By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
At the Golden Vanity Mane Salon Studio in downtown Bowling Green, the clients, are called “guests.”
That’s the way salon owner Haley Reese and the other stylists in the shop treat them.
There’s beverages, hot towels infused with essential oils and even shopping just a few steps away. “They are guests in our space,” Reese said. “We want to create a very homey atmosphere.”
Reese said those guests are the key to the salon’s success. “Everyone is super caring and supportive.”
This week The Golden Vanity marked its fifth anniversary. In light of the pandemic, the celebration was low key, but satisfying nonetheless.
“The growth of business over five years has been great,” Reese said. She takes heart in the belief that “if you can make it to five years, you’re good.”
Making it to the fifth anniversary meant making it through an ongoing pandemic.
“The pandemic was really tough because we didn’t know what to expect for the future,” she said. The shop was shut down for eight weeks starting in mid-March. Reese did come in weekly so customers could pick up beauty products.
Since the shop reopened “it’s been great,” she said. “Honestly, I feel it’s been better than ever. I think the pandemic really forced people to slow down and enjoy the little things. And it’s nice to see people supporting local business.”
She added that “during the time we were shut down, so many of our clients reached out and asked us if they could purchase gift cards for their services. So that way there was a little more revenue. … It was so sweet.”
And the salon took part in a t-shirt promotion offered by the area clothing company Jüpmode, and had a t-shirt done featuring their business, which earned $10 per shirt sold.
All this confirms Reese’s decision to open Golden Vanity in downtown. There is a sense of camaraderie among the business. Flatlands Coffee regularly delivers to the shop.
The closest tie is to Mode Elle Boutique, next door.
The clothing store started online and its first shop was in the waiting area of Golden Vanity. When the storefront next door, on the Four Corners, opened up, owner Stacie Banfield moved and expanded the boutique there.
The doorway between the salon and the boutique stays open. Salon customers can browse before, after, and even during their appointments.
In high school, Reese, who grew up in Deshler, was intent on going to college to study graphic design and marketing. She also was doing other students’ hair for prom and other special occasions.
It was her mother who suggested since she loved styling hair that she pursue that, and maybe later go to college.
She went to the Salon Professional Academy, now Summit Salon Academy in Perrysburg. “I ended up falling in love with it,” she said.
She started her career 11 years ago working at a large salon in Perrysburg. In 2014, her grandmother was critically ill. Reese said “I wanted to spend a lot of time with her,” so she rented a booth in a shop in Wauseon.
Her grandmother died later that year.
Reese did dream of opening her own business, but didn’t think it would happen.
That changed by accident, literally a car accident. She struck a driver who had gone through a stop sign. Neither was injured, but Reese’s car was totaled.
While in Bowling Green to rent a car, she noticed that the space near the Four Corners was available. She took down the number, and called.
Golden Vanity became a reality.
She operates on a commission basis. The stylists are employees who get commission on the charges for services and sales.
“I like to be able to work as a team and sometimes, when you go that booth rental route, everyone’s more individual,” she said. It also simplifies paying taxes for the stylists.
While there’s a certain amount of turnover, Reese’s close friend Hailey Knapke has been with her throughout.
The two met when they were starting out in a salon in Perrysburg. When Knapke recently married, Reese was her maid of honor.
“When I was thinking about opening a business,” Reese said, “the first thing she asked was, ‘when do I start?’”
Knapke serves as business director and master stylist. “It’s really big blessing to have her stand by me and be there for everything,” Reese said.
While part of her would like to expand, Reese said: “I’m in love with this space so much, I don’t know that I could leave.”
