Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Wilson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
We opened Nomobo Salon in March of 2014. Our original location was 4 doors south of where we currently work out of. I opened our new location September of this year.
The salon environment always felt like a second-home to me. My mom owns a salon in Cleveland, so I spent a decent amount of time being immersed in one. In addition to that, I always loved the idea of a salon as a non-judgement space- to come as you are and enable your clients to express themselves through a hairstyle that you create together. You engage with people you may not encounter otherwise in the day to day living and build a working relationship with them.
After graduating with a liberal arts and science degree, I began to explore the creative world after being frustrated with the bureaucracy of the non-profit sector. I had looked into cosmetology school while I was in my undergrad, but being a full-time student and working part time as a salon receptionist left minimal time. I began cosmetology school the following fall with a former co-worker/current employee.
While in cosmetology school, I managed a reputable salon in Chicago. I learned mostly everything I needed to know to run my business from those experiences and will be forever grateful. I helped them open 3 of their 4 city locations. After doing it the last time, I decided I might as well be doing this for myself. There were a handful of us that had worked together for 8+ years and we were ready for a change. This is when Nomobo Salon was born.
We make a great team! I like both aspects-being behind the chair as a stylist and facilitating the business side of things. Being an owner allows me the flexibility to do both in a way that I deem the most fit. I am lucky to be working with such an awesome staff, who truly make up the salon.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing worth it is easy. There are definitely struggles along the way, but I like the challenge. I learned a lot of things about myself and about what comes along with operating in the business world.
About 2 years into the business, I decided to become the sole owner. I learned that being in a partnership didn’t suit the ebb and flow of work/personal life that can become very blurred as an entrepreneur. I like to do other work projects on the side like photoshoots and educating part-time for COLOR.ME by KEVIN.MURPHY. It’s difficult to figure out how that all plays out when you are in a partnership. Being out of the salon means that I’m not contributing funds into the business. It’s hard to quantify intangible contributions like brand promotion and networking. I didn’t want to have to think or plan, but just do. It was a challenge to be honest with myself about working better solo and confront my business partner.
I also had to relocate the business 2 1/2 years into opening. Our old space was full of distractions and interruptions from landlord projects and AirBnB guests. We like to work in a peaceful, up-beat environment and our previous space was unfairly taking our focus away from our clients. We are so much happier in our new space, but relocation comes with a cost, the headache of city permitting, and time taken away from being with clients. I had to give up a lot of my clients during the transition of taking on full ownership, educating part-time, and relocating. I still miss some of my clients I really enjoyed working with.
Our business just celebrated our 3rd year anniversary this March. It’s no joke that it usually takes 3 years for things to regroup after opening a business. I feel like I’m just about getting there…
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Nomobo Salon – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I like to think of our salon space as a laid-back yet professional place. The salon feel is modern, warm and inviting.
As a team, we specialize in hair cutting and coloring. We do looks that range from enhancing someone’s natural hair to creating more fashion-forward styles. We have a really diverse clientele and that’s what keeps us inspired.
Our whole staff is really into what they do and we love to bounce ideas off of each other. We continually educate ourselves and push each other to be the best hairstylist we can be. I think a variety of personalities are important and everyone is able to be who they are in their work life.
As a company, we are proud of the clientele we have built, because they are an awesome group of people we truly enjoy interacting with. I love seeing how a stylist personality resonates with their clientele base. It’s the best when a client finds a stylist who just gets what they are going for because they have similar visions.
The integrity of our clients’ hair is also very important to us. We proudly utilize KEVIN.MURPHY haircare products that are sulphate free, paraben free and cruelty free.
COLOR.ME hair color is PETA approved, Ammonia Free and PPD Free. These products contain naturally-derived ingredients, are weightlessly designed, and are created with eco-conscious practices. These things are personally important to us and we want to share that with our clients.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
You never know what changes may lay ahead, so I don’t like to get too ahead of myself. I look forward to the continued salon growth. I would like to become a certified Green Circle Salon. We are always working on fun, creative film projects so looking forward to expanding that with our staff. I think about expanding my educator position into haircutting and not just color. I also plan on having a family, so that can change a lot of things.
I have visions of somehow tying my public policy background into my creative side with local non-profits or government organizations. I would love to put a publication together that covered culture, hair, fashion, people, etc. with other contributors. There are just sooo many visions in the pipeline I get overwhelmed thinking about all them. But that’s what a lifetime is for…. I’m in no rush to accomplish every goal. As a Capricorn, I’ll always be climbing my personal mountain in this big world.
Pricing:
- Women’s Haircut $65
- Men’s Haircut $45
- Haircolor $85/hour
Contact Info:
- Address: Nomobo Salon
1425 N Ashland
Chicago, IL 60622 - Website: www.nomobosalon.com
- Phone: 773.698.8401
- Email: nomobosalon@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nomobosalon/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NomoboSalon/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nomobosalon
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nomobo-salon-chicago-2
- Other: http://kevinmurphy.com.au/
Image Credit:
Product Photo: KEVIN.MURPHY
Nomobo Storefront: Dakarai Akil/Lab Cab Cle
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