Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Donovan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I began working as a stylist at 18, it was the “family business;” my father and brother were also stylists and owned the salon Prime Cuts. I found hairdressing repetitive and lacking in personal challenge, and I was happy to quit once I married. However, two years after my son was born, I was divorced and needed to find a job. My brother Richard understood my desire for financial independence as a single mom, and he convinced me to learn Vidal Sassoon’s new “cut and blow-dry” from Europe. This new approach to hair had a huge impact on hair styling, and to my surprise I found it exciting and stimulating. I traveled to train with respected hairstylists across Europe, and embraced the required study of the science, technology and methodology of hair. It was gratifying to help men, women and children look their best.
My brother Richard continued to mentor me, as I began managing a salon with 25 chairs called “Great Beginnings.” I then moved to Lexington, MA, to work once again with my parents, and established blue – a complete hair salon. My study of hair has never stopped, and as time went on I began training and mentoring younger stylists. All too often, education for the salon industry concentrates on passing the cosmetology licensure exams, while failing to give adequate professional preparation for cutting hair to enable each person to look their absolute best. I find joy in helping stylists with a burning passion for hair to reach their full potential, and achieve financial success. The numerous awards I have received, including several from “Best of Boston,” and Allure, reflect my legacy – teaching stylists in this new millennium that this business requires more than just cutting hair, but also the study of bone and skull structure, a deep understanding of color and undertones, and the art of listening.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Good things can come out of the sorrow and difficulties that happen in in life. The death of my son’s father was the event that precipitated my move to Lexington. Working with my parents allowed me more flexibility in caring for my son as he dealt with the loss of his father. That was also when I began to mentor and teach young stylists. My mother’s sudden illness and death, and my father’s subsequent decision to retire, provided the opportunity for me to create blue. Fulfilling my vision for a high end boutique salon where a person could get city style hair experience outside of Boston. A walk out of seven stylists in my salon from blue to a salon 2 miles away challenged me to come up with a strategy to deal with this growing trend, creating a contract for stylists which protected the salon. I realized also that my skills as a hair stylist didn’t mean I knew how to run a business. I worked with others to develop business skills, provide health insurance and a 401K plan. My reputation spread, as I became known for being one of the best salons in the area with amazing education, passion, and teamwork setting us apart from the rest.
Blue – A Complete Hair Salon – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Blue – A Complete Hair Salon is a boutique, where I and my staff provide precision cuts, high end color and highlights with the newest techniques of hair painting and Balayage, specialized conditioning treatments and Brazilian Blowouts, facial waxing and brow shaping, makeup and up-dos for special occasions. I am proud that, as one of my clients put it, when they come to blue, there is “…never a bad haircut, never a bad color.” I have been seeing some of my clients for over 20 years; other clients have moved away from the Boston area, yet make an appointment every time they are back in town.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The beauty industry as it was is broken, and no one fully understands where it will go. The internet, social media, and changing demographics have altered the way salons function, and the power dynamic has shifted from the salon owner to the individual stylists. Salons who do not recognize this fundamental shift will not survive.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10 Muzzey Street
Lexington MA 02421 - Phone: (781) 862-2030
- Email: bluesalon1@aol.com
- Instagram: Blueacompletehairsalon
- Facebook: @bluecompletehairsalon
