April 3, 2017

Meet Lana Grand of Petite Mason in West Hollywood

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lana Grand.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Lana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I went from a straight A student to being bullied in school and dropping out. My mother said that if I wasn’t gonna go back to school then I better get a job. A new salon opened up in the area and needed help. I started assisting – sweeping up and shampooing. Two years later, I was a stylist. Four years later, I stood on the industry event’s stages presenting to other hairdressers. Eight years later I qualified for a sponsorship visa to come out to work in LA. I was 23, I thought I had it all.

Two years and three salons later, I couldn’t build the clientele, my bank cards were maxed out. Salons in London would not bring a stylist on unless they have an overflow of clients and really do work on making each stylist a part of the team. Majorly of big name salons in LA do not invest time or energy into building the stylist they bring on. It was a big shock to the system. Luckily, the brand I used to teach for in London had a corporate contract open up. It was a great experience to learn about my industry from a corporate angle. But the corporate person I was not and I joined one of our accounts salon in a gorgeous Manhattan Beach. There I was, reminded of an amazing team work and great leadership.

After 16 years in the industry, I decided to take this amazing beach energy, all the experience I have learned and my view on the leadership and take it back to where it all began for me in LA – West Hollywood/Beverly Hills area. I believe in team work, support, and not being in competition with anyone but yourself, and treating everyone – clients, coworkers, strangers, just like you would like to be treated, not depending on financial or social status. Be you. Have fun. Be kind.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely been a roller coaster! It happened fast. I was suggested to look into opening a shop by someone who had connections to the investors and realtors. We found a great location – investor fell through. Then eventually the location fell through too.

Now with my mind and heart heavily set at opening a shop – I was back at square one. Same time, on one of the ski trips I meet someone who was able to introduce me to a new realtor who only represents tenants – that was the beginning of the most whirlwind time. A month later, we secured the lease on one of the hottest streets in West Hollywood. A month later, a week before Christmas we went into construction. As all constructions go, we run a month late. With only a month left before the rent for tens of thousands was due, I still had to finish setting the place up, set up all the front desk operating systems, banking, interviewing, hiring, doing my existing clients, marketing, and all the sudden bits that start to go wrong or malfunction. It was A LOT for one person. I was emotionally drained and physically exhausted. And there was no way back. It gave me so much appreciation and respect for all the entrepreneurs and businesses people that built from ground up.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Petite Mason story. Tell us more about the business.
With an ethos of approachable high-end beauty delivered in a chic European-influenced space, Petite Mason is a new West Hollywood salon offering full-service hair, nails, waxing, facials, eyelash extensions, spray tan and makeup.

Rather than “another celebrity salon,” Petite Mason reflects my long standing philosophy that beauty can be elicited, and maintained, with less complication. Hair isn’t rocket science. It shouldn’t take 4-5 hours and two dozen processes to get it right. The salon’s 1,700-sq. ft. interior – open, clean, laidback and light-filled – visually reflects this philosophy with its comfortable design inspired by a Malibu beach home.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
My aim is to expand Petite Mason to San Francisco, Miami and other major markets within five years, positioning the brand both for locals and business/personal travelers as a trusted, full-service beauty solution. As well as starting a product line. As far as industry – I hope more salons will embrace nurturing talent culture rather than just making money.

Contact Info: