Interviews With Indies: Why Our Members Love Our Community
If you’re hoping to make 2020 the year you become a business owner, you may be curious about how to choose the perfect salon studio. Making the transition from a commission-based position or booth rental doesn’t have to be as scary as it may seem: when you become part of the Indie Salons family, you’ll have a supportive network of beauty professionals to lean on and learn from. We care about each of our Indies, and that’s why our team strives to provide a unique Boulder salon lease experience that you won’t find anywhere else. In addition to our luxe studios, we offer a host of Boulder salon lease perks that make our community one-of-a-kind. Interested in learning more about what makes our Boulder salon lease setup so special? We asked our Indies, and here’s what they have to say about why they love being part of the Indie community:
Q: Why did you make the move to Indie, and where were you before you made the leap to being a business owner?
Courtney Wolfe (Indie Boulder Location): I originally wanted to move to Indie but my location of choice was not going to be finished in time, so I started my suite rental at another salon studio rental location. I was happy there in terms of space, rent price, etc. However, the location was not ideal for the luxury services I offer. As soon as I heard Indie Salons was open, I was so happy for them! After a few months, I went over to see how everything was coming along. I had ZERO intentions of moving because I had moved into my other space just shy of 6 months earlier. As soon as I walked through the door and met with the owner, Lisa, I immediately was convinced that I needed to make the switch to Indie. The vibe when you walk in and the gorgeous space is an unbeatable combination and I realized there is no reason I shouldn’t make the move. Once I found out that there’s a market manager to help me grow my business (and I happened to work with Kandice previously, so I know she does great work) I was SOLD. No other company I have worked with wants to help me grow like the Indie team does.
Leilani Marie (Indie Denver Location): I came from a commission-based salon. I chose to switch to Indie because I wanted more flexibility with my schedule (and I wanted to make more money). I also wanted to spend more time with family and be able to travel more. I was really over the typical salon politics because I had started to feel like it was just a job instead of my passion. I was really ready to work for myself. I chose Indie because of the convenient location, the effortless parking, and the clean and modern look. Above all, the friendly people here really solidified my choice.
Q: What are your top positive experiences in becoming a member of the Indie community?
Courtney Wolfe: All the gals in the building are so supportive of each other and it’s all smiles every day! I love that we all are so positive toward each other and there is NEVER any negativity. Everyone I have met is so busy and motivated to continue to grow. I also love the feedback I get from clients on how nice the building is and how friendly everyone is! I also love that I can refer my guests to other Indies for different services. It really is a positive experience for everyone.
Leilani Marie: The very first thing I’ve noticed since I’ve switched to being at Indie is the freedom I have over my schedule. It’s priceless! Another great thing that I have experienced by switching to Indie Salons Studios is the ongoing support from the Indie team. The community has been instrumental in getting me set up and comfortable during my transition from my previous salon to my very own studio.
Q: What are your favorite benefits being part of the Indie Family?
Courtney Wolfe: There’s staff around to help with whatever you need. There are consistent opportunities for education and growth in all areas of your business. I l also love the light that the building has during the day and how quickly everyone around you is willing to help if something goes wrong. There’s also a community feel here, which wasn’t the case at my old location. The vibe is just amazing here and I love where I work.
Leilani Marie: My favorite things about Indie are the privacy and space for myself and my clients. The flexibility in my schedule and the option to design my own space is also great! Plus, I love that I have 24-hour access to my space and the help that’s available from the entire Indie crew. It’s been an amazing transition for my clients and myself.
Q: What was your biggest surprise in making the transition to Indie-preneurship?
Casey Hill: How eager my clients were in supporting me with their enthusiasm, buying products, and pre-booking. Another surprise was how cohesive the transfer was, thanks to all the support from the Indie team and the other Indie studio occupants. Lastly, how comfortable it is to share a space with YOUR client. It gives me time to get to know them, talk about products, and have non-distracting consultations. The list of benefits goes on and on.
Q: What’s the biggest advantage of moving from a booth rental to having your own Boulder salon lease at Indie?
Casey Hill: Product sales, definitely! It’s also great to have free parking and a brand new building to work in. These things are such an advantage for me and my guests, it was a no brainer to choose Indie. Especially when my guests say, “Wow, that was easy” and “This space is amazing” or “Holy cow, I love this concept!”
Q: Why did you choose Indie Salons, and what do you love most about being an Indie?
Megan Viton: I chose Indie because I was ready to branch off on my own and I really liked the support the Indie team offers to help get you started as a small business owner. What I love most about Indie is the professional, supportive team. I’ve never worked at an establishment that has your best interest at heart and that’s exactly what you get from the Indie team.
Debbie Stidham: I chose Indie because of the great location–the remodel is fabulous, nice and open. What I love most about Indie is the staff. I can’t talk enough about Kandice and Mateo; they are truly wonderful people who are always there if you ever need anything. The same goes for the owners; I can’t say enough about them! Indie is fabulous; I love it here!
Additional Perks of Being an Indie
Our Indies love being part of our community all year round, but the unusual times we’re in have given us an opportunity to truly show our team how much we care. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the state of Colorado has issued a stay-at-home order and closure of non-essential businesses through April 30, 2020 (as of this writing). There’s no question that these unprecedented actions have caused hardships for millions of Americans, but our team is doing everything we can to help our Indies stay safe and as stress-free as possible.
As soon as appointments began to slow, we chose to reduce salon lease payments for each of our Indies to help them through this difficult time. Once the state closed non-essential businesses, we opted to give our Indies free rent for the entire closure period, which is expected to be at least seven weeks or more. According to Alison Kelly (Indie Boulder Location), “These studios are amazing, but pale in comparison to the people that own and run it! I am truly grateful to be an Indie during these crazy times!” Brittany Sanchez (Indie Denver Location) says: “My favorite part of the Indie community is the amount of positivity and empowerment that surrounds you! It helped me fall back in love with my passion. I want to say ‘thank you’ for all the support the Indie team has given us all during these difficult times. You guys are amazing!”
Our goal at Indie Salons is to provide much more than just a top-notch Boulder salon studio lease. We’re here to help each member of our Indie community succeed, no matter what life throws at us. From our wholesale beauty supply program (offering rent credits for purchases you make) to our continuing education opportunities, we provide a salon studio experience unlike any other in Boulder, Denver and Lone Tree. When you’re ready to learn more about how joining the Indie community can supercharge your career in the beauty industry, please reach out to our Market Manager, Kandice Martinez. To chat with Kandice, give her a call or text at 303-792-8222.
