We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cindy Kimball a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cindy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
After graduating college with a degree in Psychology, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. I entertained the idea of grad school, but the expense seemed overwhelming at that time. I had always had a passion for hair and beauty, which led me to the idea of cosmetology school. After program completion, I took a job in my hometown of Stowe, VT and began my career as a hair stylist. Being young and restless, life presented an opportunity to move across the country to San Diego, CA and I jumped at it! I set out on my drive across the country with no job, large dreams, very little money and zero knowledge of just how expensive San Diego was!
Not surprisingly, I was quickly running out of money and needed a job while waiting to take the CA State Board exam for my cosmetology license. Fortunately, I landed a temporary position with The UPS Store corporate office in their marketing department. Unfortunately, it would become an unexpected career and 20-year hiatus from my hair and beauty dreams.
The thing with big corporate, you have the potential to grow, but you also have the potential to expire, and I had expired. Feeling restless once again (and frankly, overlooked and taken advantage of) I began my search for the next big dream. I had no idea how just how competitive the job market was, especially after the pandemic, and I was growing frustrated, depressed and increasingly taking it out on those around me until one day I had an epiphany: If I wanted a change, I was going to have to make that change. No more waiting for someone else to think I was talented enough for their organization! That shift in mindset altered the trajectory of what I thought I wanted and presented an opportunity for something I had suppressed for 20 years: a salon for sale in my local community.
I replied to the ad that had serendipitously appeared in my Facebook feed, and much to my surprise, not only was it right down the street from my house, but it was a local hotspot, very well established with over 30 years in the community and THE place to go! I couldn’t believe my luck: The sale price was within reach, I felt I had manifested my dreams, and I was on cloud nine! And on top of this feeling of dumb luck, the day we opened escrow, I was laid off from my company: they were PAYING me to leave vs. me having to quit!
Once we closed the escrow and I took ownership, I began to uncover the mess I had just purchased. The previous owner had been completely disengaged with no industry experience, didn’t even make it for half of the year, and completely closed the salon permanently. I had been fooled into thinking the business was open with a fake employee who brought her friends in to make it appear that there were stylists and clients. Everyone who had worked there previously had left for other places and clients had moved on either due to poor experience or because of the closure. The facade of what I thought was my dream was beginning to look like a nightmare. No one knew we were still in business, let alone open, and bookings were nonexistent. I began the renovations that I had mapped out but was hesitant to really invest the money that I had originally budgeted, business was so slow, and on top of that, I was struggling to hire stylists to fill the 5 stations and 2 treatment rooms that I had available. Anxiety was setting in that I had made a huge mistake; money was beginning to run low, and I had a looming feeling that I had made a big mistake. I spent 20 years in franchising with the knowledge of how difficult owning a business could be yet still put on my rose-colored glasses. I was beginning to lose all hope when I had that light go off: I have 3 amazing and talented stylists, I have the space to make the dream come true and I CAN DO HARD THINGS! What more motivation does a person need?
We have been growing month after month and the excitement is exhilarating not only for me but my team as well. We are not where my goal is to be, but that’s the thing about goals, they are motivation to keep you pushing and striving to be better and grow.
My dream and plan are to go beyond what I have already accomplished and make this space what is missing from this beach community: a one stop shop for all your hair, skin and nail needs. To complete the updates to the treatment rooms allowing us to add massage and acupuncture. To add nail stations for mani/pedis. To offer my employees benefits like paid time off, health insurance and retirement. To be a collaborative work environment with a team of like-minded people who feel like family.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My business is a hair salon and spa. At Details Salon & Spa, we offer a wide range of services tailored to meet the needs of our diverse clientele. Our highly trained and experienced professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional haircuts, styling, coloring, extensions, skincare, sunless tanning, lashes and a variety of treatments that will leave you feeling refreshed and confident.
Our luxurious spa services include facials and body treatments designed to rejuvenate your skin and relax your mind, waxing, lash extensions, makeup sunless tanning and we believe in using only the highest quality products like Aveda and IMAGE Skincare, to ensure that every visit leaves you feeling pampered and satisfied.
Our newly renovated, welcoming and serene environment is perfect for unwinding and indulging in some well-deserved self-care. Whether you’re preparing for a social occasion or simply need a moment to relax and recharge, Details Salon & Spa is here to help you look and feel your best.
With over 34 years in the Ocean Beach community, we invite you to experience our commitment to excellence and let us transform your salon and spa experience into something truly extraordinary. We look forward to welcoming you to the Details family!
Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?
Yes, I purchased a hair salon and spa in October or 2024. I was desperate for a change and one day I had an epiphany: If I wanted a change, I was going to have to make that change. I wanted to be around for my kids before they were grown and off on their own, I wanted to be a part of my community and give back as much as I could. When the ad for Details SalonSpa popped up in my Facebook feed, I knew I had to jump at it.
The acquisition process was quite the ride. I purchased from an absentee owner who was having a friend sell for her. There was a strong push to not go through escrow which I considered for a moment because I was fortunate enough to pay in cash, not taking any loans out, but thankful I trusted my gut and went through the appropriate process. As we navigated escrow, it was uncovered that there was a small business loan against the business that the seller had been trying to keep hidden. Not only was there the loan, but it also didn’t even belong to the seller, it belonged to the previous owner, who had been informed that it had been paid through her escrow, which the seller had purchased a year earlier. This pushed escrow out several weeks as the loan needed to be paid before I could take ownership. What could have been a huge mistake on my part by not following the proper purchase process and avoiding escrow only resulted in an extremely long escrow. Bottom line: do your due diligence and follow the proper channels even if purchasing in cash. You never know what you will uncover!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I entered the world of small business ownership knowing from years in franchising, that it would not be easy. As I mentioned earlier, the previous owner had been an absentee owner and closed the salon permanently prior to putting it up for sale and had only reopened to sell it. I had been led to believe that business was slow but thriving. Everyone who had worked there previously had left for other salons and clients had moved on. No one knew we were still in business let alone open, and appointments were almost non-existent. I moved forward with the planned renovations and began placing ads for new stylists both contract and commission while also promoting: “Now Open”, “Newly Renovated!” and “Under new Ownership!” in an attempt to gain back the interest and trust of the community. Not to mention, I was in a race to complete renovations before the holiday rush and was struggling to get any interest to join our team. Thankfully, I hired amazing contractors, who were able to complete the renovation just before Thanksgiving and managed to recruit one new stylist to take on the clients that were trickling in.
Much has changed since those first couple of months: we have grown to a fantastic and dynamic team of four, have continuously grown revenue month over month, new clients are skyrocketing, and client retention is at an all-time high. We have even had the opportunity to introduce new products and services based on client needs! We have been fortunate to support the local community through the local schools with sports sponsorships, auction donations for the music department, and even hosted a month dedicated to give back a percentage of all service sales! We have had the opportunity to participate in local community donations and I have even joined the Main Street Association Promotions Committee! On top of that, one of my stylists has found connections that has led the opportunity for u to host several training classes within the industry.
Every day is a new challenge, and this business is not for the faint of heart, but I love every minute of it and look forward to the future and the growth that is ahead of us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://detailssalonspa.com
- Instagram: @detailssalonspa
- Facebook: details salon & spa
Image Credits
@pictureit.ca girls soccer team photo
@coastalphotography.co headshots