes with a learning curve. I’ve navigated everything from licenses and permits to parking, traffic and schedules that change five minutes before arrival.

But every challenge just reinforces why The Cut Truck works – people need flexibility, and I’ve learned to build a business that’s just as adaptable as the families and young adults we serve.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
If you take a look at our Google reviews, you’ll see people love The Cut Truck for the environment we create and the snacks we serve! I don’t want hangry clients so I am constantly refilling our healthy and not-as-healthy options! But truly what sets us apart from other hair salons is that we are the only one that exists with tweens, teens and young adults (and their families) at the forefront of everything we do. We created the space by actually going out and asking both females and males ages 8-18 what they want, what they need and what they want to see. We asked them about everything from the products they use, to the brands they wear, to the music they like to hear. So the end result is a youth-forward salon created by a youthful audience.

And of course our stylists are our magic sauce; caring, calm, attentive and engaging, they educate each person in the chair and create a relationship so people want to come back. We’ve had customers – and their parents – get a full hair education during their appointment, whether it’s how to treat curly hair, how often to wash teenage hair, or the best products to use to style certain hair textures. You’re never just getting a hair cut!

Also convenience is another huge differentiator. Days move at full speed from morning to bedtime, and finding time for haircuts feels impossible. A salon that is onsite in the neighborhood or at your kids school makes hair care one less thing to juggle for everyone.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
You don’t need to know everything from day one. Do your research, ask questions, take feedback, and stay flexible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecuttruck.com
• Instagram: @thecuttruckla
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecuttruckla
• TikTok: @thecuttruckla