We were lucky to catch up with Karish Lane recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Karish , thanks for 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 always knew I wanted to own my own real estate for my salon.

In 2009 when I was 22, I bought my first house. Prices were low during the housing market crash, and I was eligible for the $8000 first time home buyers tax credit.

I spent the first two years there, tearing things apart and fixing things up. With the last $2000 I put a home salon studio in a spare room. This allowed me to make extra cash outside my 40 hour a week job at a corporate salon.

I rented out the extra rooms and saved a lot of my money. In 2020 I listed my house for sale when the market was high.

I pocketed $120,000 off the sale of that house that I spent a decade maintaining. I was then on the hunt for my perfect commercial real estate purchase.

When I saw a new listing for a building in Creston, I called immediately. The lower level retail condo unit, that was currently a bike shop was for sale. I jumped on the opportunity.

I hired a general contractor that helped me organize and execute the buildout for my first salon. Elysian. It took all of the money from the sale of my home, and it was worth every penny.

Later, I met and befriended the owner of the residential condo unit upstairs. We clicked immediately. That blossomed into a partnership quickly. Together we then decided to invest in another salon location together, branding it after his moms salon, and his namesake The Bradley Salons.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the beauty industry at 16. I attended my high schools local career center.

At that time, you could go part time your junior and senior year of high school. I graduated in 2005, took my exams, and received my cosmetology license soon after.

The salons I own are made to be a safe and inclusive environment for independent stylists. I believe that commission salons are great for new stylists. But once you are established, being in control of your own business is something I feel passionate about.

The stylists I work next to are strong, independent and extremely talented. We take care of our clients and treat them like they provide our living, because they do.

Currently at The Bradley Salons and at Elysian, we offer hair services and facial waxing services. Our stylists specialize in custom hair cutting techniques and are amazing colorists.

We are currently leasing at The Bradley Salon. With 8 styling chairs and a lower spa level waiting for the perfect fit for lash artists or any other service providers that could use a small private space.

I’m beyond proud of the talent that are behind our four walls at both locations, and can’t wait to meet more independent contractors that want to take control of their financial future and schedules. Providing only the best for our guests.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As a business owner, resilience is key. It’s easy to write a few paragraphs and make it seem like everything fell into place nicely. But the reality is, for every win people see, there are at least ten failures.

I remember putting an offer in on a building on the east side of town. At that time, I thought it was perfect.

But due to a couple of set backs, the sale fell through. I was devastated. I couldn’t understand why I kept losing.

When I found the location for Elysian Salon, I knew I would have to share the building with someone else, a lot of people advised against it. But I took my chances.

The upstairs owner was a guy my age, and I figured we could get along enough to make it work. Well, it worked out amazing. I found my life partner, my best friend and the co-owner and investor of my second business.

If the sale wouldn’t have fallen through of that first building, I wouldn’t have met him, and we wouldn’t have Elysian, or The Bradley Salons.

You have to accept the losses and know that the universe has another plan for you. Always be patient and keep going.

Beyoncé once said in an interview, that I think of often…

“Sometimes you lose. And you’re never too good to lose. You’re never too big to lose. You’re never too smart to lose. It happens. And it happens when it needs to happen. And you have to embrace those things.”

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

My side hustle for ten years was a salon in my home. There are mixed reviews on these, but at that time, my corporate salon job, would not allow me to work over 40 hours a week.

My clientele had grown far past that. Moonlighting on the side and having my own space have me a taste of having my own little business.

This inspired me to someday own my own salon. It was a lot of work and a lot of hours. I averaged 60 to 70 hours a week between the two. Would I advise that now? No. But for me it’s what it took to get me where I am now.

It also taught me to have a work life balance. Working hard is admirable and all. But if you don’t take time to build a life as well, you won’t be happy. I always want our stylists to have healthy boundaries, make good money, and have a personal life outside of an amazing career as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: Elysiansalongr.com Bradleysalons.com
• Instagram: @hairandmakeupbykarish @bradleysalons @elysiansalongr

Image Credits
Andrea Lane Photography