We caught up with the brilliant and insightful LaRonda B. Cannon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
LaRonda B., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
Coming up with the name for my business involved careful consideration and brainstorming. I wanted a name that captured the essence of what my business does while also being memorable and unique. Salon VII (Sevyn) is named after my only daughter. I looked for inspiration in various places, such as industry-related keywords, nothing clicked for my personal story, and the values I wanted my business to represent. After numerous iterations and paper with names scratched out, I finally found the perfect name that combines all these elements and resonates with my audience which is “Salon VII” pronounced (Sevyn) . It is my daughter’s name. It represents my vision and it is for her. Seven is the number of completion. This is a legacy she will have forever.
LaRonda B., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hell World!! I am LaRonda Cannon, married and mother of 3! I have been in the salon industry for over 26 years. I fought it when I was younger but my goodness am I glad GOD pulled it out of me. I have always had a passion for hair and fashion. Most people thought that I would grow up to be a famous fashion designer, but that’s still in the works. I opened my 1st salon “Snatched Roots Salon” in 2019. I changed the name to Salon Sevyn when my daughter was born in 2021 to put it in her name. We go by Salon VII [the number seven in roman numerals]. As a licensed hair stylist, I offer a range of services to cater to the unique needs of individuals with natural hair and beyond. These services include natural hair styling, such as twists, braids, locs, and protective styles, as well as hair extensions to add length and volume. I also provide consultations and advice on hair care and maintenance, ensuring that clients can properly nourish their natural hair and keep it healthy. I have a hair care line with a range of products specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of individuals with naturally textured hair. This line includes sulfate-free, vegan, animal-free shampoos, deep conditioners, leave-in treatments, styling gels, oils, and masks that aim to moisturize, reduce frizz, and promote overall hair health. These products are typically made with natural ingredients and are free from harmful chemicals, providing an effective and gentle approach to care for and enhance natural hair.
My salon is truly one of a kind, offering a unique and personalized experience for each and every client. With my highly skill hands and a wide range of services, I strive to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere where customers can relax and leave feeling their best. From the moment you walk through my doors, you’ll experience a level of individualized attention that sets me apart from other salons.
As a salon owner, I find great joy in creating a welcoming and nurturing environment for my clients. Building relationships with them and seeing their satisfaction with their new looks fills me with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. The opportunity to bring out their inner beauty and boost their self-esteem is truly rewarding, making being a salon owner an incredibly fulfilling experience for me.
People often ask what does it truly means to be a stylist. Well, for me, being a hair stylist is a rewarding career that involves expertise in styling and caring for natural, textured, coarse, or even curly hair types. It requires understanding different hair textures, products, and techniques to provide clients with the best hair care and styling options tailored to their needs. As a natural hair stylist, one has the opportunity to help clients embrace and enhance the natural beauty of their hair, promoting self-confidence and self-expression.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
My side hustle of doing hair slowly transformed into my dream career as I honed my skills and built a loyal clientele. Though dedication and hard work played a major part, people may think that I was able to save up enough money to quit my job and open my own salon. But I had NOTHING SAVED. I remember like yesterday working at a miserable job at the Child Support Office in Memphis, Tn, and it was maybe my third day in a row calling my husband CRYING, telling him how I DID NOT want to go into work. This time was different, as he answered the phone, he gave me 2 options.. stay at work and be miserable or just leave and come home and TRUST AND BELIEVE that he was going to work it out and get me a salon. I walked into that job and put in my 2 weeks notice, and went home. n Not even 1 week later, I had keys to a new salon. It was a culmination of my passion for hair and my determination to succeed along with my husband believing in me resulting in a fulfilling and successful journey that turned my side hustle into the career of my dreams. Women at my job talked bad about me stating that I would come back because my salon would work. Here it is 3 years later and IM STILL STANDING STRONG. Keep CHASING THOSE DREAMS. THEY DO COME TRUE.
Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, my business thrived after being closed for 3 months as I strongly believe that God played a pivotal role in keeping it going. Through unwavering faith and trust in a higher power, I was able to adapt my strategies, implement safety measures, and find alternative ways to serve my clients. God’s guidance and blessings have been instrumental in ensuring that my business not only survived but continued to flourish during these uncertain times. In those uncertain times, I have experienced the incredible goodness of God in keeping my business afloat. Through His unwavering love and grace, I have seen miraculous provisions, unexpected opportunities, and the strength to persevere. During challenging moments, I found solace and guidance in prayer, and time and time again, God has shown me that He is faithful to those who trust in Him. His blessings and divine intervention have allowed my business to not only survive but thrive in the face of uncertainty, reminding me of His abundant goodness and unwavering support in all aspects of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: msha.ke/salon7
- Instagram: salon_vII_
- Facebook: LaRonda Cannon