Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Aninsman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Since my childhood, I have always dreamed of owning my own hair salon. Throughout my career between 2009-2016 I worked at many amazing salons, assisting and learning from top notch stylists in NY and Philadelphia, attending dozens of classes and simply learning from the best. I moved to Brooklyn to pursue my hair dreams but quickly learned the hustle and bustle of NYC was not for me. It took me a really long time to find my confidence in the hair industry and it wasn’t until 2016 where I truly found my niche and confidence. I worked at an amazing hair studio in the art museum area of Philadelphia filled with extremely talented ladies, where I had a very strong bond with all of them, we were like a family. That is where I truly found myself as a person, and a stylist. Being there allowed me to truly find myself, in my own personal and professional journey. I lived alone with my cats in a really cool studio apartment in my mid 20’s, traveled alone multiple times and worked at a salon I loved. Going to work everyday with these ladies really helped me grow. I built a strong clientele, became an educator for Evo Hair Products and became extremely busy very quickly. After almost 4 years there, felt a sense to spread my wings and try something new, so I could grow even more, despite how difficult it was to me to leave my friends and the salon that helped me, become me. I followed my gut and moved to another beautiful salon in the city. Even though I was super happy there and my boss was so supportive, positive and wonderful, I still knew eventually I wanted to work for myself. It was always in the back of my mind but I was terrified. I always knew that working for myself, by myself, and in my own space was my ultimate goal…. and then the pandemic arrived. The fear and uncertainty that the hair industry suffered through during the pandemic period was overwhelming, and the five-month shutdown of salons in Philadelphia left me feeling unfulfilled and truly depressed. I missed doing hair so much and I felt so lost not doing what I love. I started making aromatherapy candles as a creative outlet a year before the lockdown and since I wasn’t able to do hair during the lockdown, I made and sold hundreds of candles to fill the void, which still is my favorite hobby, so that was definitely a positive!

Despite the reopening of salons, many clients were understandably hesitant to return because I was in a salon working with others, making it difficult to maintain a steady flow of clientele while also making sure my clients felt safe from the virus. The lingering threat of the virus also meant that last-minute cancellations from clients were frequent, making my financial situation extremely difficult. The requests from clients to have the salon to themselves to reduce the spread of the virus was another challenge, making it hard to work the hours I needed to double book to make ends meet. Though I had a passion for the industry and I was happy at the salon I was working at, I found it challenging to keep up with my personal bills and apartment rent due to the lack of business, while also giving the salon I was working at a significant commission of every client that sat in my chair. After months of consideration, I realized it was time to make a change – either leave the industry altogether and find a job with guaranteed income or pursue my dream of owning my own one chair salon.

Thankfully, when I was feeling extremely doubtful in my career choice, an opportunity presented itself in early 2021, giving me the chance to rent my salon suite close to my hometown and becoming my own boss. I was ready to leave the city life, and move to a more relaxing suburban vibe to be closer to my family, friends and boyfriend at the time, now fiancé. I believed this opportunity was a sign from the universe and it was finally time to face my fears and to turn my dream into a reality. I wanted to create a haven for my clients, a place where they could escape the chaos of the world, feel beautiful, safe, and relaxed while enjoying the salon space all to themselves with a nice hot cup of coffee,, or cold glass of wine. I wanted to offer a unique experience where clients can make their experience their own, however they choose. One-chair salons were very rare in my area at the time, and I knew that I would stand out, providing clients with a personalized and tranquil environment.

With the help of my family, fiancé, and close friends, I was able to open Hair Haven Studio in just 7 short weeks after making this huge decision. My fiancé was a huge support and confidence booster and also helped me create my website. My mother, aunt and and grandmother, went shopping with me and helped me in design and decorate my entire space and were also my biggest cheerleaders. My father offered extremely valuable business advice based on his own experience and guided me throughout the entire process and answered my many many phone calls and a million questions. The rest of my amazing family and wonderful friends cheered me on and supported me throughout the process. Their support helped me remain calm and happy. My clients reactions after I expressed the news was nothing but positive, excited and supportive. They all followed me to my space no matter where they lived, they booked appointments as soon as I made the announcement and even old friends from my hometown decided to follow me since the city was difficult to get to for them.

I chose the name Hair Haven Studio because it represents what I envisioned for my salon – a safe haven, sanctuary, a relaxing space, where I could bring my clients’ hair dreams to life. The space is filled with plants, crystals, and positive affirmations to create a peaceful atmosphere. I have added many relaxing services such as scalp massages and hair treatments to provide clients with a luxurious experience. I have built a steady flow of clients over the past two years, and I am so happy with the results. I recently added a “silent appointment” option for all of my clients, because mental health is so extremely important to me. I know there are days when people just do not feel like having conversations and would prefer to enjoy a show, a podcast, a book. Now my clients can make that choice and truly embrace the hair experience they have always wanted. Opening my salon has truly allowed me to form such close bonds with my clients and I really am so truly happy. Every day I walk into my hair home happy and grateful I made this decision and followed my gut, my heart and my dreams. When you love what you do, its not so hard.

Lauren, 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?

Hairstyling runs deep in my genes, as my aunt is a very skilled hairstylist for the last 30+ years and grandmother was also a successful and talented stylist when my mother and aunt were children & teenagers. My grandmother graduated from cosmetology school in the 70s, my aunt in the 80s, and I followed in their footsteps by graduating from the same building in Northeast Philadelphia in the early 2010s. Watching my Aunt Lynda work her magic in her own salons in Brooklyn as a kid + teenager inspired me to pursue hairstyling as a career. She has always been a role model to me and continues to be one of my favorite people to this day. Before I became a stylist she used to take me to hair shows where I was enamored by the world of hair and it made my decision to pursue this career very easy. On my dad’s side, my grandparents owned beauty supply stores in the 70s and 80s. Although I wasn’t around to witness it, I believe that the beauty business is in my genes and has been passed down through generations.

Throughout my life, my parents have been my number one supporters and cheerleaders. When I was 19, and super unhappy in college, I told them I wanted to become a stylist, they were extremely supportive, and their encouragement has continued to drive my success to this day. Their love and support has been huge in my journey, and I am grateful for their unconditional love and support.

As a hairstylist, I have had the opportunity to specialize in many different areas, but I prefer to focus on the services that bring me the most joy because I feel that provides the best results. I love working with dimensional color, haircuts, and treatments. For me, color is the perfect blend of science and art, and there is never a dull moment when clients sit in my chair requesting beautiful color. I take pride in completing their look with a haircut that complements their personality and lifestyle. Each cut and color is tailored to my client’s specific needs and preferences, and I enjoy collaborating with them to achieve their desired look. Educating my clients on proper hair care is also a passion of mine. It allows my clients to understand their hair, love their hair and inspires them to take care of their hair at home. I find great satisfaction in seeing them return to my chair satisfied with their hair, feeling beautiful and confident,

Beyond my love for hairstyling, I genuinely enjoy bonding with my clients and forming close relationships with them. Over the years, I have had the honor of watching my clients get married, start families, and achieve their career goals. It is a privilege to be a part of their life journey. When my clients visit me, I want them to feel as though they are hanging out with a friend, and this is what I am most proud of as a stylist. I consider myself lucky to have such amazing clients, and I am grateful for the relationships I have built with them over the years.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media has been a total game-changer for me as a hairstylist! Instagram has been especially amazing. It’s like a free online portfolio that lets me reach exactly the kind of clients I want to work with, my dream clientele. I’m super careful about what I post, though – I want to make sure everything I share is helpful and informative for my clients. A ton of my clients have found me on social media. It’s been my most effective way of getting the word out about my salon. Plus, I just love playing around with taking photos & videos of my work and making reels – it’s a great creative outlet for me. And the Facebook groups – those have been huge, too. I’ve been able to post about all the cool events and services I offer, and it’s brought in tons of new clients from local towns in the area.. It’s especially important for me since I’m a solo salon owner – marketing is tough, but social media has made it so much easier. My advice, be yourself! It will attract the very best people in your life that will make your business a super happy place to be! Also, quality, not quantity. You don’t need thousands of followers to make a difference, you just need the right ones who truly love your content and message, I used to yearn to go “viral” but honestly.. thats not a goal anymore. Reaching out to people who truly love you and your work, who will actually go to your business is what is most important. It’s not about the number.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Integrity and authenticity are values that I hold high as a hairstylist. I strongly believe in being truthful with my clients, and I always ensure that I provide honest recommendations. With all of the information available on social media and platforms like Pinterest, it’s easy for people to develop unrealistic expectations about their hair color. I make it a point to educate my clients and provide them with realistic options that will help them achieve their desired results in time without damaging their hair.

Although financial stability is important in any business, I firmly believe that it comes naturally when you stay true to your values. Building trust with my clients is more important to me than making a quick profit. By remaining true to myself and my principles, I have been able to build a loyal client base who value my honesty and professionalism. As a beauty professional, I prioritize honesty with my clients as it is one of the most important aspects of building trust. I empathize with my clients and put myself in their shoes, ensuring that I provide the level of service that I would expect from another beauty professional.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hairhavenstudio.com
• Instagram: @hair.haven.studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HairHavenStudiolanghorne

Image Credits
Briana Farina IG @Brianalouisephotography www.brianalouisephoto.com