Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Chin.
Hi Susan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my journey as a hairstylist back in 2010 when I walked into a beauty school for a quick tour and learned very quickly that the salon was where I was meant to be! I was thriving in school and quickly became twice over master designer, our salon fair 1st place hair show winner and student council president. I started my career with Rocco Altobelli Salon and day spa as a chemical specialist and worked with them for 7 years. Over the years, I worked on their recruiting team and in educating, In 2015 I had my first child and knew very quickly I needed to be closer to home and more available for my child so I chose to uproot my career and start from ground zero by starting my own salon suite, The Chandelier Suite. I had to rebuild my clientele completely. During the 2020 Covid 19 Pandemic shut down, salons and spas were mandated to shut down for 3 months. During this extra time off I got thinking about how the industry was going to change and I knew I needed to pivot. I began the build of my luxury mobile salon suite trailer to bring on location to weddings. The mobile salon also has been a very popular little girl birthday party option as well. Offering little princess makeovers in the convenience of your driveway. In March 2022 I signed a lease on my very own 1200-square-foot storefront. We have been working on a full demo and remodel and plan to open on June 25th, 2022. The new salon will offer chair rental for independent hair stylists and a Medspa. A small clothing and retail boutique will be located inside the salon as well. It will be a luxury yet contemporary, fresh, and relaxing space.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a wild ride, to say the least. My first 7 years were pretty smooth. Working at a commission salon seems easy now that I have salon ownership under my belt. The hardest part was rebuilding my clienele when I started my own business. I knew I needed to get new faces in my chair and keep them wanting to come back and refer others in. The pandemic took a HUGE hit on the salon industry. Financially it was detrimental but having an amazing clienele who needs you as much as we need them made the comeback easier. Opening my own storefront has had its own challenges and obstacles but nothing a little extra coffee and ambition cant handle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Chandelier Suite Hair Boutique?
The Chandelier Suite hair boutique is a small luxury salon and a luxury mobile salon suite trailer. I specialize in hair color and chemical services along with hair extensions and bridal styling. My mobile salon is the first and only mobile salon suite in the state of MN. I set myself apart because I offer unparalleled customer service along with a high quality of work standard. I also offer a luxury salon space that is different than most. I want you to feel like you’re at a 5-star salon without the 5-star price. I also find pride in quality hair care products for retail. The main product line I offer is called Lis’n. It is locally made in Bicelyn MN on a farm with farm found clean products. They are paraben, sulfate, and gluten-free. They are also animal cruletly free and a couple is vegan. The company is a small local women-owned business and I love supporting local and women-owned businesses.
I specialize in hair color so I do not offer any hair cutting services. I specialize mainly in balayage and fashion colors. I just recently flew to Florida to get certified in a new invisible bead extension that’s the first of its kind. I am very excited to be offering that as well.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The pandemic has taught me a lot about myself however business wise I would say it made me a stronger business owner knowing I was able to be able to make it through without having to go under and it made me realize how much I need my clients on a personal/friendship level.
Pricing:
- All over colors $63+
- Balayage $177+
- Hair extensions $999+
- Trailer birthday party rentals $350+
- Trailer wedding rentals $850+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thechandeliersuite.com
- Instagram: @thechandeliersuite
- Facebook: @thechandeliersuite
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/thechandeliersuite
- Other: www.susanchin.glossgenius.com
