Naperville salon offering curbside service -- at least for products
We've all been there. A van full of kids, an afternoon full of errands.
Sometimes the idea of making one more "quick stop" - and getting everyone unbuckled and across the parking lot, corralling them in the store while you pick out and pay for one or two items, then trooping back to the car and buckling in again - is just overwhelming.
A new service on the menu at Paul Joseph Salon & Spa in Naperville offers help for harried moms and others in a hurry: curbside product pickup.
Customers can call the salon, arrange to buy shampoos, conditioners and more, then swing by and an employee will bring the purchase out to a car idling at the curb.
Owner Paul Joseph Gerace tells us more about his business.
Q. What is your background in the industry?
A. I was born and raised in a salon. My mother owned a salon and my two sisters as well as myself have become stylists and salon owners. For as long as I can remember, I have been in the salon, helping and assisting.
After beauty school, I started training in a salon to quickly gain as much exposure as I could. I knew what characteristics make a salon great, but I wanted more understanding of what I could do to make a salon unique.
Q. How did you know you could be successful?
A. I had a strong client base that loved their hair. And I love doing it.
Q. What milestones do you look for that indicate you've made it?
A. Growth, and each guest that leaves loving their hair.
Q. What's your niche?
A. Hair color and shape. We also offer the most progressive beauty products including AVEDA, Morrocan Oil, FHI heat tools and Pureology.
Q. What sets your business apart from competitors? Who are your competitors?
A. There are several salons, but what sets us apart is quality and service. We listen to our guests.
To help our busy moms, we have started curbside delivery service of all of our products.
The salon is filled with natural light to help properly prescribe color and make our guests more comfortable.
Also, I am Paul Joseph and I am here at the salon to make sure that you leave happy.
Q. How broad is your customer base?
A. Wheaton to Plainfield; Lisle to Oswego; I even have clients from Chicago
Q. What changes are you making to weather this economy?
A. Quality always endures, but to make things easier on our current and new guests, we are hosting open houses, such as Holiday Hair on Nov. 13. At this event you can pre-purchase a service at a 30 percent discount.
Guests can enjoy a wine tasting by Peterson's Wine Cellars and hors d'oeuvres from Old Town Pizza and Dolce Amore while benefiting from style and shape consultations and skin analysis. The first 200 participants will receive gift bags including travel-size AVEDA or Pureology products and be entered into raffles.
Q. Where would you like to see your business in five years? 10 years?
A. Thriving, right here where it is today. I feel that I have a lot of options for my business - expanding size, locations or into education for new talent. Either way it will be a natural progression, thus a success.
Q. How has technology changed your industry?
A. Better products with controlled results. AVEDA hair color is 99 percent natural. It's longer lasting with more shine.
Q. What trends are you seeing in the industry?
A. Bangs and rich, fall colors with hints of red. The hottest products are AVEDA and Moroccan Oil and we have it curbside.
Out is chemical-based product and assembly line-like services.
Q. What advice do you have for someone looking to hire a professional in your industry or to use a business like yours?
A. I recommend an initial consultation. If you feel stuck or you're not sure how the hot trend will look, bring in magazine photos or photos of when you loved your hair and we will come up with a prescribed look that you will love.
Q. How does your business support the community?
A. We support multiple community charities and often work with the Naperville Junior Women's Club.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Paul Joseph Salon & Spa </p> <p class="News"><b>Niche:</b> Salon and spa </p> <p class="News"><b>Years in business:</b> Nine at this location</p> <p class="News"><b>Employees:</b> 15</p> <p class="News"><b>Hours:</b> 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday</p> <p class="News"><b>Location:</b> 2960 Artesian Road, Suite 104, Naperville</p> <p class="News"><b>Phone:</b> (630) 696-4700</p> <p class="News"><b>E-mail:</b> <a href="mailto:pauljosephsalon@gmail.com">pauljosephsalon@gmail.com</a></p> <p class="News"><b>Web:</b> <a href="http://pauljosephsalonandspa.com" target="new">pauljosephsalonandspa.com</a></p>