Salon Marketing and Business
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Stylus Salon Seattle review for NW Stylist Jan 09
http://www.stylusseattle.net/
Nothing gets my juices flowing more than walking into a salon that looks like it was designed with a purpose. Not only was I taken aback by the sheer beauty of the space at Stylus Salon, but the first thing I noticed was the Ikea furniture. (To be fair, the owners have taken the initiative to tweak furniture for functional salon needs, which just adds to the impressiveness of it.) The reason I need to point this out is that a salon of this caliber could possibly be intimidating to potential clients, and on the flip side, the over usage of such a commercially distributed furniture line could bring the value down of your establishment. This is not the case at Stylus Salon in the Belltown district of Seattle. The people greet you with smiles that are wrapped in style. Stylus has managed to hit the mark at every level - the staff is stylish and welcoming, a very hard balance to find in this industry. It is remarkable that the space manages to be quite breathtakingly beautiful AND approachable. I want to live here.
Robert, one of the co-owners, pointed out the unique feel of the styling chairs, "I am a big Star Trek fan!" I just become delighted when business owners' quirks get integrated into their livelihood. There is something personal about it that adds to the flavor and feel. Stylus Salon came out of 19 years of watching everyone else do it, and knowing it could be done better. He agrees that although it certainly isn't a 'cakewalk', to be successful it seems that a little common sense can get you a long way. "You have to use common sense and learn from everybody; pick things up along the way."
One of the exciting features is the three tiers of light settings, which include a special setting for parties, and the four skylights that add the usually missing element of natural light. The salon hosts an art show every two months, as they have rotating art, and can clear the stations so as not to be in the way. The coffee bar can quickly transform into a bar.
If this doesn't seem to impress you, walking down into the spa area most certainly will - maybe not as much from the perspective of a client, but as an owner the little nuances that have been added are genius. The scent is wonderful, and is changed four times a year according to season. Each treatment room has a clouded window, where the operator lights a certain candle to define the service, or VIP client she has inside. In the room that includes the greatest shower ever invented, a client will blow out a candle to let the operator know she is done with her shower and ready for her treatment. This saves the irritating knocking that sometimes happens when a client is trying to decompress. The shower that is hosted in the last room has the usual bells and whistles, complete with all sorts of settings and such. Now for the add-ons: it is complete with a waterproof remote control, booming radio, can be hooked to your cell-phone, and even has an alarm in case of a water emergency. This thing is also self cleaning. I want one for my home.
"All clients get a 'ride' in the machine," Spa director May Ling sais. She was also voted best brow in Seattle 2007 by Seattle Magazine. The shower can be used after a massage in the morning when a client would like to free herself of oils before heading to work. Towards the latter part of the day a client is more than welcome to shower before a massage, to be able to really clean off and be able to decompress from her work day and get the most from the service. May's personal treatment room is spacious enough to accommodate four operators for one client, so as to be able to make the most of a busy client's time.
These owners are so chock full of common sense they didn't even require an architect. I find that to be the most impressive icing on the cake.
Check out Stylus Salon
http://www.stylusseattle.net/
2321 2nd avenue
Seattle 98121
"success is not the result of spontaneous combustion, you must set yourself on fire" - Reggie Leach
mandy zelinka for 77 voted 2007 best hair salon of Portland by citysearch.com
www.seventyseven.us | www.mandyzelinka.us
www.mandyzelinka.blogspot.com | www.seventyseven.blogspot.com
Nothing gets my juices flowing more than walking into a salon that looks like it was designed with a purpose. Not only was I taken aback by the sheer beauty of the space at Stylus Salon, but the first thing I noticed was the Ikea furniture. (To be fair, the owners have taken the initiative to tweak furniture for functional salon needs, which just adds to the impressiveness of it.) The reason I need to point this out is that a salon of this caliber could possibly be intimidating to potential clients, and on the flip side, the over usage of such a commercially distributed furniture line could bring the value down of your establishment. This is not the case at Stylus Salon in the Belltown district of Seattle. The people greet you with smiles that are wrapped in style. Stylus has managed to hit the mark at every level - the staff is stylish and welcoming, a very hard balance to find in this industry. It is remarkable that the space manages to be quite breathtakingly beautiful AND approachable. I want to live here.
Robert, one of the co-owners, pointed out the unique feel of the styling chairs, "I am a big Star Trek fan!" I just become delighted when business owners' quirks get integrated into their livelihood. There is something personal about it that adds to the flavor and feel. Stylus Salon came out of 19 years of watching everyone else do it, and knowing it could be done better. He agrees that although it certainly isn't a 'cakewalk', to be successful it seems that a little common sense can get you a long way. "You have to use common sense and learn from everybody; pick things up along the way."
One of the exciting features is the three tiers of light settings, which include a special setting for parties, and the four skylights that add the usually missing element of natural light. The salon hosts an art show every two months, as they have rotating art, and can clear the stations so as not to be in the way. The coffee bar can quickly transform into a bar.
If this doesn't seem to impress you, walking down into the spa area most certainly will - maybe not as much from the perspective of a client, but as an owner the little nuances that have been added are genius. The scent is wonderful, and is changed four times a year according to season. Each treatment room has a clouded window, where the operator lights a certain candle to define the service, or VIP client she has inside. In the room that includes the greatest shower ever invented, a client will blow out a candle to let the operator know she is done with her shower and ready for her treatment. This saves the irritating knocking that sometimes happens when a client is trying to decompress. The shower that is hosted in the last room has the usual bells and whistles, complete with all sorts of settings and such. Now for the add-ons: it is complete with a waterproof remote control, booming radio, can be hooked to your cell-phone, and even has an alarm in case of a water emergency. This thing is also self cleaning. I want one for my home.
"All clients get a 'ride' in the machine," Spa director May Ling sais. She was also voted best brow in Seattle 2007 by Seattle Magazine. The shower can be used after a massage in the morning when a client would like to free herself of oils before heading to work. Towards the latter part of the day a client is more than welcome to shower before a massage, to be able to really clean off and be able to decompress from her work day and get the most from the service. May's personal treatment room is spacious enough to accommodate four operators for one client, so as to be able to make the most of a busy client's time.
These owners are so chock full of common sense they didn't even require an architect. I find that to be the most impressive icing on the cake.
Check out Stylus Salon
http://www.stylusseattle.net/
2321 2nd avenue
Seattle 98121
"success is not the result of spontaneous combustion, you must set yourself on fire" - Reggie Leach
mandy zelinka for 77 voted 2007 best hair salon of Portland by citysearch.com
www.seventyseven.us | www.mandyzelinka.us
www.mandyzelinka.blogspot.com | www.seventyseven.blogspot.com
posted by Mandy Zelinka at 8:22 AM
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