Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Riley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Natalie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
All through high school I was torn between going to school to become a teacher or going to school to become a hairstylist. It was during my Junior Year in High School that I made my final decision to attend Cosmetology School at North Shore Community College. After just a few months in Cosmetology School, I knew I had made the right decision and I had a crystal clear vision for my career.
My plan was to learn as much as possible from anyone who was willing to teach me, put in as many hours as I could and open my own salon before I was 25. After graduating from Cosmo School I found my first job in Melrose, Ma.
Although I learned a lot about life experiences and gained some serious wise words of wisdom from the older clientele I knew shortly after starting that this would not be my forever home and made moves within a year to a salon not far down the street. I fell in love with everything about my second salon! The welcoming staff and enthusiastic clientele immediately made it feel like home.
During my four years, there my confidence in my “life decision” to become a hairstylist became weak and my life vision was starting to get bury. I was at an age where I was not sure about much of anything but I did know one thing, I needed a change! As much as it broke my heart I left my job and enrolled at Elizabeth Grady to become dual licensed as an Esthetician and a Massage Therapist.
My mindset was that having multiple licenses would help with my future business but I could not have been more wrong. My heart was in love with doing hair and that was what I was going to do. My next move was closer to home at a salon in Amesbury, Ma where I learn the in’s and out’s of what to do and what not to do when it came to running a business. I also learned that I was done working for someone and I was ready to venture out on my own. I can proudly say that I opened Eclipx in September 2012 just a few months after I turned 24.
My vision has become my reality and I get to do what I love every day. I now have the best of both worlds. I get to do hair and share my passion with everyone around me. I am not only a business owner but a hairstylist & mentor to anyone that wants to learn the in’s and out’s of the industry. I am super thankful for my family and my team who have been on this roller coaster with me!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course it has not been a smooth road but every bump along the way has been a learning experience. Some of the major things I struggle with are finding balance and learning to delegate. I am a bit of a control freak but thankfully I am slowly learning to take a step back. find time for myself and ask for help.
Eclipx Salon – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Eclipx is a small salon located on Rt. 110 in Salisbury, Ma. In the salon, we offer all sorts of services related to hair including but not limited to cuts, colors, gel nails, facial waxing and smoothing treatments. Upstairs in our Style Lounge, we offer blowouts, styling lessons, updos and bridal services. We also have a team member who offers lash services.
I feel that as a whole we are best known for our atmosphere and I have to say that is what I am most proud of. As a team, we value the client experience and have a very large amount of respect for each other which in turn creates a very welcoming, positive and customer service environment for everyone that enters the salon.
What sets us apart? I believe our common value to continue our educations both mentally and physically is what sets us apart from other salons. We are constantly and consistently learning new tips and techniques used to better serve our clients.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career as a business owner was when I hit year five and realized that my business had started running itself. Although I am here all the time I no longer had to be present in order for the salon to function. Everyone told me the first 5 years are the hardest and hitting that milestone was a huge accomplishment for me.
Contact Info:
- Address: 50 Elm St Suite 6 Salisbury Ma 01952
- Website: www.eclipxhair.com
- Phone: 9782554483
- Email: hair@eclipxsalon.com
- Instagram: @eclipx_hair @salisbury_stylelounge
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/eclipxsalon
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/eclipx-salon-salisbury-3?osq=eclipx+salon
Image Credit:
Madison Williams Photography
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