Who'd have thought--three women jointly own and operate a thriving business, remain close friends, and have a good time at work.
It wasn't so long ago that people told Suzi Wyman, Barb Meirndorf, and Terry Ryan, co-owners of The Ultimate Image & Esthe'tique, they were crazy to try to jointly run a beauty salon. The implication was that women couldn't possibly get along well enough to make a go of it. There must be a lot of naysayers eating their words today. These three have proven that not only could they keep a business alive, but also make it grow. The full-service salon in Haslett Village Square now has 10 stylists, three nail technicians, a massage therapist, and four front desk people keeping things humming along. And the owners are still having fun.
Although the salon caters to a wide spectrum of clients, most are generally 'high energy' people who work full time but find time about once a month to have their hair care needs met and relax in the soothing environment. The Ultimate Image & Esthe'tique is not just a place which caters to women; lots of men and children are also among the salon's patrons. Several of their clients stop by on Saturdays and spend a full day at the salon; many think of it as a sort of refuge from the pressures of daily life.
'It's a place where people feel comfortable and very relaxed,' noted Meirndorf, 'a sort of home away from home.'
The three work hard to ensure an ambience in which clients can escape the fast pace of today's world.
'What we provide is an environment like home, where people are heard, cared for, and their needs are met,' said Ryan. She also noted that clients in the midst of a personal crisis frequently come in and talk.
'We're always seeing people get hugs and kisses,' Meirndorf added. 'We're the cheapest shrinks in town!'
This warm, friendly atmosphere also reflects favorably upon the salon's staff, according to the women. Sometimes, they said, clients just need to vent their feelings about some sort of personal loss.
'Our staff are exposed to a lot of things,' they noted, 'but keep confidences strictly to themselves.'
Wyman, Meirndorf, and Ryan have known each other in one way or another for years. In fact, each had her own hair salon at one time. Wyman founded the original Ultimate Image 13 years ago. She and Meirndorf had gone to beauty school together some years prior and decided to become partners in August of 1989. The two spent an entire year traveling the country, looking for ideas at other salons in an effort to piece together just the right formula for their own business.
At a hair show in Salt Lake City, the two were mesmerized by one of the speakers and decided to visit her salon. There, they found just the right atmosphere--relaxing music, enticing fragrances rather than the smell of permanent wave solutions, and a nice retail area.
Wyman closed her salon and the two added the Esthe'tique--or skin care-portion of the business. They also doubled the shop's size.
Ryan came to the business more recently. She knew Wyman from their work together at another salon in the past, and all three women decided to become partners three years ago. Shortly thereafter the salon was once again expanded, to its current size of 4,000 square feet.
The three attribute their success in part to the fact that they each have great faith in the other's abilities. They readily admit that none would like to run the business alone.
In addition to working as stylists, each has her own area of particular responsibility. Wyman takes care of the bookkeeping, while Reimdorf is responsible for ordering supplies, maintaining contacts with sales representatives, and supervising the decorating and design aspects of the salon. Ryan handles human resources functions such as hiring staff and ensuring that they remain up to date on educational matters.
The partners hold regular management meetings every Wednesday morning at Ryan's home not far from the salon. Over tea and pastries in her sunny kitchen, the trio discuss business issues and each updates the others on business developments within her particular area of responsibility. Twice a year, they also take time out for three- or four-day retreats during which time they visit salons, hold a corporate meeting, set goals, and brainstorm ideas for the future.
'The biggest thing we have going is the three of us,' according to Ryan. 'We have good communication among ourselves, and we're each at a different place at any given time.'
'It's like a marriage--a good one!' added Wyman.
While all agree their foremost interest is taking care of clients, the trio and their staff are also heavily involved in community service and charitable work. In late April, the women presented The Ultimate 1997 Spring Gala Benefit, an annual fund raiser which jointly benefits St. Vincent's Home for Children and Breast Cancer Research at the Comprehensive Breast Health Clinic, MSU College of Wuman Medicine. Several thousand dollars were raised at the black tie optional event held at the Lansing Center.
In February, Wyman, Meirndorf, and Ryan participated with other salons in a Beach Party Cut-a-Thon which raised $2,000 for the cause. Last October they worked with MSU to raise money through the sale of pink ribbons--the universal symbol for breast cancer awareness--at local retailers. That effort generated an additional $1,700 for the MSU program.
The bottom line here is awareness, they said. One stylist was particularly gratified that their efforts paid off in another way--two women she'd been encouraging to get mammograms finally did so after learning of the salon's dedication to helping eradicate breast cancer.
The salon has also co-sponsored the construction of a handicap accessible playground in Williamston, donated salon quality hair products to 900 LPGA volunteers, and sponsored the Lansing Lugnuts.
'That's really what we're about,' said Ryan. 'We're in business to make a living, but also know we can make a difference to our local schools and community.'
