Today we’d like to introduce you to Anny VanDriel.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Anny. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began my hair career during my senior year of high school. I’ve always wanted to be a hairdresser. I did later attend college, figuring it was a good back up plan if I ever broke my arm. I worked my way through college and eventually graduated from Arizona State University. After college, I decided I should stop doing hair and get a “real” job. I wanted my work to be meaningful and feel like I was contributing. I tried working in nonprofit and found my “real” job uninspiring. I wasn’t happy. Thankfully my husband kindly suggested going back to hair, because I love hair. And so I did, I called it “hair round 2”.
Being away from the industry for a minute allowed me to come back to it with a fresh perspective. I realized that by being a hairdresser, I help people every day and that I actually have the ability to impact the lives of people who sit in my chair. Instead of feeling like “just a hairdresser” I felt grateful for a career that provided me flexibility, meaning and fun. I sincerely believe that helping others look and feel beautiful restores confidence and makes a difference.
I started paying attention to industry trends and diving into hair education. I started to meet some incredibly talented and passionate hairdressers and gravitated to them. Ultimately I was given the opportunity to become an educator and spent two years traveling around the US teaching balayage classes to hairdressers. I loved it. I mostly loved how excited these other hairdressers were to learn and grow. Seeing this passion to lead to my decision to open a salon.
Honestly, I never wanted to be a salon owner. It was never a goal or a plan of mine. But I felt the need to try to create a salon space that was a little bit different. I wanted a salon where stylists can feel comfortable learning and working together as a team, yet still be individuals and have the freedom and flexibility that they crave. I believe the more we work together and help each other, we can create a better, more consistent experience for our clients.
For our Claremont community we try to be an active, participating business. We regularly host free hairstyling workshops for our community. We give back a percentage of our retail sales proceeds to a local charity – since we opened last March we’ve already donated more than $1,000. We organize and host an annual haircut fundraiser and donate 100% of profits to Claremont Educational Foundation. On Giving Tuesday we gave free color and cut services to the women of Crossroads, Inc. and will make this an annual tradition as well. Our entire team actively participates in giving back – and we love it.
I now educate in the salon for my team and local hairdressers. I offer one-on-one balayage education for stylists and also offer discounted rates for students, hair assistants and anyone just starting out in the industry. I also teach with a group of industry educators called House of Collaboration. We team up to provide larger educational events and showcase various balayage techniques.
That’s why Be Rosie Salon exists. One more thing – Rosie was the name of my grandmother. She was also a hairdresser. She died of cancer in her very early 40’s. I never knew her but I think she may have loved doing hair as much as I do. I love that she can have a little part of this business.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Does anyone answer yes to this question?! No, not smooth but I’ve learned so much. Mostly to remain flexible, be patient and not to sacrifice my own self-care.
My earliest struggle was simply being a hairdresser and hearing or feeling the judgment that comes along with that. This is a common industry discussion so I’m pretty sure it’s not just me. It sometimes seems that “being just a hairdresser” somehow isn’t a respectable enough profession. I’m old enough and experienced enough now to not let that bother me, but it does bother me to see it affecting newer, less confident hairdressers. So struggle #1 I guess is to ignore what others think and do it anyway!
My actual struggles with the business have generally been that it isn’t at all what I expected and I’ve had to learn so much as I go. I didn’t think it would be easy, but I did think that people would come and experience our service and love our service and tell all their friends and come back! Kind of, but kind of not. I didn’t take into account how loyal women are to their stylist! It takes a lot to convert a new client. Especially with a business of hairdressers that are all building a client base at the same time. So learning how to attract and retain new clients quickly has been a challenge.
Another unexpected challenge has been learning how to effectively lead my team. Everyone learns differently, communicates differently, has different strengths and weaknesses. Learning how to help everyone work to their full potential has been tough. And to maintain an environment where everyone is content and happy requires so much direct communication. It’s rewarding when we’re all working together and on the same page but it’s a lot of maintenance.
Also, owning and operating a business is like starting a new job that you have no idea how to do. It requires a whole different skill set and a new way of thinking. Learning how to do HR, marketing, training, financing, janitor, handyman, etc. It’s hard not to become overwhelmed and to have patience with myself as I learn.
Another struggle that I’ve had to push through is the constant questioning myself. I think that comes along with building confidence through experience, and since owning a business and leading a team is a new experience I do question myself! I often wonder if I’m doing the right thing, saying the right thing, working hard enough, helping enough, helping too much, etc. Deep breathing and meditation are helpful for this.
Please tell us about Be Rosie Salon.
What do we do: We’re a hair salon so we do hair, mostly color and cutting. We create a welcoming, comfortable and friendly environment for our clients. Our entire team helps each other out. It is common to have another stylist assist during a color appointment, or shampoo a client who is waiting. We pay attention to each other and to all of the clients to make sure everyone is well taken care of. We also give back. We offer free hairstyling workshops to our clients, host fundraisers for our community and donate a percentage of our retail sales to local charities.
What do we specialize in: We specialize in creating natural-looking hair color is reflective of what nature herself would do – showcase the beauty created by dimension. Subtle, sun-kissed face-framing. Bright blonde ends reminiscent of summers at the beach. Allowing natural grey to begin shining through or masking grey entirely while creating believable dimension. Techniques such as open air balayage, faux balayage, reverse balayage, foil highlighting and grey blending are used to create signature looks unique to the individual. The outcome is effortless looking hair color that appears as nature intended, only better.
What we are known for: I believe we are known for creating beautiful, natural hair and also for our contribution to our community.
What we’re most proud of: Our team. We have a great team that genuinely cares about the product they are putting out, our clients and each other. Also our give back. We’re so grateful that we can give back to the community who gives to us.
What sets us apart: We’re more than just a salon. Yes, we do hair but we work towards so much more. We value each individual who walks in the door, stylist or client, and sincerely try to do our best for every person. We value learning and are constantly working to improve our skills and our team as a whole. We value community and do our best to be valuable community members.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could have a do over I would hire more stylists prior to opening. I started with just myself. I soon hired two stylists but they were both building clientele. It’s been very tough to build clientele for an entire salon that is just starting out.
Pricing:
- Balayage ranges from $175-$240
- Single process color ranges from $80 to $145
- Haircuts range from $45 to $65
Contact Info:
- Address: 849 W. Foothill Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711 - Website: berosiesalon.com
- Phone: (909) 260-4261
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @berosiesalon
- Facebook: @berosiesalon
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/be-rosie-salon-claremont
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
