When Miranda Fenley took over The Loft Salon in 2014, she revamped and relaunched the business, hoping to reach new clients.
With a new logo and unique hair care products, Fenley did just that.
Tucked away on the second floor of an old downtown Moscow building, The Loft is a second home to Fenley and employee Kaitlan Brown.
Fenley said their business has only grown since opening. On their busiest days, Brown said each stylist might meet with more than 14 clients.
Many of those clients, Fenley said, find The Loft through social media. Much of their styling can be found on Brown’s Instagram, showcasing their clients and their new look.
“Kaitlan just brings in so much business by posting the things we do,” Fenley said. “People will show one of us exactly what they want and we work off that.”
Having lived in Moscow for 20 years, Fenley said the area is the perfect place to run her own business. But, even with perfect conditions for a salon, Fenley said it was a daunting task to embark on her own business venture.
“Even though we’ve been at this for a while, you always have that small fear of failure,” Brown said.
Brown said creating connections is key in keeping clients for long periods of time.
“It used to worry me that clients wouldn’t follow me from salon to salon, but we have such a strong base now,” Brown said.
With three children of her own, Fenley said the family feel, especially in a small town like Moscow, is present in her salon.
“We see a lot of clients in this busy of a college town,” Fenley said. “You get sort of attached to the heads in your chair, and that means a lot to us here.”
The salon’s quaint setting and calm aesthetic means Fenley and Brown get the chance to connect with their clients more than a stylist and a client would in a larger, louder salon, Kaitlan said.
“We know all their life stories,” Brown said. “It’s important they feel good about their hair and hopefully feel a little better about their day.”
With a vast client base and a strong knack for making personal connections, Fenley said many of their clients have grown up with her cutting their hair.
“We really push building these sorts of relationships with our clients,” Fenley said. “One minute, you’re doing their first haircut and then next you’re styling their hair for prom or a wedding.”
A mom, business owner and stylist, Fenley said flexibility is key in making sure every client visits and leaves the salon happy.
With such a busy schedule, Fenley said she often racks up long hours in order to accommodate every client needing a cut or style.
“She works pretty long into the night,” Brown said.
Fenley said although the salon is often booked full with their dedicated clients, the experience possible clients will get is worth the wait.
“We love new clients and getting the chance to build those relationships with them,” Fenley said. “Quality is worth waiting for.”
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected]