Design Vignettes: My Salon Space Reveal!

Ahh St. Germaine, my favorite! How cute is this picnic with adult beverages to go? I loved this colorful and creative window display that I recently saw in the plaza that houses my new Rodan + Fields by appointment only salon space. Have you seen it?

Wow, it has been awhile since I have stopped by to post here on Design Vignettes! When I first started this blog in 2009, I was a stay-at-home mom, looking for a creative outlet to share my love for all things design. For those of you who have followed my journey, I have traveled a varied career path since then, definitely not a straight line, but always with the goal to make a living and build a business doing what I love (if you want the unabridged version of the story, pour yourself a drink – Prosecco with a splash of St. Germaine perhaps? – and open up some past posts ... maybe grab a bottle or two as it will take awhile to go through them all ; )

Flash forward to July of 2015 when I was introduced to the opportunity of representing the Rodan + Fields premium skincare brand ...

Just a glimpse of my Rodan + Fields skincare consultant journey.

The photo above – taken during R+F convention, October 2016 – features the companies two founding dermatologists, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields (who first found success with their launch of Proactiv) and standing by my side my long time friend, Leah Guimont, who first introduced me to the Rodan + Fields brand.

What I liked most about R+F, besides how amazing the products made my skin look and feel, was that this was a business I could build in my spare time. I didn’t have to work 40 hours a week, didn’t have to travel, didn’t have to invest a lot of money, and I could get up and running with my own product website plus virtual training with the click of the button (oh, and I paid $45 to enroll as an Independent Consultant, although I truly wish I had signed on with one of the large product-filled business building kits to take advantage of the special discount). And while this business model is based on e-commerce and virtual sales, early on I knew that I wanted to set up a space outside of my home where I could show the products to others while training new consultants on how to become a brand rep for Rodan + Fields.

And I guess a part of me really just wanted a room of my own that I could decorate as I wished, and always have it look exactly the same way as when I left it. That is how I became a “by appointment only” salon owner at Salons by JC.

Salons by JC at Redstone Plaza, Suite 29

117 Main Street, Stoneham MA

Since I opened my R+F salon space (Suite 29) in mid-November of 2016, I have had a number of open house events, have met with and trained new R+F consultants, and have been introduced to the many other talented salon stylist neighbors who are all running their own businesses, in their own ways, in their own spaces. It is a high-energy place to be, with a constant buzz of stylists and clients sharing stories while tending to the much needed ritual of self care (services offered range from cuts and colors, to waxing, to massage, to nail care, to micro-blading, to extensions, and more).

The concept of Salons by JC is to provide independent beauty industry professionals a way to run their businesses without having to manage all the overhead that typically comes with salon ownership. There is a concierge service at the front of the building and once inside there are dozens of suites for rent. I am so happy to have one of them!

Just some of the salon owners at Salons by JC (with room for more!)

Above is my vision board for my salon space that I shared during the One Room Challenge last fall. Below is the “before” photo. I realized that I never did show my “after” photos, which is why I am finally taking the time to write this post!

And here is how it looks today ...

Many items in my space have been repurposed from design shows that I have participated in over the years that I have been holding onto ever since. It’s so nice to have found a home for them! The “You are beautiful!” slogan (and movement) was initiated by an artist that I follow online. Links to these stories and spaces are at the end of this post.

Rodan + Fields gifts to go that I offered during a holiday shopping event.

A place for everything and everything in its place!

Rodan + Fields skincare product collections (Soothe, Unblemish, Redefine, Reverse and Lash Boost) are displayed on top of shadow box frames that have before and after photos pinned inside. I also use this table top area to sit down with new consultants and answer their getting started questions face to face. Having the products on hand for show and tell makes it super easy to explain their benefits.

I usually have product samples to share and gift certificates for purchase.

Cupcakes served by my neighbor, Nikki of Boss Beauty, at her open house.

One thing I have learned from being a part of this new industry – social selling – is that the key is to show up, whether that means scheduling appointments (I would like to do more of this), reaching out to existing customers (have enjoyed doing this since I started), or inviting others to give this brand – and business opportunity – a try (how about YOU??!!)

Setting personal business goals is great, but taking the action necessary to yield the best results is required for true success. My plan is to show up even more in my salon space, which I have found has helped me to show that I take my R+F business seriously. There are women and men who have grown amazing businesses with Rodan + Fields. Some have retired from their day jobs, and others use R+F to add to their mix of offerings while supplementing their income. For me, it has been a way to remain creative, market a brand I love and trust, and help others to improve their skin – and their lives – all while earning enough to cover my own product usage and business expenses while growing something bigger for down the road.

If you have been thinking about a new chapter for yourself, or have been wondering how to add additional revenue to your beauty industry business without adding additional hours to your day, I’d love to help start you on your own R+F journey.

Whether you are local to Boston or are located states or even countries away (we are in Canada now and will be launching in Australia in May of this year) I’d be happy to share what I know with you. Email me at yblacker@verizon.net to learn more or visit my product or business opportunity pages (links below).

What I really love about this virtual skincare business is that it provides each independent consultant with the tools needed for success: from an easy to navigate website, to great marketing materials, to complete order fulfillment, to comprehensive online training, to private facebook support groups with other consultants who end up as friends. It truly is a brilliant business model – I am so glad it was presented to me – it really has been a blessing and a gift. If you would like to meet some of my R+F friends in person, we will be hosting an opportunity event mid April at a local restaurant. Reach out to me for a personal invite. Would love to have you join us!