Main Street Business

Feeling absolutely fabulous as a result of getting a fresh cut and dye and my eyebrows done just so, I was able to sit down with the very busy Loren Whiteley and talk about the ins and outs of running a hair salon. The Hair Lounge, which is located in Millerton, NY, is a full-service hair salon. Besides being the owner and daily operator of the salon, Loren is also one of its hairdressers, and she was able to shed some light on the day-to-day as well as the business in general.

What makes The Hair Lounge stand out from other hair salons?

Getting your hair and or eyebrows done is a very personal thing. It’s one-on-one, so it boils down to the personal connection and service you have with your hair dresser. Each hair salon has its people, its characters, and so it’s really about customers’ preferences. Who do you want to work on your hair or eyebrows while you talk to them for an hour or more?  

When did the Hair Lounge open?

After the tragic passing of Chad Malarchuck of Chad’s Hair Studio in 2018, we were in shock. I had been working there as one of his hairdressers for a few years, and Chad had become one of my best friends. It was a really stressful time between his passing, grieving the loss of my friend, finalizing the closing of his business, and then eventually everything that went into opening my new business. 

It was basically out of necessity though that I decided to open The Hair Lounge. I was happy to continue Chad’s legacy, and that was made easier because most of Chad’s team and his mom came with me to The Hair Lounge, which I opened in September of 2018.  

Have you always liked all things hair?

I have always loved hair. I remember French braiding all my friends’ hair when I was around 10. I started working at a salon when I was 15. I remember because my mom had to drive me. I learned the ropes there, first as an assistant, then answering the phones and making appointments. It was a right of passage, and I learned every aspect of the hair business. When I was in 11th grade, I completed the BOCES hair program. After high school, I went to beauty school, where I got all my certifications. From there I got a job at Shine Hair Salon in Lakeville, CT. When Shine closed I moved to Chad’s along with Tara.  

What does The Hair Lounge specialize in?

Well, obviously hair. [To which we both laughed.] Specifically, coloring, highlights, cutting, Brazilian blow-outs, and hair extensions. No perms though! We also do a lot of eyebrows, and soon we’ll be offering lash lift and tinting. 

We provide these services for men, women, and children of all ages.

How is the “hair” business? 

It’s fun and really rewarding when our customers leave feeling beautiful and good about themselves. But it can also be really stressful because we hear about everyone’s best days as well as their worst days – hairdressers, therapists, and bartenders, we’re the ones who hear it all. 

There are never enough hours in the day. Between hair appointments, we’re always busy making sure we’re fully stocked with color and shampoos, cleaning and preparing for the next customer, as well as making sure we have available appointments and reminding customers about upcoming appointments. We feel so bad when we’re booked and can’t accommodate a customer, but the reality is that we then often end up staying late because we want to please our customers.   

Have there been a lot of changes within the industry? 

Oh definitely. When I first started we could only really take in-person classes and seminars, but now you can go online and on Instagram to learn just about anything. There’s much more knowledge and many videos available for tips, tricks, and general (continued) learning. 

Social media has also become a huge factor in the industry. It plays a major role in getting your name out there, both as a salon as well as a hairdresser to build your business and client list. Hailey, for example, has gotten so many new customers from them seeing her Instagram and TikTok posts of her doing hair. 

But balancing all of these things is a lot: running the business and all that that entails, working as a hairdresser, creating content and doing social media, marketing, and being a mom and wife. 

What makes this sector different from other types of businesses?

It’s a very personal, one-on-one, type of business. And every appointment is different. No day is the same.

What’s your favorite thing about the business?

I love my team; they are like a second family to me. Every day is different; nothing is repetitive. I love meeting new people and getting to know my customers on a personal level. I’ve made many great friends, including customers who’ve become friends outside of the salon. Those long-lasting and meaningful relationships mean a lot to me. 

What are some of the challenges you face in the hair business?

COVID was huge. That really threw me for a loop. Between the increased prices of all of our materials and having to navigate that whole “keeping everyone six feet apart” thing – it was a lot. And we’re obviously the type of business that’s performed in close quarters, so it was just a really challenging time. 

Post-COVID though, our challenges are mostly centered around continued price increases of the supplies we use and inflation.

What does a typical day look like?

Our first clients usually come in between 8:30 and 9am. From there, we run appointments every half hour until 5pm or later, often with no lunch breaks. The daily routine, besides doing hair, also includes answering the phones, taking appointments, handling walk-ins, sweeping, doing laundry, cleaning bowls and brushes, talking, talking, talking, and then talking some more. 

Do you have a busy and or slow season?

We are hoppin’ in the summer! May through December is our busy season. Everyone wants to get their hair done for prom, graduations, special occasions, and then obviously for the holidays. We rarely see holes in our schedule this time of year. 

After Christmas it slows down a little bit. Some of our clients head south for the winter months. And most of our clients get their hair done ahead of the holidays and then hunker down for the winter if they don’t head out of town. 

Who are your customers?

They’re primarily from New York and Connecticut. Our clients are split pretty evenly between men and women. And we literally have clients that range from toddlers to seniors.  

What’s the latest hair trend?

I feel like there’s no specific trend that really applies right now to our customers. Again, our clients are men and women ranging in age from toddler and up, and everyone’s got their own style. We help them cultivate their personal style. 

What’s on the horizon for The Hair Lounge?

We’re adding eyelash lift and tinting to our services very soon. We’re pretty excited for this. We’re always working to stay current with the latest industry hair trends and techniques. 

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to someone interested in entering into this profession?

As a hair dresser, you’ve got to be prepared to hustle and be willing to do the work, to take on any client that walks through the door. You’re not just going to get a full book of customers handed to you overnight; you’ve got to work to create that. It takes a lot of commitment, hard work, dedication, and constant learning to be successful in this business. As a hair dresser, you’re basically running your own mini business within another (larger) business. 

As a business owner of a hair salon, you literally have to be prepared to do it all. You’re responsible for keeping the lights on and running every facet of the business. It’s a lot and it’s not necessarily for everyone. And that’s okay.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

I love to golf. I also really love to be at the lake and on the boat with friends and my family. I also try to visit my family in Florida as often as I can. •

To learn more about The Hair Lounge, or to make an appointment, call (518) 592-1167, or find them on Instagram @hairloungebyloren.