The term “customer” or “client” doesn’t quite cut it at Afterglow Hair Lounge.
The Powell River business, which will celebrate 11 years in service this April, considers all those who pass through its doors a “guest.”
What started as a one-chair operation rented inside another business - the Simply Bronze tanning salon - today has grown to have its very own location with a five-chair salon and an esthetics room.
And much of that success is owed to the philosophy of owner Holly Barnes and her staff.
“I like to have a personal relationship with everyone who comes in, and the rest of my staff feel the same way,” explains Barnes.
“We like to consider our guests as family by making them feel welcomed and allowing them to be themselves when they visit.”
“A lot of other salons will use the term client,” she continues. “But I feel that’s really impersonal. They are a guest when they are with us, and that’s how we treat them.”
The reason?
“We’re providing personal services for people, so we get to know them,” Barnes describes. “It’s amazing how people will share a lot with their stylist, more so than most other personal service providers they might go to.”
According to Barnes, every appointment is an opportunity to build a personal relationship with their guests.
“Plus, it’s a respectful term to use which helps ensure they are looked after and emphasizes we really care about the outcome of their service, and them as people, too.”
This commitment to service shines through, or should we say glows.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the salon’s closure for two months, the pent-up demand for quality care when it re-opened meant the business was booked solid for four months straight.
“We were so busy that it made sense to work longer hours at that time, and now we have stayed with that model, which worked well for us,” Barnes says, adding Afterglow Hair Lounge remains open from 10 am to 8 pm.
“That makes it convenient for our guests and also allows staff to work four-day weeks.”
For more information about how to book a “guest” spot at Afterglow Hair Lounge, visit afterglowhairlounge.com.
