We’re looking forward to introducing you to Susana Haro. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Susana, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My husband and I look up parks we have never been to before and we go walk in them. If the park is particular nice we visit it again.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, my name is Susana Haro and I am the proud owner of Summer House Salon. Our salon is located in beautiful South Redondo Beach, CA.
I have been in the hair industry for 30 years and have worked in many different hair salons. In the hair industry hair stylists and barbers are wanting flexibility so I created Summer House Salon so individuals could run their own business as they saw fit. Working as little or as much as you want,
We have chair rentals that range from one day a week to seven days a week. There are no contracts, no overhead costs and no pressure to fit in or to be someone you are not.
It’s an open salon so we can still see each other and help each other if needed. It’s not isolated like salon suites so it’s still feels like a community.
We have hair artists that specialize in different things so we can serve everyone who walks through our door.
We have only been open for two years but it’s been a fun ride so far and I hope we can keep it going for many years to come.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
As a child my father never said no to anything I asked him for, he would instead ask me if I had money to do what I wanted. It may sound cruel to some but in reality it thought me that if I wanted something I needed to work so I could get money to obtain it.
My parents always worked hard and I started working at a pretty young age. I remembered getting my first pay check. I didn’t know what to spend it on. My mom looked at me and told me I could buy anything I wanted with it because I had earned it.
That made me feel powerful, it meant I had agency over my like and I could make my life whatever I wanted it to be.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I was forced to close my first hair salon in Culver City in 2021. We put so much love hard work and invested so much money to keep it open and it was useless.
I was heartbroken and devastated, I still miss it sometimes. After we shut the doors I told myself I could never put myself through that again and I wasn’t interested in being an owner.
I lied, having my own salon is the best decision I ever made for myself. In 2023 I opened Summer House Salon a salon. I am so happy that I did. We have a great team and I am so proud of what we have.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, there is only one of me. My husband says I’m painfully honest. I could never be someone I’m not. That sounds exhausting.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had 10 years left I would spend less time at work and more time with my extended family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.summerhouse.salon/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summerhouse.salon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094721907399&mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/FTiH6jf0H9
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uxb1XgHheaC41wmA6?g_st=ac
