Today we’d like to introduce you to Deana McLean.
Hi, Deana; thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Elk River in second/third grade. My family moved here from Winona, Minnesota, back in the day. Growing up in a small town was the best time ever. Everyone knew each other. Even as a child, I dreamed of having my own business one day. My dad was an entrepreneur and built his own company. My parents were strong people who taught us the value of working hard to get where we wanted to be. I started working at the age of 13 years old. After graduating from High School, I went on to Community College; from there, I decided I wanted to attend MPLS Concordia Medical Institute to pursue becoming a Certified Medical Assistant. After graduating as a Certified Medical Assistant, I worked in several clinics. But soon, I still wanted to have my own business in caring for others. I took the next steps in attending Beauty College and starting my own Nail/Pedicure/Tanning Salon in the heart of downtown Elk River. I called the Waterfall Salon & Day Spa.
One year into my business, I experienced a tragic fire and lost everything. Not thinking twice, I got back up with the help of my landlord, who directed me to another property he had to get back up and running. Two of my account salon representatives I worked with stepped in, getting me all the supplies and equipment I needed to get back up and running. Soon after, I brought in a Hair Stylist/Massage Therapist and began to build my dream of becoming a Salon owner in full swing. Within 2 years, my family was offered the building I was leasing, and we purchased it. While doing this, I am still working another job right next to my salon at The Sunshine Depot (a bar and grill), the place everyone went to in our community, and they still do. Working the extra job helped me to keep a steady cash flow. As we all know, when starting a business, you do not always get a paycheck right away when you are building. Working long hours and taking every step, I built The Waterfall Salon & Day Spa (also the first-day spa in Elk River), a place of pampering and relaxation with a great atmosphere.
After 9 years of running the business, I started a family with my husband, Jon, and we had two beautiful daughters who began to take a lot of my time. I decided to sell the salon and look into other options that would be better for our family at that point. I went to work at another salon and rented space to do nails and pedicures while training as a mortgage loan officer. After my training, I opened my own office, First Class Mortgage. After running that for 5 years, I was allowed to have the salon back. I chose the salon, which was truly where I wanted to be. Heading back into my happy place and back in the heart of downtown Elk River again, I was off running with a staff of amazing people.
I named my salon Little Rejuvenation Station at that time. What does that name mean? Little-small town Rejuvenation: Relaxation Station: Elk River is a railroad town that runs directly through our downtown area. Elk River is also on the waters of the Mississippi River, which is right out the back door of my salon. I see this as water, a sign of positive energy and flow. How lucky am I to have this right out my back door? My passion for the Elk River Community is extreme. I volunteered for our youth hockey for over 13 years as their fundraising director. My oldest daughter, Shae, played hockey from 5 years old through her college years. When my second daughter Sage swam, I volunteered for our Girls Swim team board as their fundraising director and vice president. I also loved to engage with other volunteer opportunities.
As of now, I choose to be a part of our Riverfront Downtown Elk River Business Association and follow through as the Chair/President for the Association. I enjoy every moment of what we do, as my heart is so much about being a team with others, finding ways to make a difference in our community, and bringing our community together. Seeing the fun events we do puts smiles and laughter on faces. That truly is what life and living in a small town is about. The song “Small Town Girl” very much resonates with me and, I would say, with many others. I am that girl that has a hard time saying NO to things. But as I get older, I also see the value in stepping back and delegating when needed. And remember, we are only one person and can not take on everything. A few years down the road, I decided to change my salon name to Salon On Main. It was the right thing to do as I was directly on Main Street. And it has stayed this way. One of the amazing parts of being a business owner is that I have partnered with our Elk River High School DECA teacher and her students over the past several years. I allow the students to come in for three months out of the year and open their store, selling all their incredible Elk River apparel. All the funds they make in these months go directly back to their program to help them with many of their events, projects, travel expenses, etc.
My salon is thriving. All my stylists rent their studio rooms and come and go with their businesses, creating an easy working environment for everyone. As for myself and the services I do, they are as follows: I have the lower half of my salon with three private rooms where I do Nails, Manicures, Pedicures, Rain Drop Therapy, Reflexology, Reiki/Hand of Healing, meditation classes or one-on-one, Life Coaching and Mediumship/Psychic Readings. Soon, I will launch a new retail store in front of our salon called Eclectic Boutique, which will have new and pre-loved (used ) items. Also, I am part of a fantastic company called Life Vantage, which carries and shares wellness products. At 55, I know I would not change a thing from my path in life already. I continue to inspire my children and those around me to follow their hearts, goals, and dreams. I remind people you are the only one in charge of you and your life. Take chances, travel when you can, and embrace this life you have been given. One of my favorite places is when I can travel and fill my soul with the ocean and sand. I make this happen at least once a year. Our past situations are how we become stronger and make a difference today. I am so blessed to have gone through all the ups and downs in my life so far, and I am looking forward to all the manifesting I am doing for my future self.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey I have been on over the years has been challenging, learning life lessons sometimes the hard way. Is this the right path for me? Those days leave working late hours and come home to sit down and be exhausted, but then get back up the next day and do it all over again. Not having the right people in your path to help you with situations you thought you could handle yourself. I could continue, but this may take up too much. I continue to tell myself you can do this. You are the only one to make this happen. Have faith and believe in yourself. Journaling has been positive, and I am learning to care for myself. Make downtime so you can re-generate your energy, mind, and soul.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Salon On Main is a business filled with many services. All our staff rent their studio rooms. The staff come and go as they wish according to their business schedule. The services that are offered here at Salon On Main are Color, Cuts, Highlighting, Waxing, Professional Wigs, Hair Extensions, Color Specialities, Nails, Manicures, Pedicures, Reflexology, Rain Drop Therapy, Reiki/Hands-on Healing Therapy, Life Coaching, Mediation Classes, Psychic/Mediumship reading, Retail Store filled with New and Pre-Loved (Used) Items. What sets us apart from many others is our unique space and atmosphere—directly on the Mighty Mississippi River and in the quaint downtown of Elk River. And many of the services we offer are unique to the area and surrounding area. My brand for my business comes from my heart and soul, and as a business owner, I like to create what I would want to see and have if I were going into a business. I craft my services of pampering and helping my clients feel they are filling up with relaxation and a safe place to be.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The salon industry is heading more into independent spaces in one building, giving them their way of running their businesses and making their hours. We have many shifts and changes each year, and you have to learn to hop on the train and go with the flow.
Pricing:
- All our pricing varies from each staff member
Contact Info:
- Website: salon-on-main.net
- Instagram: salononmainelkriver
- Facebook: Salon On Main Elk River
