Today we’d like to introduce you to Hanh Nguyen
Hi Hanh, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Salon Avenue was founded by the dynamic duo of Hanh Nguyen, who brings her strong business background to run the day-to-day operations, and Denise Longoria, a seasoned stylist with over 20 years of experience working behind the chair. With their combined knowledge and expertise, they have successfully grown the business and worked hand in hand for more than 14 years. The primary goal of establishing Salon Avenue was to offer exceptional experiences to our community and the surrounding neighborhoods, provided by talented artists in the area, eliminating the need for clients to travel into Houston for top-quality treatments.
Furthermore, we wanted to create an upscale salon environment where hair artists could work, learn, and grow freely, nurturing their creativity and skills. Lastly, our mission is to change the industry image from “hairdresser” to “hair artist,” as we believe that the level of talent, dedication, and artistry demonstrated by our professionals deserves greater appreciation and recognition.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Opening and running Salon Avenue has not been without its challenges. One of the primary struggles we faced was finding amazing stylists who are truly passionate about the beauty industry. Another challenge has been being mindful of our clients with the increased cost of inventory and trying not to pass it on to them, while also dealing with the rising costs of rent and overhead.
We have always wanted to make sure our team is paid what they are worth, and there were times when Denise and I didn’t get a paycheck for months because we needed to ensure our team was taken care of. In October 2020, we made the decision to purchase land and build from the ground up. This was extremely hard to start construction during the COVID crisis, as we struggled with the cost and availability of materials, crews sick from COVID, and even now, we still don’t have permanent power from TNMP and are running our business off a natural gas generator. The project ended up taking much longer than expected.
All these struggles have been tough and hard as small business owners trying to continue to stay open during this time. We had to close our current location of 12 years and move the salon into a storage unit, renting 5 chairs at another salon for our team to be able to continue to work. Despite the challenges, these important life moments have shaped us and brought us to where we are today, stronger and more resilient than ever. We have been blessed with support from our team for believing in us and the amazing clients that picked up and moved from one salon to another. These moments have shown us the true strength and loyalty of our salon family, and we are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Welcome to Salon Avenue, a premier beauty destination located in League City, just 20 minutes south of Houston, serving the surrounding areas of Friendswood, Clear Lake, Victory Lakes, Bay Colony, Dickinson, Santa Fe, and Texas City. Established in 2010 by industry leaders Hanh Nguyen and Denise Longoria, our salon provides an exceptional experience for our clients in blonding, hair extensions, coloring, cutting, skin treatments, and waxing within a modern and trendy atmosphere. Our passionate team is committed to delivering unparalleled customer service, keeping you updated with the latest fashion trends while utilizing luxury brands like Oribe, Davines, Goldwell, Redken, and Brazilian Blowout for an extensive range of offerings, including babylights, hand-tied wefts, highlights, balayage, facials, waxing, lash lifts, and smoothing treatments.
What truly sets Salon Avenue apart is our amazing, talented, dedicated, and hard-working team. We wouldn’t be where we are today without them, and we have been blessed through the years with an incredible salon family. What makes us different and unique is our unwavering passion for the beauty industry, which drives us to maintain the highest level of professionalism in every aspect of our work. Our team operates as a cohesive unit, fostering a collaborative environment that allows us to deliver exceptional results for our clients.
We distinguish ourselves by staying at the forefront of the ever-evolving fashion and hair trends through continuous education and training. This commitment to ongoing learning ensures that we are always equipped with the latest techniques and skills to provide our clients with cutting-edge styles and treatments, setting us apart from other salons in the area.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Opening and running Salon Avenue has not been without its challenges. One of the primary struggles we faced was finding amazing stylists who are truly passionate about the beauty industry. Another challenge has been being mindful of our clients with the increased cost of inventory and trying not to pass it on to them, while also dealing with the rising costs of rent and overhead.
We have always wanted to make sure our team is paid what they are worth, and there were times when Denise and I didn’t get a paycheck for months because we needed to ensure our team was taken care of. In October 2020, we made the decision to purchase land and build from the ground up. This was extremely hard to start construction during the COVID crisis, as we struggled with the cost and availability of materials, crews sick from COVID, and even now, we still don’t have permanent power from TNMP and are running our business off a natural gas generator. The project ended up taking much longer than expected.
All these struggles have been tough and hard as small business owners trying to continue to stay open during this time. We had to close our current location of 12 years and move the salon into a storage unit, renting 5 chairs at another salon for our team to be able to continue to work. Despite the challenges, these important life moments have shaped us and brought us to where we are today, stronger and more resilient than ever. We have been blessed with support from our team for believing in us and the amazing clients that picked up and moved from one salon to another. These moments have shown us the true strength and loyalty of our salon family, and we are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.salonavenuehtx.com
- Instagram: salonavenuehtx
- Facebook: salonavenuehtx
- Yelp: salon avenue htx
