In the news

“With our suite concept, we are actually safer than regular salons because each of our clients have their own space — three walls and a door — so they are closed off from the other clients,” Bennett said. “The adjustments we have had to make due to COVID-19 are fewer, too, because of the way our clients…

MY SALON Suite—a national franchise that rents space for hairstylists, nail artists, massage therapists, tattoo artists, and other beauty professionals—is asking customers to remain in their vehicles until their appointments. “The beauty professionals let [the customers] know when they’re ready for them and then greet them at the door, where they take their temperature, make sure they’re wearing a mask, and then escort them into their suite,” says Natalie Sperr, owner of MY SALON Suite in Westminster and Louisville. Sperr says other safety measures include nightly professional cleanings, hand sanitizer stations throughout the building, and frequently wiping down the common area.

Randy Gunst owns My Salon Suite franchises in Glen Ellyn, open since January, and Oak Brook, which opened two days before the March shutdown. Each location has 25 individual suites that can be rented by hairstylists, nail technicians, massage therapists and more. During these pandemic days, being able to offer a one-on-one experience is a plus, he said. “The environment is such that you can close that suite door, and people can feel safer.”

All personnel in the suite are adhering to social distancing guidelines, as is the suite itself. Customers are required to ring into their specific barber or stylist before entering the lobby. They are then advised on whether to enter or to wait in their vehicles – the waiting area is no longer available for everyone’s safety. Once they are buzzed into the building, there is hand sanitizer in the lobby

“This year’s ‘Portraits of Success’ conference was fitting, as the brand celebrated another year of monumental milestones and success through our continued nationwide growth,” said Ken McAllister, CEO of Suite Management Franchising and president of MY SALON Suite. “Each year at convention, I am amazed at the opportunities our franchise partners create within the industry for like-minded salon professionals to grow with the brand.

“We’re looking at the silver lining. The health and beauty industry has always proven to be resilient and we’re expecting to see a surge when everything returns back to normal- there’s going to be a lot of pent-up demand for our Members’ services…”

For My Salon Suite, a salon franchise offering fully-furnished suites where beauty professionals can own and operate their own businesses, COVID-19 closures require that all parties involved get creative to stay afloat

MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza has launched an e-gift card portal for the Members that work out of MY SALON Suite and have been been affected by stay at home orders. Members are each given their own website portal to sell gift cards which can then be sent to their clients as a way to pre-book appointments. It allows for clients to pre-pay for their appointment down the line and letting Members still earn money while being at home.