Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paul Lysy, Sarah Ricca (i use Ricca as my first name). We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Paul Lysy, Sarah Ricca (i use Ricca as my first name), thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
The biggest risk we took was when we decided to open our own salon and work for ourselves. We met working together at a salon in the Central West End. Ricca had just moved back to the area and was just starting her career in the salon business. Paul had just graduated from Cosmetology School and was eager to find an apprenticeship to strengthen his skills. Paul left the salon that we met at and acquired an apprenticeship under Jason Evens up the street. After training under Jason for a year Paul went to Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica California for a six week intensive training course and then returned to St. Louis to work at the first salon that we met at. Ricca dove her heels in at the salon and began to build her clientele. She also encouraged her new boss to get a product line that she had worked with prior to working there. The product line offered a position for the stylist to be a liaison between them and the salon they worked in. Ricca began going to New York City to take hands on classes. She would then return and provide monthly education to the staff. It was a very exciting opportunity to strengthen her leadership skills. During that time period Paul had been imagining the possibility of opening a new salon with Ricca. A salon that we all way’s wanted work at, but didn’t exist. After searching the area for possible locations. We eventually landed in Maplewood. It was huge risk for us leaving the CWE to be in Maplewood hoping that our clients would follow us, also because we are a married couple with no one to fall back on. The risk really paid off. We have now been in business for thirteen years with one expansion two years in. We purchased the building that houses our business in 2022 with one tenant which was another huge risk for us.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Paul and Ricca have 20 years experience in the salon industry. We provide a uniquely relaxing ambiance while our customers are receiving the highest quality hair services. We have a beautifully designed salon with loads of natural light. We offer a friendly and welcoming atmosphere to all of our customers from us and our staff. Our clients experience in our salon means everything to us. Each one of us does our very best to deliver. We sharpen our skills every year with one-on-one training from some of the best educators in our industry. We use only the highest quality of products on our clients. We are proud to have been in business as long as we have been, and continue to provide an oasis for our clients to relax and allow us to take care of them.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
We provide a positive and encouraging work atmosphere that empowers our staff to grow their individual businesses to whatever degree they desire. We give them a lot of personal freedom with their schedules as well as their individual creativity, while maintaining a consistent high standard across the salon. We work next to people that inspire us to always try to do better work. We provide all the tools for our staff to be successful.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Doing consistent, beautiful work, as well as being kind to people. That makes them want to refer other people to us.
Contact Info:
- Website: novasalonstl.com
- Instagram: Nova Salon
- Facebook: novasalon
Image Credits
@kenziesremedies