|
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Profiles In Business Excellence: Allure
When salon owner Tatum Neiderhiser says she "grew up in the business," she means it. Her mom owned and operated a beauty school, carrying her daughter to the salon in a baby basket. Growing up with three sisters, Tatum was one of those little girls who loved to cut hair. "I never understood why Barbie couldn't have a bob, so I gave her one!," she said. Still, Tatum swore she'd never be in the business. In college, she majored in psychology, styling hair as a job to pay for school. "Then one day I realized that it came naturally and I was really good at it, so why not?" she said. She believes the two occupations are related anyway, joking that therapy in a beauty chair is cheaper than on a psychologist's couch. When a Kingston location became available, with her mother's encouragement, Tatum seized the opportunity to open her first salon. She was just 21. "It was a whim decision," Tatum said, "and definitely stressful. I was there eight months working alone." "Three and a half years later, Tatum credits the success of Allure Salon and Gallery to her staff of five beauticiansÉ and having a mom who runs a beauty school so she gets to handpick them. "I know beforehand who's good and I scoop them up," she said. "We all have different specialties so we can cater to a wide range of clientele." Allure's black and red decor is modern and urban. The salon offers all the basics, as well as specialized services like "dermalogica skin care" and IBD gel nails. Tatum is also a trained educator of Schwarzkopf hair care products. "Our priority is healthy hair, skin, and nails. We don't recommend a procedure just to sell it," Tatum said. One client was given products to try at home for a week before stylists would treat her hair. That person is now a loyal customer. Allure does enforce a 24-hour cancellation policy for less-than-24-hours notice and no-shows, but all cancellation fees are donated to charity. Allure supports Dress for Success, breast cancer research, and many local organizations. Tatum views her mother as a testament to strong women and as an amazing business woman who gave great advice: "You don't have to finish college to be a success." "Just work on being happy," Tatum said, Òand everything will fall into place." |
||||||