Company address:
15440 W. Beloit Road, New Berlin, WI 53151
Company Web site:
www.hairandbodysolutions.com
Industry:
Beauty Salon & Spa
Number of employees: 29
Company’s annual revenues:
$1.02 million in 2006.
Education:
Milwaukee Area Technical College, Barber School; master’s degree in barbering; continuing education; and KRS Summit Salon/Spa College in Minnesota
Family:
“Married 10 years to Bill Panfil, husband, who has been employed in electrical maintenance at Oilgear Co. in Milwaukee for 28 years. He does more for me than I do for myself. He gives me strength and encouragement.”
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“Embraced and implemented strong salon systems and focus on growth, both in revenue and our staff. We took over the space next door to us and doubled the size of our salon & spa to 3,000 square feet. We held to our budget guidelines and stayed on top of our finances with the professional help from Keith C. Winters, president of KCW & Associates, a tax and business solutions firm and our KRS Salon Consultant, Roberta Dotson.”
What’s new at your company?
“In the past 10 months, we grew from 18 employees to 29. From the day we opened our doors, we have been innovative and have been in a constant state of evolution. Nine months ago, we became a Redken Elite Salon, one of only 100 in the United States.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“Our team is currently looking to hire an additional experienced hair stylist and nail tech. We have a wonderful career opportunity for someone special.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“To continue with our double-digit growth in our salon and spa industry, when nationally the figure is in the single digits. More and more competition pops up and keeping our guests feeling that we truly are their very best choice when it comes to pampering themselves and finding great value in their salon/spa experience.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Brunettes! All shades of brunettes! Brunette is the new blonde. Many hair style trends are spinoffs of the 70’s and 80’s right now and are fun exciting to share with our guests. Also, to understand that the guest today is looking for a salon/spa experience, not just a service.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“To serve the guest with great intent.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“Michael Cole, a national salon motivational speaker, former hair stylist, 30 years in the industry, that has taught me that our employees are our most valuable commodity. If we take very good care of our staff and coach, mentor and educate them to be successful, they will take very good care of our guests and the success of the business will follow. Also, Keith Winters, a business professional who truly cares that I have an intelligent understanding of business, and Kurt and Diane Hampton of Anton’s Salon in Delafield. Before I opened this second location in New Berlin, Kurt sat down with me on a couple of occasions in 2001 and answered my long lists of questions.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Create a business team of professionals to guide and direct me in areas that I was not as knowledgeable. To grow people for a living and do hair for fun. (I still work behind the chair 30 hours each week). Employees do not care how much I know until they know how much I care.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“The salon world can be similar to working in a living, breathing soap opera. I wonder why it took so many years to come up with a salon setting for a TV reality series. Each day can bring humor and great joy.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I cherish time with my wonderful husband, Bill. We love to go boating, gardening, cooking and travel and spend time with family and friends. My New Year’s resolution for 2007 was a promise that I would be more available to those closest to me this year.”
