Meet John Boretski of Uptown Salons

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Boretski.

John, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I lease space and equipment to beauty professionals at three locations in Houston and The Woodlands. My background in the 1990’s was as an operations superintendent for chemical processing and oil refining. I invested all my overtime money into residential real estate. My former wife was a hair stylist who wanted to venture out on her own, and in 1999 we decided to become property managers leasing space and equipment to beauty professionals. We tested a small pilot location — three suites and three open floor positions. We discovered immediately the demand was greater than we anticipated,

In 2001 we liquidated the residential real estate and in 2002 we purchased commercial land in Spring. That year, we designed, constructed and opened the first gallery salon on Louetta. At that time it was named Spring Salons, and later I re-branded the name to Uptown Salons Spring. We started with 32 suites to house 40 Associates, and the property was fully leased within less than a year. For the first facility, we pride ourselves that we never had to advertise. All the Associates came to us from referrals.

The demand was so great, in 2004 we designed and built an expansion to that building in Spring. It also leased quickly. Several of the original Associates that leased with us in 1999 are still at Uptown Salons Spring. The reputation of the Salon grew and my reputation as a manager became known in the beauty professional community.

In 2007 I was approached by a group of high-end stylists who encouraged me to open a facility in The Woodlands. Because of the nature of this referral, I knew there was a demand for a premier facility in The Woodlands. An opportunity arose and I was able to purchase land and to design and construct a building that opened in 2009. Again, because of my reputation, suites leased quickly. We had some luck and were able to expand Uptown Salons The Woodlands in 2013. This is how Uptown Salons The Woodlands began. It is now one of the premier Salons in The Woodlands. In 2011 a third location came to life on Westheimer. Again, it is a beautiful place, with very skilled beauty professionals.

Currently, we have over 225 beauty professionals at the three locations.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always bumps in the road in business. It’s not the bumps that matter — it’s what you do about them. The financial markets crashed in 2008 and people thought I was crazy to be building at that time.

One of the challenges was securing the land in The Woodlands, because that’s always a difficult process. Getting all the necessary permits, licenses, and financing took some time. Another challenge was choosing locations with adequate parking.

The demands for utilities and utility convenience at locations like ours are high, because of hot water, hair dryers, other appliances — the list goes on and on. Sometimes it is a challenge meeting all the demands of the different personalities and needs of our Associates.

All of the challenges are what fuels me personally. Every morning I wake up with a different set of goals, and at the end of each day I can know I have had a positive impact on the many people in my buildings. It’s a very fulfilling life.

Please tell us about Uptown Salons.
Uptown Salons has become known as a premier salon in The Woodlands: hair, aesthetics, nails and massage. There is also a wonderful boutique with the latest fashions and jewelry.

When clients enter the Salon, they immediately feel the warm, welcoming, positive environment that we provide. Sue, the manager, will be there to greet them. We offer two coffee bars with snacks. There is often some type of celebration happening. Also, as a whole, we believe in giving back to the community, and that spirit of giving is shared by management and by Associates.

As a property manager specializing in leasing to beauty professionals, I create and maintain a positive and professional environment that nurtures their passions. Each Associate is able to customize their suite to best show off their individual creativity. No two suites are alike. All in all, the location is really quite beautiful.

Uptown Salons is blessed with a superb management team, and always the team is focused on the needs of our Associates and their clients.

However, I also believe that leasing space is not enough, so we provide much more. We provide a nurturing environment for the beauty professionals who have entrusted us to give them a business home. I also mentor the Associates and help them grow their businesses.

Put this all together, and you have locations where the clients want to be. They come to a beautiful place for beauty services provided by highly skilled beauty professionals.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Oh, my goodness, there are so many. The Poconos, outside activities in all four seasons. Traveling every other summer with my parents and siblings. Fourth of July parties, other family get togethers. Motor cycle riding.

I was pretty active and had a lot of fun. As a matter of fact, I’m still that way !!

Contact Info:

• Address: 3099 College Park, The Woodlands, Texas 77384
• Website: uptownsalons.com
• Phone: 936-321-0010
• Email: john@uptownsalons.com
• Instagram: uptownsalonswoodlands
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uptownsalonswoodlands/

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.