Client Spotlight: Lemon Salon
Images from L to R: Maynard, Heather's French bulldog and salon mascot, Heather Chickey and Lemon Salon interior
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again (and again, and again!): we love our clients. Nothing makes us happier than seeing them succeed. We’re proud to play a small part in their success, too, when it comes to finding the right insurance coverage and risk management safeguards.
Today, we wanted to spotlight one of our favorite clients who always makes us look and feel our best: Heather Chickey of Lemonsalon in St. Louis, Missouri, who has been in business for nearly two decades. Read more about this visionary and how she’s adapted to the impact of the pandemic over the past few years.
Q. How long have you been in business?
“Lemon Spalon has been in business in the Central West End for 19 years, and today, we have five stylists available to our clients! I’ve been doing hair for 28 years in total.”
Q. What initially drew you to the business?
“I worked at a salon in The Chase Park Plaza. When they said they were moving out of the Central
West End, I didn’t want to move, so I took a leap and ventured out on my own.”
Q: What would you say to anyone considering getting into this business?
“It’s the greatest job on Earth. If you’re a people person, and if you’re artistic it is a great career. I love that I get to make people feel good about themselves. I love being able to stay on top of current trends and fashion and express myself through clothes and hair for work, too.”
Q: What’s the hardest thing about your job?
“Reading customers’ personalities and making sure we deliver what will make them happiest. It can be challenging to work with different personalities and matching clients to the right stylists, but we aim to ensure our clients are satisfied.”
Q: What’s next for Lemonsalon?
“Like many small businesses would tell you, COVID changed everything. I used to be a commission-based salon. In 2020, our sales were down by 40 percent. I had to make the difficult decision to downsize our full-time staff. Then, I converted to a rental salon. We no longer have anyone to check our customers in and out, but all of my stylists keep their earnings.
Sometimes things happen for a reason, and this change turned out to be a good thing.
For the next ten years, we’re planning on keeping this new, nimble format. Change is scary, but I like change. In fact, I think I thrive on change.”
Q: Did people let their hair go during the pandemic and then return in a wave?
“Yes, in 2020, our customers stayed home. That said, when people started getting vaccinated in March 2021, we doubled our business.”
Q: Who is the ideal Lemonsalon client?
“Everyone! We have hip, interesting 80-somethings and one-year-olds getting their first haircuts. Ballet dancers to business owners to college students; you name it, they come here.”
Q: What are you most proud of as the owner/founder?
“Surviving in this business for 19 years and making it through despite all of the challenges.”
Q: How else have you adapted in the pandemic?
“In addition to moving to an independent contractor/salon rental model, booking is now exclusively online. Additionally, we require proof of vaccination for all customers.”
Q: How have customers responded?
“Our customers love the online booking. We have lost very few customers due to the vaccine requirement but have gained many more because of it.”
Q: What have you enjoyed most about working with Concannon Insurance Agency?
“I appreciate the personal relationship we’ve fostered and their quick response time, and how they’ve handled changes over the years. It’s been seamless, and that’s exactly what I would want from my insurance agency. I’ve been with Concannon Insurance Agency since the day I opened, and the level of service they have offered over 19 years is priceless!”
Thank you for taking the time to read more about our friend Heather and her successful business. Interested in getting your hair styled by these pros? Book your appointment online here: www.lemonspalon.com
