- April 25, 2024
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Leo Znascko is the owner of Salon Salon in Palm Coast.
Salon Salon owner Leo Znascko was 19 when she began styling hair. The calling may be partly genetic; her grandfather was a barber. Her father was a barber, certified as a unisex hair stylist in the '70s, and one of her sons is also a sylist.
When she moved to Palm Coast in 2006, she couldn't find a salon with the atmosphere she was used to working in, so she decided to open her own. After starting in one room by herself, she saved enough money to start the salon she owns today.
Salon Salon is starting its fifth year in business, an important milestone, as Leo explained when we sat down with her.
“I outlived my industry's first-four failure rate. Most salons go out of business before their fourth year. Once somebody tells you something like that, you're afraid of that number. Some of the reasons are your build-out was too high, your business plan wasn't put together appropriately, and your pockets weren't deep enough to sustain longevity while you're paying off start-up costs.”
“Remodeling the shop. I was holding my breath for those 4 years. I said, 'We're staying here, we can spend more money.'”
“I wanted to set my own success standards and not live to corporate expectations. When I came to town and looked around, there was a lot of beauty parlors, but not salons. We do very on-trend, progressive work. I grew up in a beauty parlor and I love them, but you service a different clientele. You have standing appointments. There's a demographic for that, but it is a dying art.”
“The whole first year I found myself understanding all of my old employers better. I remember going, 'I used to criticize her for that' and, 'Oh no, I'm turning into Mr. So and So.'”
“Less than 5% of students who go to hair school last past their first year. Of that 5%, 72% leave within three years. If I make you look horrible, it really is on me. The anxiety is huge. A lot of kids run out the back door crying in that first year and they don't come back.
“My employees are my grounding force. They are like family to me. I personally feel responsible for the success of each and every one of them. Their bills, their kids and their homes, depend on me to keep them busy and prosperous. In our industry there is a big emphasis on teaching, mentoring and elevating the next generation of professionals.”
“My clients are my friends, my community, my bosses, and my teachers. Their loyalty is truly the litmus test of my success. A lot of people will give you a try once; it's their loyalty that really makes the difference.”
“Going from chair rental to commission. Legally with chair rental, your stylists are self-employed, so you can't make them schedule or wear a uniform. Quality control is limited. It's like roommates in a house, there's always one guy who will eat your lunch.”
“When I had to dismiss three employees at once, as I changed to commission. I had to let them go because that would cut their income, and they would leave anyway, but I thought about giving up the business.”
"I changed to commission. I was alone in the salon and realized I could float the whole thing myself financially and I no longer felt beholden to my renters, co-workers, employees/sublets. For about six months, I couldn't get a person. I went to job fairs, the schools, LinkedIn and no one would apply for a job. I think it was part of the divine plan to show me 'you can do this, and you will do this alone long enough so you'll know you can lose income and still sustain the business.'”
Profile
By the Numbers
Starting 5th Year in Business
Most salons go out of business in their first 4 years
2 Employees as of January 2015
4 Employees as of January 2016
5 Members of the family are barbers or hair stylists, including grandfather, father, and one son.
5 Years is a successful salon career
15 Years is an amazing salon career
