Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelia Sellers and Jessie Rae Baker.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
We actually knew about one another many years before we ever met through a couple of different communities of friends but eventually found ourselves working at the same salon where our friendship really began. We pretty soon realized that starting our own business was our destiny. We grew as friends over a hot Los Angeles summer, thus the beginning of Hot Nights Hair. The deeper our friendship blossomed, the more we realized the world had already set our path in motion long before we first met.
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?
Luckily, our friendship has never been stronger. We work incredibly well together; we pick up each other’s slack somewhat seamlessly and make time to hang out together outside of the studio. The only struggles we’ve seemed to face was finding the right space, (which was much more difficult than either of us expected), and the ongoing experience of two first-time business owners. The paperwork, the permits, the behind the scene struggles that don’t end when we wrapped up a long day behind the chair, are the struggles two creatives face day-to-day. But the pro’s definitely outweigh the cons when it comes to ownership vs. booth renting.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hot Nights Hair – what should we know?
Hot Nights is a private, two chair hair studio. We’ve cultivated our business around our personalities; Amelia likes to say that Jessie is “a little bit country and I’m a lil bit Rock’n’Roll”, and we think that suits our individual styles as well as the aesthetic and overall feel of our environment.
Jessie has over 15 years experience in the industry, specializing in youthful color that’s inspired by the days she spent on the beaches of San Diego as a kid. Whether it be a subtle or dramatic change, “the best part of my day is watching the way people light up when they see the transformation that’s occurred…it expresses that they’ve found themselves again”.
Amelia has now over six years of experience, spending 2.5 of those years specializing in men’s grooming. Her interests have recently shifted into creating more retro styles, inspired by musicians of the 60s/70s/80s. Her razor is her favorite tool that allows her to carve out the perfect texture to create these styles. “Music has been one of my single biggest inspirations in my work. Musicians have a way of wearing their hair like a badge of style and sex appeal that I think everyone deserves”.
One thing that we think sets us apart is our space. The moment you walk through our door, you’re relaxed. Even though we’re in the heart of an industrial neighborhood, our studio has incredible light which feeds our many plants, and an airy feel that makes it feel like a sanctuary. We always have a pup to pet and beverages on hand, and maybe some tunes you’ve never heard before. We want our visitors to use the duration of their service to take time for themselves. It’s also important to ya that when you sit in our chairs, you’re getting quality one on one time with us. The privacy of our space lends itself to a specific calmness and personabilty that we’ve both found hard to find in other salons. We want newcomers to walk in as clients and leave as friends.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Our success in business roots itself in our mutual respect and love for our friendship. We push and respect each other, we can disagree and talk through disputes without holding grudges, and although we aren’t perfect humans all the time, we are perfect at overcoming hardships together. We make each other stronger and healthier women as we continue forward, we refuse to let one another fail. When one of us is overwhelmed, the other steps it up, reminding each other how strong we are, how deserving we are, and how far we have come. All that being said, “Womxn Supporting Womxn” might as well be on our flag (should we ever get around to making one).
Contact Info:
- Address: 1300 Factory Place
Suite #301
Los Angeles, CA 90013 - Email: hotnightshairstudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hot_nights_hair
- Yelp: www.styleseat.com/jessieraehair; www.styleseat.com/ameliasellers
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