Salon owner Linda Echols focuses on quality customer service
A business born from the ashes of another business, Phoenix Hair Salon and Spa is home to owner Linda Echols, local NFIB Leadership Council member. She hires trainees for her Montgomery, Alabama, salon from the nearby community college, making an impact on the community. As a grandmother and business owner, Echols seeks to provide salon and spa services her customers can rely on.
The history of Phoenix Hair Salon and Spa is one of hope and creativity. When the previous salon, named Image Makers, was completely destroyed by a fire, Echols leapt into action to create Phoenix.
“I always wanted to own my own business,” she says. “I was in the business for a while when an opportunity arose for me to buy a business and that’s why I did.”
With a focus on the customer and quality service, Phoenix has 24 salon and spa professionals. To Echols, some of the greatest advantages of owning her own business are being in the driver’s seat when it comes to picking her employees, setting her own schedule and having the responsibility to create her own business culture.
“You have control over who you work with,” says Echols. “And [you have] control over your aspirations and the things you want to achieve. You have more control over your possibilities.”
She also notes that offering employees flexibility makes her proud to be a small business owner.
“There are single parents who need flexibility,” she says.
Echols is committed to creating a positive and high-quality experience in her salon for her customers.
When asked what is the best part of her day, Echols confidently responds, “seeing my clients leave happy.”
“I think we have a lot of respect in the community. They know what to expect from us and they know we are always trying to improve our quality of service.”
With the success of the salon, Echols says she one day hopes to achieve her dream of opening a non-profit beauty school to continue teaching quality salon and spa services.
When she’s not in the salon working with her clients, Echols has an active life.
“I play tennis and work with children,” she says. “I just love to spend time with my grandchildren.”
As a NFIB Leadership Council member, Echols is proud to promote other small businesses to partner with NFIB. Being able to network with other small business owners and push for small business has been a great success as a member.
