We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deana Mclean. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deana below.
Deana , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
My parents were very driven people who taught us the value of hard work will pay off. My father being and entrepreneur and mother standing behind him, along with her work values of being a great long time employee for a company. I have been shown that working hard shows people along with myself how far I can go. I started working at the age of 13 and was the first in my group of friends to buy a car and start to put money away at a early age. My parents helped me to strategize becoming an entrepreneur myself. Purchasing a tanning salon and bringing in Nails, Manicures, Pedicures & Massage Therapy to start my first business. Also, being the first Day Spa in Elk River. Starting at the early age of 24. I have taken all their wisdom and knowledge to the next levels and have never given up. Were there days I thought I might? Sure, but my parents would tell me we raised you to never give up? We need to keep going and find the next stepping stones to make it better and better. Both my parents have stood beside me through everything in life and more. So so blessed for them in my life.
Deana , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi, I am Deana McLean
I grew up in Elk River since second grade. My family moved here from Winona, Minnesota, back in the day. Growing up in a small town was the best time ever. Everyone knew each other. Even as a child, I dreamed of having my own business one day. My dad was an entrepreneur and built his own company. My parents were strong people who taught us the value of working hard to get where we wanted to be. I started working at the age of 13 years old. After graduating from High School, I went on to Community College; from there, I decided I wanted to attend MPLS Concordia Medical Institute to pursue becoming a Certified Medical Assistant. After graduating as a Certified Medical Assistant, I worked in several clinics. But soon, I still wanted to have my own business in caring for others. I took the next steps in attending Beauty College and starting my own Nail/Pedicure/Tanning Salon/Massage Therapy in the heart of downtown Elk River. I called the Waterfall Salon & Day Spa. First Day Spa in Elk River back in the day.
One year into my business, I experienced a tragic fire and lost everything. Not thinking twice, I got back up with the help of my landlord, who directed me to another property he had to get back up and running. Two of my account salon representatives I worked with stepped in, getting me all the supplies and equipment I needed to get back up and running. Soon after, I brought in a Hair Stylist/Massage Therapist/Esthetician and began to build my dream of becoming a Salon owner in full swing. Within 2 years, my family was offered the building I was leasing, and we purchased it. While doing this, I am still working another job right next to my salon at The Sunshine Depot (a bar and grill), the place everyone went to in our community, and they still do. Working the extra job helped me to keep a steady cash flow. As we all know, when starting a business, you do not always get a paycheck right away when you are building. Working long hours and taking every step, I built The Waterfall Salon & Day Spa a place of pampering and relaxation with a great atmosphere.
After 9 years of running the business, I started a family with my husband, Jon, and we had two beautiful daughters who began to take a lot of my time. I decided to sell the salon and look into other options that would be better for our family at that point. I went to work at another salon and rented space to do nails and pedicures while training as a mortgage loan officer. After my training, I opened my own office, First Class Mortgage & Management. After running that for 5 years, Still renting space to do my nails, pedicures. I ended up receiving the salon back 13 years later. Getting the salon back was truly where I wanted to be. Heading back into my happy place and back in the heart of downtown Elk River again, I was off running with a staff of amazing people.
I named my salon Little Rejuvenation Station at that time. What does that name mean? Little-small town Rejuvenation: Relaxation Station: Elk River is a railroad town that runs directly through our downtown area. Elk River is also on the waters of the Mississippi River, which is right out the back door of my salon. I see this as water, a sign of positive energy and flow. How lucky am I to have this right out my back door? My passion for the Elk River Community is extreme. I volunteered for our youth hockey for over 13 years as their fundraising director. My oldest daughter, Shae, played hockey from 5 years old through her college years. When my second daughter Sage swam, I volunteered for our Girls Swim team board as their fundraising director and vice president. I also loved to engage with other volunteer opportunities. As a family we also took the opportunity to be Foreign Exchange Parents for a whole year hosting a female student from Czech Republic.
As of now, I choose to be a part of our Riverfront Downtown Elk River Business Association and follow through as the Chair/President for the Association. I enjoy every moment of what we do, as my heart is so much about being a team with others, finding ways to make a difference in our community, and bringing our community together. Seeing the fun events we do puts smiles and laughter on faces. That truly is what life and living in a small town is about. The song “Small Town Girl” very much resonates with me and, I would say, with many others. I am that girl that has a hard time saying NO to things. But as I get older, I also see the value in stepping back and delegating when needed. And remember, we are only one person and can not take on everything. A few years down the road, I decided to change my salon name to Salon On Main. It was the right thing to do as I was directly on Main Street. And it has stayed this way. One of the amazing parts of being a business owner is that I have partnered with our Elk River High School DECA teacher and her students over the past several years. I allow the students to come in for three months out of the year and open their store, selling all their incredible Elk River apparel. All the funds they make in these months go directly back to their program to help them with many of their events, projects, travel expenses, etc.
My salon and retail store are thriving. All my stylists rent their studio rooms and come and go with their businesses, creating an easy working environment for everyone. As for myself and the services I do, they are as follows: I have the lower half of my salon with three private rooms where I do Nails, Manicures, Pedicures, Rain Drop Therapy, Reflexology, Reiki/Hand of Healing, meditation classes or one-on-one meditation, Life Coaching and Mediumship/Psychic Readings. I have recently launch a new retail store in front of our salon called Eclectic Boutique, which has new and pre-loved (used ) items. Also, I am part of a fantastic company called Life Vantage, which carries and shares wellness products. At 55, I know I would not change a thing from my path in life already. I continue to inspire my children and those around me to follow their hearts, souls, goals, and dreams. I remind people you are the only one in charge of you and your life. Take chances, travel when you can, and embrace this life you have been given. One of my favorite places is when I can travel and fill my soul with the ocean and sand. I make this happen at least once a year. Our past situations are how we become stronger and make a difference today. I am so blessed to have gone through all the ups and downs in my life so far, and I am looking forward to all the manifesting I am doing for my future self.
My life has not been obstacle-free. My journey I have been on over the years has been challenging, learning life lessons sometimes the hard way. Is this the right path for me? Those days leave working late hours and come home to sit down and be exhausted, but then get back up the next day and do it all over again. Not having the right people in your path to help you with situations you thought you could handle yourself.. I continue to tell myself you can do this. You are the only one to make this happen. Have faith and believe in yourself. Journaling has been positive for me and I am learning to take care of myself better each year that passes. Make downtime so you can re-generate your energy, mind, and soul. Find a mentor or two that are there for you with guidance. Make sure you are Resetting: Relax, Reset & Clear. Repeat this several times to began again if you need too.
Salon On Main is a business filled with many services. All our staff rent their studio rooms. The staff come and go as they wish according to their business schedule. The services that are offered here at Salon On Main are Color, Cuts, Highlighting, Waxing, Professional Wigs, Hair Extensions, Color Specialties, Nails, Manicures, Pedicures, Reflexology, Rain Drop Therapy, Reiki/Hands-on Healing Therapy, Life Coaching, Mediation Classes, Psychic/Mediumship readings, Retail Store filled with New and Pre-Loved (Used) Items. What sets us apart from many others is our unique space and atmosphere—directly on the Mighty Mississippi River and in the quaint downtown of Elk River. And many of the services we offer are unique to the area and surrounding area. My brand for my business comes from my heart and soul, and as a business owner, I like to create what I would want to see and have if I were going into a business. I craft my services of pampering and helping my clients feel they are filling up with relaxation and a safe place to be.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Growing my clientele has not always been easy. But I feel the best source of building your clientele is word of mouth. I have done marketing in newspaper, social media, flyers, direct mail and more. But in the end a client telling another person about their amazing experience is the WIN of all.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
The advice I give to manage, lead and maintain high morale in running a business is to be open, listen, observe and treat your team/staff as family. As most the time you are with them more than your own personal family. Find time to do team event’s if it is possible. Take time to know each person, their personality. Engage in making sure they are doing ok with their business or any other details they have. But also, let them be themselves in their business they are building. One last thing would be to make sure they are also taking downtime for themselves to recharge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://salon-on-main.net
- Instagram: Salononmainelkriver
- Facebook: Salon on Main Elk River
