We were lucky to catch up with Savannah Harmon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Savannah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

The journey started when I felt I had I reached a plateau in my career. I had a thriving clientele back home in Cleveland, Ohio. I was well-established, booked, and financially stable. But something inside me knew I was being called to more. Not just more money or more clients—but more impact, more purpose, and more alignment with the vision God placed in my heart.

I started to feel like my hometown was not the place where that vision could truly grow. I wanted to build something bigger than myself: a salon culture rooted in mentorship, excellence, and career-building resources for beauty professionals—something I hadn’t seen executed in the way I envisioned.

After visiting Las Vegas and spending intentional time praying and fasting with my husband, we both felt an undeniable peace about relocating. It wasn’t just a business decision—it was spiritual. We knew Nevada was where we were being led to plant new roots.

The next few months were a whirlwind of planning and preparation. We started with a vision—literally. My husband and I covered our wall in craft paper and wrote out every dream we had for our family and future. That visual reminder became our blueprint. From there, we began planning our move across the country. I knew I would be starting from the ground up, so I focused on finding a salon that felt like the right environment for me to rebuild my clientele with integrity and intention. I worked diligently for 2 years after the move building my clientele. During that season of rebuilding, our family was also growing—we welcomed our third child right before the pandemic hit. At the same time, I opened a salon suite in Las Vegas, balancing motherhood and business in a way that stretched and strengthened me. One day, while talking with a client-turned-friend about her real estate investments, I mentioned my desire to own a salon. That conversation was a reminder of how important it is to stay in close proximity to people who are living at the level you aspire to reach. As she was researching her next venture, she came across a commercial space and instantly thought of me. She was right—it was the perfect fit. I didn’t have to search long. I secured the location, financing, equipment, and quickly shifted into marketing the salon and casting the vision for what would soon become a reality.

Savannah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Savannah Harmon—a wife, mother, salon owner, educator, and beauty industry entrepreneur. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist since the age of 18. My journey in the beauty industry began with a passion and a natural talent to transform—both in how people look and how they feel. Over the years, that passion evolved into purpose, and I’ve since built a career and business rooted in faith, excellence, integrity, and empowerment.

After working behind the chair for several years and studying the art of hair cutting from some of the industry greats, I built a strong clientele. I felt called to create more than just a salon—I wanted to establish a culture. One where beauty professionals weren’t just working day to day, but growing with intention, receiving mentorship, and having access to real business knowledge and resources to elevate their careers. That vision led me to Las Vegas, where I now own and operate a full-service salon.

At our salon, we offer a wide range of services—for all hair textures and types, nails, skin services, and makeup glam. But beyond the services, we specialize in experience. Our goal is to create a space where clients feel seen, celebrated, and confident the moment they walk in—and where professionals feel supported and inspired behind the scenes.

What sets us apart is our heart. We lead with integrity, faith, and purpose. Every part of our brand—from the way we welcome guests to the way we train our team—is designed with intention. We don’t just style hair; we build confidence, create opportunity, and cultivate excellence.

I’m especially proud of the role my team and I play in the lives of the women we serve. It’s more than a service—it’s a ministry, a movement, and a space for transformation. We have the privilege of witnessing our clients evolve—not just in how they look, but in how they show up in their daily lives. There’s a special energy that fills the salon when women are surrounded by other women who pour into them, share their stories, and motivate each other to become the best versions of themselves. That environment is intentional—and it’s powerful.

I’m also proud of how we’ve been able to combine beauty and business education to uplift the next generation of professionals. Whether it’s through mentorship, hands-on training, or offering real-life exposure to what salon ownership truly looks like, I’m committed to opening doors and providing tools I wish I had access to early in my journey. Helping others grow in confidence—both behind the chair and in their business—is one of the most fulfilling parts of the work I do.

In addition to the salon, I’m a partner in a Christian apparel line founded by my husband called Just Elite Apparel. Our brand is an athleisure collection that allows you to wear your faith boldly, with high-quality, comfortable pieces designed to inspire and reflect your walk with God. We proudly offer the collection in our salon boutique and online, bridging the worlds of beauty, fashion, and faith in a way that aligns with our lifestyle and mission.

To anyone discovering me or my brand for the first time, I want you to know this: I am committed to purpose over popularity. I’m here to serve—not just style. My brand is about faith, family, and forward motion—and we welcome anyone who is ready to grow, be empowered, and look and feel their best.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding my business was a journey of faith, resourcefulness, and some hard-earned lessons. When I decided to open my salon, I didn’t have a large nest egg or outside investors. What I had was a strong vision, a solid plan, and the determination to bring it to life. While working in my salon suite and rebuilding my clientele in Las Vegas, I was intentional about saving and reinvesting every dollar I could.

Once I secured the location, I combined personal savings with business financing to get the doors open.

However, stepping into entrepreneurship without established business credit made me vulnerable. In my eagerness to move forward, I accepted funding from lenders that came with extremely high interest rates. Those early decisions created cash flow challenges and made it difficult for the business to scale in the beginning stages. I was overextended—balancing operating expenses with aggressive repayment schedules—and that slowed down some of the growth I had originally planned for.

If I could offer any advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs, it would be this: avoid predatory lenders at all costs. Take your time to research and apply for available resources through local and state government programs, small business development centers, and private grants. Building strong business credit early and aligning with trustworthy financial institutions can make all the difference.

Looking back, I see how God’s grace still covered me through it all. Even with the setbacks, the vision remained intact, and I was able to pivot, learn, and restructure as the business grew. Funding your dream is possible—but it’s just as important to fund it wisely.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

One of the most effective strategies for growing my clientele has been learning how to show up—both online and in person—with confidence and consistency. Taking public speaking classes helped me become more comfortable with networking and connecting in various settings. It taught me how to represent myself and my brand clearly, authentically, and professionally—whether I’m talking to one person or standing in front of a crowd.

I also made it a point to get involved in the community. Participating in local events as a vendor or sponsor gave me direct access to potential clients and allowed people to put a face and personality to the brand. There’s power in visibility—not just being seen, but being engaged. I’d show up to events, pop-ups, and mixers not just to promote the salon, but to build genuine connections and represent our culture and values.

Another major piece has been creatively using social media to reach and resonate with my target audience. I understand the culture, so I create content that speaks to it—whether it’s through transformation reels, inspirational moments, or showcasing client experiences. Social media has allowed us to stay relevant, relatable, and recognizable.

Lastly, I’ve learned that growing a clientele isn’t just about getting people in the door—it’s about making them feel something when they walk in and remembering that when they leave. That emotional connection, paired with excellence in service and intentional marketing, has been key to our consistent growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.salonkvltvre.com, www.justeliteapparel.com
• Instagram: @salonkulturelv @savannah_shearmaster @Just.eliteapparel
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/salonkvltvre

Image Credits

Tay Price