Private beauty studios open new doors for small business owners
For over a decade, Deshefy has helped make people feel beautiful, calm and spiritually aligned.
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AnnMarie Deshefy opens up her shop the same way every day, through the ringing of chimes, which she says clears the energy at her business, before she puts on her many hats.
"I’m a certified crystal healer, but the No. 1 is wax specialist," Deshefy said.
For over a decade, Deshefy has helped make people feel beautiful, calm and spiritually aligned.
And you can find her business, "Om Crystal Healing" and many others, at 465 Green St., right off Route 1 in Woodbridge, at Phenix Salon Suites.
"I worked at a franchise company for a long time and then, when I didn’t want to do that anymore, I wanted to work for myself and that’s why I found the suites," Deshefy said.
The salon suite model goes back over two decades in other states, but here in the Garden State, the concept goes back about five years. It took a little convincing for entrepreneurs to get it to the finish line, according to Phenix Salon Suites franchisee David Eisenman.
"The minimum size for suites before that - or not even suites for a salon - was 350 square feet. We were able to lobby the board of cosmetology. They agreed to drop it to 100 square feet, so that’s how salon suites started in New Jersey," Eisenman said.
And rents can start as low as $350 weekly. Business owners have the option of one suite or multiple and free range on the design. And the model seems to be working for small business owners who make up the almost $650 billion global beauty industry, some even leaving behind traditional salons for these smaller, more cost-efficient and flexible options like Jen D’Antuono, owner of Hair Design 27.
"I had a six-chair, 1,000 square foot salon. It became hard over time. I enjoy it immensely. It’s cheaper on my expenses because all my utilities are included. The rent I pay weekly is roughly what I was paying for just the rent at the brick-and-mortar," D’Antuono said.
"I could have my own business. I thought that was wonderful. I didn’t have to go on anyone else’s schedule. I could create my own schedule. I can take time off when I need to," Deshefy said.
