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Local salon business among those carefully planning a reopening due to pandemic

Photo caption: Jalondria Dhrubo, owner of J. Nicole Custom LLC inside My SALON Suite’s Suite 402

My SALON Suite is located in the Oakbrook Square, across from the Genesee Valley Center, in Flint
Jalondria Dhrubo

Written by Tanya Terry

Being closed since March 24, My SALON Suite, a Flint business, has lost a substantial amount of money. Eleven stylists and two lash technicians (all called members) were found out of work.

Kim Rooker, success specialist at My SALON Suite, said with the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) loan for independent contractors who have historically been unable to apply for the unemployment insurance being “up in the air” each of these workers went without income for at least a month.

Nick Leja, owner of My SALON Suite, said there were times of concern about the business being able to survive.

“But, as long as we don’t go into another lockdown, we should be good,” Leja said.

According to Rooker, none of the clients of My SALON Suite took Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s suggestion to “google” how to do a haircut. Rooker referred to the clients of being loyal to the members, which she said was an indication the members had built strong relationships with the members.

“Our members were not affected negatively by that comment (by Whitmer), but they definitely were pretty unhappy with that being stated,” Rooker said.

The business will reopen on June 15 when salons are allowed to do so across the state.

“I’m excited because My SALON Suite gives the ability for our members to take care of their clients one-on-one,” Rooker said. “They can sanitize between each and every client.”

Rooker considers My SALON Suite to be a safe environment despite the recent spread of COVID-19 in the world, country, state and Flint community.

“Throughout the entire pandemic, we listened to the governor’s orders on what we should be doing. Even before the pandemic, all licensed salon professionals had to go through pretty rigorous training and education on medical grade standards of sanitizing. Other than adding masks to the mix and having sanitizer available for clients, not really much had to change for our specific brand. We have cleaning crews come through our common areas regularly, and every single member inside our suites has taken it upon themselves to make sure they have sanitizer and Barbicide solution.”

Barbicide is a disinfectant solution used by barbers and cosmetologists for disinfecting grooming tools.

“A lot of people don’t know it, but Barbicide kills the virus as well as the Lysol and other disinfectants we have,” Roooker said. “So, it’s nice we never lost supply of that.”

Since it may be unclear how far individuals coming to My SALON Suites are from each other without having markers on the ground, markers have been ordered. Also, each suite is closed off with doors separating each of the members from each other.

“We did have that before. Our concept was kind of made for something like this without knowing it, I feel. The only thing that’s changing is the clients are not waiting inside our lobby anymore. They wait in the car until the members are ready for them, and they have sanitized their entire suite.”

The concept of My SALON Suite is different than that of “normal” salons, according to Rooker. Each member owns their own business and has their own door. Rooms are shut off specifically for one member and one client.

“They aren’t having open beverages anymore.”

Masks will be required by all members and all clients at all times.

“Our members are asking our clients to bring their own (masks). If they don’t have one, the members are providing disposable ones to the clients.”

Leja said face shields have been provided for all the members.

“I think it’s more protective versus a mask,” he said. “It’s up to each individual stylist whether they want to wear a mask or a face shield. We are requiring they follow the law, which is at least a mask.”

Most stylists were using gloves already to do color services.

“In addition, now when they’re doing haircuts, they do have the form fitting gloves they’re wearing through SalonCentric,” Rooker said. “I just talked to one of our members and she said she feels the quality of the gloves has gone up. It was surprising to me, but they’re in high demand. So, that was good to hear.”

Rooker said the stylists have been extremely busy. They have extended their hours. Some are coming in early. Some will be staying late. They may be working additional days in order to accommodate all of the people who have not been serviced. However, they are attempting to maintain a balance to ensure they will not have to have another two month vacation in the distant future.

“If they take care of all their clients now, they won’t have work later.”

“Our concerns are if there is another flare up in the fall as schools open back up and we have to go into lockdown again,” Leja said. “That could definitely impact the viability of our business and make it very difficult for us to stay in business. But, for the next several weeks things are looking good.”

My SALON Suite is located at 3192 South Linden Road. For details on suites, call 810-201-4736.

Nick Leja, owner of My SALON Suite in Flint
Kim Rooker, success specialist at My SALON Suite
Shania Verdun, owner and operator of Diamond Dollhouse inside My SALON Suite’s Suite 301

 

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