Meet Trailblazer Yolanda Cellucci

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Cellucci.

Yolanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Around 1968, I started selling wigs to chemotherapy patients and head injury patients.

Going to hospitals to service clients. Started selling wigs@ home parties. Realizing that wigs were not enough that makeup and apparel completed the look.

So, I started producing fashion shows for charity organizations combining clothing – makeup and hairstyling.

I was running the business from my home and the trunk of my car.

Dropping my children off @ school and selling to beauty salons all over New England.

It caught on and one day, I found a building for rent and decided to start a business with all of these services under one roof.

We opened a health spa in the basement along with a beauty salon, wig salon, and a clothing boutique.

It caught on and in 5 years, we needed to expand. After trying to find the perfect location, my husband decided to build me a building. But this time we added a swimming pool, a coffee shop, massage, steam, and sauna.

It was a first of all of New England.

A client could come in and exercise, experience saunas, steam – massage and swim.

If she wanted she could enjoy lunch and get a facial-manicure-pedicure and new hairstyle.

She could pick up a new outfit a pair of nylons and a tube of lipstick.

We carried everything head to toe -shoes-furs- evening gowns = hats-accessories.

We kept growing and enlarging and for 45 years servicing clients their children and their grandchildren.

We were known for the ultimate in bridal and evening wear and won numerous awards and
citations.

Last 10 years, we were approached by many businesses who wanted to network with us.

So, since we owned the building, we found spaces we rented areas of the salon to other business owners that complimented what we were all about.

We renamed it the event center @ yolandas, there were montillios cake, Mr. tux tuxedos, yours truly invitations, travel agency, florist, so our clients could plan all their events under one roof.

After a successful 10 year run, we were approached by developers to purchase our building and land to expand their property.

Our business was so strong and successful but I was turning 75 and realized it was time to consider.

They gave us time to. Close and honor all our orders and place all our employees in a job.

It was a deal we could not turn down.

I am now a personalshopper @ nieman marcus in Framingham and have my own tv show called
style and glamour with Yolanda.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was a rocky road getting started and everyone said all these businesses in one would not work. But we proved differently.

Getting the capital to get started was difficult since it was such a new idea.

A reputation of paying your bills on time is essential.

Being honest with every client is crucial.

Building relations with clients and competitors.

Do not expand to quickly and open several locations when you are not able to oversee them.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Yolanda Enterprises Inc. – what should we know?
Loved my work inspiring women to be the best they could be and gain the confidence

To excel in all they do.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Yes — we were told to work hard and keep a good reputation.

Always tell the truth.

My parents gave a lot of love and encouragement but could not financially help.

Contact Info:

• Address: 125 COOLIDGE AVE PENTHOUSE 809
• Website: www.yolandas.com
• Phone: 617-777-8045
• Email: glamour@yolandas.com
• Facebook: Yolanda cellucci

Image Credit:
Cheryl Clegg Photographer, Cheryl Richards Photographer

Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.