Entrepreneurs Prepare to Open New Concept Salon
BOARDMAN, Ohio -- Hair stylists looking to set up shop and become their own boss now have a new option for doing so thanks to Aria Salon Studios, the first business of its kind in the area.
Licensed beauty professionals can lease one of Aria's 18 studios at 362 Boardman-Canfield Road, decorate it the way they want, name it what they want and operate the studio as they see fit.
"All you have to do is bring your clientele and your tools," says co-founder Luciano Parillo.
Parillo, who owns his own private salon in Canfield, has been in the industry more than 30 years. He says he began discussing the concept of Aria with his business partner, Tony Ciccone, about two years ago.
Ciccone, who has operated several businesses and spent 25 years in commercial construction and real estate development, oversaw the design of Aria Salon Studios. "We just decided to do it, and do it right and give a beautiful interior to all the stylists,” he says.
Studios similar to Aria are popping up in cities across the country including in Columbus and Cleveland. Parillo says the concept is so popular that he expects it to grow exponentially in the next three years. "Within that period of time it's going to take over about 50% of all salons throughout the United States,” he predicts.
Hair stylist Linda Corcoran has been in the business for more than thirty years and is Aria's first tenant. Much of her business involves hair weaving and hair replacement so, for her, having the privacy of her own studio -- as opposed to a wide open, big salon -- makes sense.
"It's a private studio and it's a personal service you give,” Corcoran says. “If you're paying for a personal service, it should be provided in a personal setting."
Aria studios come equipped with shelving for retail cabinets, a salon chair and bowl, lockable cash drawer, a studio chair and a large mirror. Stylists can also take advantage of an on-site laundry facility, break room and 24/7 access to the building with a coded keypad on the door. Free Wifi is available with optional cable and satellite radio. Of the 18 studios, 15 are designed to accommodate a single hair stylist. A double studio also is available as well as studios for a nail technician and massage therapist.
Stylists can lease a studio for $245 a week with utilities included but must commit to a full year. All studios come with a uniform color and setup but stylists have the option to decorate the studio themselves or even have it painted. "We want them to feel that it's their own salon, their own business,” says Parillo
Aria Salon Studios will cap off six months of construction and an investment of about $500,000 with a ribbon-cutting July 17 at 10:30 a.m. Interested parities can make an appointment for a tour at AriaSalonStudios.com or stop in from 9 to 5 weekdays.
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our twice-monthly print edition and to our free daily email headlines.