We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Evalyn Lopez-Benoit a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Evalyn , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
To be successful, especially as a salon owner and hairstylist for over 15 years, I believe it takes a deep understanding of your industry’s details. I wouldn’t suggest venturing into a service business unless you can perform the service yourself or have existing knowledge. Having this expertise ensures you can consistently meet and exceed client expectations even when your team is out sick or unavailable.
One of my core beliefs is the importance of an unwavering passion for continuous growth and education. The beauty industry is always changing, with new trends, techniques, and products emerging regularly. By dedicating myself to ongoing learning and skill refinement, I’m able to offer my clients the latest innovations in haircare and beauty.
Consistency of work is equally critical. Delivering high-quality, reliable results consistently builds trust and loyalty among your clients. It’s this reliability that encourages them to return and recommend your services to others.
An experience early in my career really shaped my perspective on these principles. I had a client seek my help who came to me with already severely damaged hair. Rather than turning her away or providing a quick fix, I leveraged my years of experience and consulted with peers to devise the best treatment and solution. I attended a specialized extension workshop to learn about new extension techniques and products that could help during her hair’s recovery. Over several months, her hair transformed, and she became one of my most loyal clients, referring many others. This not only helped grow my business but also reaffirmed my commitment to continuous learning and consistency.
That experience was a turning point for me. It taught me that true success comes from a blend of expertise, a desire to evolve, and consistently delivering excellence. These principles have guided me throughout my career and continue to fuel my passion for what I do.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I began my hair industry journey very early on while I was still in high school. I always felt that a traditional university path wasn’t right for me. The idea of diving directly into a hands-on career intrigued me. After years of working in various salons, I realized I had valuable perspectives to offer, fueling my ambition to establish my own business.
My vision was to create a salon where stylists are genuinely supported in their entrepreneurial aspirations. Each stylist brings unique passions—whether mastering advanced cutting techniques or excelling in extensions—and we’re dedicated to helping them achieve their goals.
Our mission for clients is clear: to offer diverse services that make everyone look and feel their best. We carefully select stylists who are highly skilled and passionate, committed to continuous education and skill refinement. Their engaging social media presence allows clients to understand a stylist’s personality and expertise before their visit and helping them choose who they would like to perform their service.
My greatest accomplishment is building a salon that serves as an inspiring workplace for my team and a welcoming haven for our clients. Seeing both our stylists’ growth and clients’ satisfaction validates all our efforts, and I’m thrilled to see where our growth takes us throughout the years to come!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Our best source of new clients is through active social media promotion. We showcase our stylists’ work and share valuable content such as beauty tips, tricks, and product knowledge. This approach is crucial because it allows us to engage directly with our audience, building a genuine connection and trust. By regularly posting high-quality visuals and helpful advice, we highlight our expertise and commitment to beauty, making potential clients feel confident in choosing our services. Social media also offers a platform for clients to give feedback and share their experiences, which enhances our credibility and reach.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
The excellence of our stylists and team has been pivotal in establishing our esteemed reputation. Through a meticulous hiring process, we ensure that each new team member embodies talent, dedication, and top-tier expertise. Our clients benefit from a selection of outstanding, caring professionals for all of their haircare needs. It’s our team’s unwavering consistency and commitment that form the cornerstones of our esteemed brand and the loyalty of our valued clientele.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonitamanhattanbeach.com
- Instagram: @bonita.manhattanbeach
- Other: IG – @bonita.marinadelrey
Image Credits
Benjamin Benoit