Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Savino.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michelle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up on the North Shore. In high school, I majored in Art. My plan was to attend college to study Art, which I did for 1 semester. In the back of my head was always a desire to do hair.
I quit college and put myself through hairdressing school. The one class I really loved in college was color theory. This proved to be true in hair dressing as well. Color theory and my art background has helped me in my career as a hair stylist and color expert.
Out of school, I worked for a salon in Winchester. My boss Maria taught me everything I needed to know from hair to work ethic. I worked in that area for many years before getting married, moving to Holliston and having kids.
I worked for a couple different salons in the Holliston area, but then I realized that what I really wanted, was to own my own salon. I knew I could make a successful salon. And I wanted to teach new stylists what I learned from my first boss.
I bought “Marilyn’s Hair Salon” in 2012. Signed the papers, closed the doors for renovations and opened 10 days later…Salone de Bella was born.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to success can be bumpy…. When a hair stylist changes salon they never keep all of their clientele, even if the move is up the street. Marilyn and a couple of her stylists stayed on when I bought the business. Unfortunately, they were not busy enough and only worked a few days per week. I really had to build the business up almost from scratch. getting the name out there through all avenues of advertising and word of mouth. On top of building a new business I had some personal struggles happening as well. I had major wrist surgery, a breast biopsy and marriage issues which led to separation, then divorce.
The biggest struggle however, was not taking home a paycheck. You don’t think about that when you open a business. Every penny went back to the business.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Salone de Bella story. Tell us more about the business.
My salon in some ways reminds me of the movie “Steel Magnolias”. This is where the people gather. On certain days women see each other once a week or once a month.
Marilyn snaps her gum while telling the same story over and over to each of her clients.
Britt enters the salon every day with a chipper attitude and some joyous “Hello My Lovelies”.
We have 3 Cindys, which can get confusing. Cheryl worked with me at other salons. Maddie is a high school student who is the receptionist on most Saturdays. “Beverly”, whose name is actually Michelle also, but we call her “Beverly” is my right hand and sometimes my brain and memory too! Our clients are of all age ranges, lots of families. I love this place.
Aside from our top quality work, I think Salone de Bella is also known for being super clean and inviting. My stylists are professional but so friendly. We laugh and joke with each other, as well as our clients.
I believe what sets apart from other salons, is that Salone de Bella is not a “spa”. This is a full-service hair salon. We do some facial waxing, but we are really all about your hair. For our clients, its personal. We are not trying to sell you another service as in a “spa”. Salone de Bella is all about healthy hair and at the same time, we want to make you look beautiful!
We do everything … men’s, women’s and children cuts. We specialize and are certified in color and Keratin smoothing. We do all types of highlights whether it be foils, cap or balayage. And of course, we still do lots of perms and blow outs.
What also sets apart from other salons is that we are part of this beautiful town that is all about the families and businesses that reside here. We contribute as a salon back to the community with volunteering and donating our time and money that we have raised through different events around town.
Salone de Bella along with my stylists have hosted 3 fashion shows to raise money for “Holliston in Bloom”, an organization that beautifies the town through flowers and things around town. We have also taken part in “Celebrate Holliston” by doing fun and funky hair styles for a minimum donation. Money raised was then donated to different organizations from cancer to the local food pantry.
In this salon we are all equal, we support and help each other. It’s like family.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The past few years hair has become super colorful…. I think the industry is going to get back to natural looking hair colors and highlights.
Hair colors have been fun and funky with the pinks, blues, greens and purples. But I see people getting back to basics. Shifting back to brunettes, auburns and blondes.
Pricing:
- Haircuts range from 24.00 to 42.00
- Root Touchs start at 46.00
- Full Foil starts at 95.00
- Partial Foil starts at 67.00
- Blow Outs start at 22.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 416 Washington St.
- Website: www.salonedebella.com
- Phone: 5084292287
- Email: info@salonedebella.com
- Facebook: @salonedebella
- Yelp: Salone De Bella
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