Today we’d like to introduce you to David Leon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us David. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a 19 year hairdresser that’s graduated from pivot point cosmetology school. I have worked with many high end hair salons in the Chicago land area over the years. Most of my years before opening my own salon in 2007 was spent with Mario Tricoci Salons. With Mario’s I was a senior stylist as was William my partner as a senior colorist. After years of working hard for other salons winning awards for my work and growing my 6 figure clientele I felt it was time to go on my own! I have been self-employed since 2007 and haven’t looked back!!!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
From going from an employee to an owner almost overnight it wasn’t easy. I had to learn about payroll and taxes and overhead the hard way by trial and error… I went from making 6 figures to having to put all my money back into the biz just to make the rent and bills the 1st few years. Over those few years I built an amazing team behind me who is still with me today!! Of course I have hired fired and had people leave over the years but it all is part of the game. After about year 5 things stated to pay off when I moved my location and cut the size of the salon in 1/2. I went from a 20 chair salon and spa to an 11 chair salon only no spa and instant success my pay pretty much tripled over night! So lesson bigger isn’t always better people believe me!!
Please tell us about The salon by David & William.
I (David) am a cutting and styling specialist and William is a color specialist but our salon is not departmentalized our stylist do everything. We are a Salon of 4 male stylist and 4 girl stylist who all have been trained or have won awards for their work over the years. We are known to be a warm welcoming and family friendly salon for all we do not discriminate against anyone from women, man to child. We have a children’s waiting area for anyone who can’t find a sitter. We also have a beverage bar with complimentary drinks for anyone in the salon!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Having my number picked to do the Bozo buckets! I only got to bucket #1 but was still worth it lol!!!!
Pricing:
- Haircut start at $25 up to $80
- Color starts at $45 up to $200
- Keratin specials run daly from $100 up
- Hair extensions start at $300
- Make up applications start at $35
- Wedding hair and updos specials
Contact Info:
- Address: 7 east 1st street Hinsdale Illinois 60521
- Website: Thesalonbydw.com
- Phone: 630-321-9033
- Email: thesalonbydw@gmail.com
- Instagram: Thesalonbydw
- Facebook: The Salon by David & William
- Yelp: The salon by David and William
