Stylin' and profilin'

Haircuts are now just a few short miles or a few blocks away depending on where you live in Plumas Lake. Hairstylist Kristi Walcott recognized a need shortly after moving to Plumas Lake that she believed she could fill, and jumped in with two feet and a pair of scissors, opening the first hair salon in the community.

“I saw a need here in our community and thought I could fill it,” said Walcott. ”I find this location is great for many people who otherwise would have to drive into Olivehurst, Marysville or Yuba City to find a hair salon.”

Walcott’s dream of a salon here in Plumas Lake was not something that happened overnight but was instead the result of a careful planning and an investment to create a professional salon where once stood a garage for a third car.

“One of the most important things to me in getting this business going was that it looked and was professional,” Walcott said. “When we first looked into this type of an opportunity in Plumas Lake we took our time to make sure the salon was built with all the details.”

Walcott and her husband had the parking structure completely walled off from the rest of their home and inserted a private entrance into the salon off of the home’s side yard to allow for clients to enter and exit without disturbing the rest of the family. Just over $13,000 was spent in renovations and equipment to get the business up and running.

The salon has been open for just about a year and while the initial investment was a bit steep, Walcott is still able to offer her clients a service while keeping her prices competitive if not lower than most full-scale salons. Her average cost of a haircut and style runs $28; add a color treatment service and the haircut is discounted to $20.

While she is a Redken-certified colorist, her salon offers a full line of products including Paul Mitchell, Biolage, Redken and Crew for Men. In addition to regular hair cutting and coloring treatments, Walcott also offers facial

waxing.

Walcott says her initial foray into running a business has been challenging but very rewarding. Prior to opening the salon, she worked in Roseville as a hairstylist and salon manager but never owned her own business.

“The biggest challenge I have found in being out here is getting the word out that my services are available,” Walcott states. “I have just made it a priority to pound the pavement with fliers and get involved in supporting local fundraisers by offering gift certificates for prizes and awards.”

Walcott says her biggest success has been word-of-mouth advertising and current clients referring friends, family and neighbors.

Even with the common bumps that come with getting a business launched and on the road to success, Walcott feels this was positive move both personally and for the community.

“I enjoy the fact that I am here when my son comes home from school and that I don’t have to commute, especially with today’s gas prices,” she says. “I also hope that having a service like this so close makes it a bigger convenience for

clients and community members.”

Looking toward the future, Kristi Walcott is optimistic about building her client base and potentially opening a larger-scale salon once retail facilities become available in the future.

(To schedule an appointment, call (530) 230-7008).

Plumas Lake Life correspondent Michele Perrault can be reached at (916) 600-6814 or you may email her at michele@winfirst.com.