We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christina West a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Christina, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
My goal was for the business name to be a mind set! Spruced Up is a feeling suited for all ages for male and females. This expression was used by my grandmother
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 name is Christina Faye West, I am the owner of Spruced Up & Co. in the heart of “The Lowcountry’s Hometown” Moncks Corner SC. I was born into the industry and have been behind the chair for more than a decade. I am a third generation hairstylist. My drive to succeed as an young adult,came very early when my uncle William Cammer also a hairstylist, wholeheartedly believed in me- he paid 1/2 the tuition for my cosmetology school. He encouraged me to just be successful and do something with it. Some of my most fond salon memories from my childhood would be stopping in the salon to say hello and give hugs! I really enjoyed the laughter, conversations and the people always looked great or were on the way to it. lol From a very early age I was taught the importance of keeping the client top priority and respect their time. During the years as an Elite Salon Manager, Ulta Beauty I learned mastered all the key fundamentals of a salon business that exceeds expectations and honed my technical skills. I am proud and always excited to share any education and product knowledge with my clients. I love making learning fun, I hold an advanced color certification with Redken and I love to do all coloring services, brighten blonde,enhance red, refresh brown and depth to black! I really enjoy traveling on site to do glam transformations: formal hairstyling inspired by boho, soft waves,whiscial looks and with an airbrush makeup application for a flawless finish.
When you book your first visit to “Get Spruced Up” and I will reserve your spot to “Stay Spruced Up”. Spruced Up & Co. is just starting as I expanded the location December 2022. Coming soon there will be added elements such as: Reiki healing,massage therapy,esthetics, teeth whitening, spray tans,and a Halo-Therapy ( Himalayan Salt Room).
Have you ever had to pivot?
My major career pivot came in 2020,leaving the corporate salon world of 12 years to be the business owner of my own 1 chair salon studio- Spruced Up by Christina. After a quick 2 years, I have now have Spruced Up & Co. which is a commercial ranch style property that accommodates multiple salon professionals and offers expanded services with treatment rooms.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Communication is key 90%, Technical ability is important 10% -but making sure you and the client are on the same page is vital. Tom Peters,said “Underpromise and overdeliver” and I live by that. My clients can sense that I am genuine and I gear my energy to be positive and uplifting. I truly care about people.New client-word of mouth referrals-are the heartbeat of the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/sprucedupbychristinafaye/book-now
- Instagram: @hair.mobb2023
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staysprucedup/about
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/spruced-up-and-co-moncks-corner-sc-2065067 email:[email protected] text or call: 843.499.0865