Video by Jordan Frakes
Although the downtown Phoenix hairstyling business has been challenged by the economy, originality can breed success.
The Medusa Hair Lounge, in the Alta Phoenix Lofts building, opened in late 2011. It is “super busy,” said the owner, Samantha Mason, who has been a stylist for eight years.
The business operates five days a week with two stylists, and each serves an average of six clients per day.
Mason believes the shop’s unique small-studio setting impacts its success.
“We offer a laid-back and intimate environment free of distraction,” Mason said.
While Mason was surprised by how well her business is doing, some other downtown Phoenix salon owners find it hard to maintain a profit.
“We’re challenged,” said Teresa Kelley, owner of the Youngblood Haircutters, at 50 E. Adams St. “People are spending less money on their hair and nails.”
YoungBlood’s 33-year experience has not shielded the veteran hair salon from the listing economy, which sent many former clients to cheaper shops, Kelley said.
The salon’s downtown location is also a challenge, she said. The lack of residential areas and public parking lots lead to limited regular clients, Kelley added.
“It’s not a destination,” Kelley said. “They don’t drive downtown, even to go to a restaurant.”
Kelley is not alone in her struggle. Several hair salons in downtown have gone out of business.
“When I put in an ad to hire employees, I had salon owners contacting me to buy their furniture,” Kelley said.
Barbershops are also feeling the pressure from the economy, as well as from competition from salons, which often offer men’s haircuts.
“They have taken away a lot of business,” said Eddie Zavurov, owner of Downtown Barbershop, at 216 N. Central Ave.
But Zavurov is not worried. He believes the barbershop’s strong focus on basic haircuts makes his business unique, and that the upscale hair salons make a clients’ experience complicated and unoriginal.
Simplicity and the free atmosphere keep customers coming back, Zavurov said.
“Eddie gives the best haircut in Arizona,” said Alan Doubleday, who has been a regular client at the barbershop for seven years. “It’s reliable.”
To make his barbershop more authentic, Zavurov hired Danny Combs to shine shoes by the entrance.
“Barbershops and shoeshine go hand in hand,” Zavurov added.
Downtown Salon, at 101 E. Monroe St., is doing well. Owner Trankie Romero said his profits grew 50 percent in fiscal year 2011.
Joseph Fornes, who spends $62 to have his hair cut twice per week at the Downtown Salon, said it’s worth it.
Romero works hard to increase the salon’s recognition and visibility among the limited number of downtown Phoenix residents. Consumer awareness and good reputation are the key to profit growth, he said.
“We need to do a great job to keep the clients happy,” Romero said, “so every client has something good to say.”
Downtown Salon’s uniqueness also comes from its customer service, Romero added. The “little touches,” such as the fresh water, hot teas and personal relationships, bring success.
Customer Rose Mary Brumett, a returning client, said “the service, the quality and the good people” are her favorite things about the salon.
Despite the difference in hair salons and barbershops, the owners all agreed on the importance of referrals.
Medusa Hair Lounge gives a free haircut to a client who has referred three new customers to the salon, Mason said. This incentive program is working well.
“It’s impossible to rely on people driving by,” Mason said. “We build our business on referrals.”
Downtown Salon and Downtown Barbershop also use social media to help market their businesses and attract customers.
The salon has received 545 “likes” and 174 “were here” on its Facebook page. The barbershop has a 4.5-star rating on Yelp, which Zavurov is very proud of.
Contact the reporter at ctian6@asu.edu
