Salon Rouge - Big Fish, Small Pond
Sunday, March 02, 2014
In every small town across America, there's at least one salon that
raises the bar for everyone else. Mishawaka, IN, (population 46,557) has
Salon Rouge.
Nicknamed "The Princess City," Mishawaka, IN, was named after the 19th
century Princess Mishawaka, the daughter of Shawnee Indian Chief
Elkhart, whose affair with a white trapper and abduction by a jealous
Indian suitor created a mix of romance and intrigue that still
characterizes the city today. Making history all on its own in this
small city, Salon Rouge provides locals with big-city services to keep
them looking fresh and current.
With more than 20 years of experience working at such prestigious salons
as Vidal Sassoon and José Eber, Salon Rouge owner Gail Getz knows what
it takes to run and maintain a successful hair business. The salon,
which opened in 1997 and changed its name in 2003, only offers salon
services because it's what Getz knows best.
She also exclusively hires novice stylists who then go through the
salon's training program. "This is the only way I can maintain quality
control," Getz says. "I know exactly what kind of work will get done.
Also, when everyone grows up within the same training program, there is
often less jealousy and more teamwork."
The 3,000-square-foot salon features a primarily red-colored, New
Orleans-inspired decor with chandeliers throughout and large oval
mirrors at every station. The salon's 22 stylists, as well as the
receptionists, all understand the importance of customer service, which
is why they treat all clients with the utmost attention and care. "Our
front desk staff is just as important as our stylists because they are
the first people clients see and the last people they talk to," Getz
says. "We never want any client to feel uncomfortable here."
Salon Rouge offers a variety of hair and nail services to its clients,
who Getz claims consist mostly of transplants from all different parts
of the United States. "We have a lot of clients from big cities and
other parts of the country who are attracted to the services we
provide," says Getz, who insists that keeping these clients satisfied
and eager to return is the salon's constant goal. "My aspirations were
never to have multiple salons," Getz says. "I am satisfied with just one
phenomenal salon, so we work hard on keeping it great every single
day." —NICOLE PALMIERI