Today we’d like to introduce you to Eurayshia Williams Reed.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I always wanted to open my own salon and clothing store. I went to Kay Harvey School of Cosmetology part time, It took me 2 years to finish because of working and moving from Western Mass to the Boston area, where I worked at Danny’s His and Hers and Randolph Styles with Character. These salons taught me a lot about customer service and how to care for hair properly. I also learned how important the reputation of your salon can be. Danny’s His and Hers was open for 32 years and is known to many. After moving to Worcester, MA to be closer to my full time job, I worked in a few salons and didn’t feel that they were living up the values I believed in. While in a beauty supply store I overheard the receptionist speaking about a salon that was going into bankruptcy. I asked a friend to look out for the building on MLS. She went above and beyond and spoke to the owner about selling his building. I really didn’t know anything about getting a commercial loan but everything fell into place and I am here 10 years later.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I am not ashamed to say that I cried for the first 3 years. It was very overwhelming and I lost a house trying to keep my salon open. I didn’t know enough about running a business so I made mistakes. When I opened it seemed that I was given a lot of opportunities but some of them were not good for my business and I lost money and time (which are the same in this business). Besides paying the bills, one of the biggest struggles was keeping and hiring staff. I didn’t know how to manage. It has and continues to be a learning experience.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The pride of my salon is its reputation in the city of Worcester and beyond. We are known for getting in and out and our professional behavior. Children are not running around screaming. The music and atmosphere is calm. We have a late policy to ensure our stylist stay on schedule. We rarely take walk -ins because our schedules rarely allows it. We specialize in multi-texture hair. We will service anyone. We require consultations so that the client and the stylist know exactly what is going to happen in the appointment. I take pride in making sure our customers are 100% satisfied. I am an educator for Design Essentials, on the advisory board at Worcester Technical High School, on the Worcester Women’s Leadership Conference committee, chair of the Diversed Professional Round table, on the Worcester Regional Chamber Commerce Board of Directors and A member of Central Mass Sisters of Excellence. I try to get involved in community events we I’m able. I hold community events such as Grass Roots Meetup and professional classes, both sponsored by Design Essentials Distributors and an annual Ladies Night. Shi-Shi’s Lounge was voted small business of the year in 2016, we have been voted best hair extensions, #7 hair salon in Worcester.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The city of Worcester is a good place to start a business. The city as well and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce has several resources for someone starting out and are very helpful.
When I was thinking of opening in Boston, I went to the City of Boston website and I found a lot of information on opening a business in the city and I was impressed with the information it offered.
Contact Info:
- Address: 376 Chandler Street
Worcester, MA - Website: www.shishisalon.net
- Phone: 508-304-7870
- Email: shishislounge@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shishair/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shishislounge
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/shishair
Image Credit:
Photographers: O & O Photography, Nick Black
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