We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Walsh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I started my career in the beauty industry 10 years ago. Through those years I booth rented from a few different salons. I recognized there was a need to do things differently. This pushed me into finding my own building to create the space for other creatives to come and do what they love. in fall of 2022 the building of my dreams fell into place and shortly after I filled my suites with 7 inspiring women. We opened our doors February 2023 and it has been so empowering watching the women around me grow their businesses over the last 6 months. My ultimate goal is to facilitate multiple locations and be a witness to many others growth and development!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Owning a salon has always been my dream. If there is anything I’ve learned through this process is that nothing worth having comes easy and timing is everything. I started my nail career in 2013 and from then on the wheels have turned on how to make it into something bigger. Through the last 10 years I have overcome many adversities and challenges that have made me a stronger person and a more compassionate business owner. Along the way I have found my ability to empower others to be the most confident version of themselves. I knew this is an area where I wanted to impact change to support others in my industry. I have always wanted to own a salon that is structured around providing a safe space for those who share those same passion. I thrive most on is educating other nail technicians and promoting others personal and professional growth. It has always been community over competition for me. Fast forward to spring of 2022, I had hit my final breaking point. I went on a hunt to find the perfect building to bring this vison into fruition. Fall of 2022 my dear friend and realtor found me the building of my dreams. We signed, and the work of our remodel began. During that time, I was on a mission to build the group of girls who shared my vision. I can’t explain just how amazing it was to witness how organically the right women fell into place. We opened our doors spring of 2023 and wow, just wow to all of it. Everything I experienced was for a reason, I see that now clear as day. Allowing others to touch your dream is an intimidating thing but watching the women around me excel and expand their businesses has been unlike anything I have ever seen. As I mentioned previously, passion is contagious and the sky is the limit when you surround yourself with the right people.

I often get asked how I came up with the salon name. My husband and I struggled with infertility for a few years. Not long before deciding to open the salon we had decided to close that chapter. We planned on using my husband’s grandmothers name (Vada) if we were to have had a baby girl. For years I thought about what I would name a salon and nothing ever stood out to me. So as things started to progress with the salon, one of by biggest stresses was what I was going to name it. One day we were driving in the car and it hit me, Vada Suites. I couldn’t shake how right it felt.

We have been open for six months now and already so much growth has taken place. I have witnessed the growth of every person who took a chance on me to take that leap of faith, most of which have now closed their books to new clients for the time being. Never did I think that this soon in that we would be in search of more locations to open up. My goal is to open more locations to provide a positive impact and opportunities for growth in the industry.

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

Through the last 10 years I have found that people only take your business as serious as you do. A salon experience is more than just hair or nails etc.. it is about relationship building and creating a safe, comfortable place for clients to come and relax/let their guard down. For a lot of busy women this is some of the only time they carve out for themselves. Being good at your job and constantly growing is important but I think what grows and retains clients is consistency, growing trust and approaching all endeavors with integrity. My clients place trust in me and the products I use on them. Most have experienced the difference and that is what keeps them coming back to me. These values that I have found crucial in building clientele are the foundation of how I have found success in expanding my business to building a salon and the reputation I expect to build to keep growing.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My pivotal moment was after I went through a toxic divorce. I had to gain a new confidence to rebuild a whole new life for me and my daughter. We moved to a different town and I had to build my business from square one all over again. I knew that I had no choice but to go all in and make this new start to my business into something that would last for me and my family.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: creative.nailsbyamanda & vada.suites

Image Credits
Kianna Allen