Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Boone.
Hi Andrea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I begin my journey in the beauty industry my sophomore year of high school around 2001. I was shampoo assistant while I was exploring the artistry and career options as a make-up artist. There is nothing in the world that compares to the culture of the black salon. This is a place where families gather, small businesses sale products, the evangelist pray, the music can go from old school, hip hop, gospel, or R&B. It’s a true gathering spot our communities. Before I feel in love with hair, I feel in love with the culture.
I begin beauty school December 2003 immediately after graduating from high school May 2003. It was indeed the start of something special. Of course when I graduated I was a stylist that tried to perfect everything cause was the goal was to not turn any money away. I remember starting at my first salon and my boyfriend at the time came and helped me set up and pulled out his sidekick phone and took pictures of me in my booth in the corner. What’s funny is that in the black salon culture all the new stylist got to sit in the back. Is nothing nobody say sits just what it is lol.
After about 5 years of doing everything I found my niche and focused on minimum chemical usage. I was now that girl that could get your hair straight like a relaxer but with just 3 tools in my arsenal a hair steamer, blow dryer, and flat iron. I was taken in by Robin Groover and I watched her like a hawk. I watched how she engaged with customers, hired stylist, severed our team, and built on different brands through the years.
I opened my first salon in 2013 at the age of 26. I named that salon after my mother Beverly. The Beverly Salon in Hapeville, Ga one of the first of its kind. We attracted some of the most influential people in the Tri- Cities area and the ones that didn’t live near they made the drive. I became a salon owner and chose the Southside of ATL because I knew that was where I could make the most impact. As I mentioned before the black salon culture plays a lot on the experience. The black salon experience has taken a bad wrap over the years and I wanted to begin to raise the bar. We prayed together, grieved together, sung together, laughed together, ate together, cried together, and grew together. It was beautiful 9 years in Hapeville, GA.
Covid caused a shift in all our lives and I decided to close but begin again. I opened something new in East Point, Ga. Harmony Hair Lounge is the most selfish move I have made as a creative entrepreneur. I needed new energy and I wanted it to be a place where I could be one on one with my clients. I had more to pour into them and they have without a doubt poured into me. This space has all the vibes. It has beautiful brick wall and loft size windows, wicker chairs, filled with plants, and essentials oil in the air. Harmony is the balance of your hair care needs and wants. I believe this is where client retention lies. The client and stylist relationship must be balanced with communication about the end result. I have help on to clients for years because of this. Being in a salon suite takes away the distractions of comparison, amongst women. It’s just me and my clients focused on one goal which is hair care. Plus they get to brag to their friends about not being in the salon for hours and reverse experience of what the black salon is known for.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has absolutely been a smooth road. It has been unpredictable at times because I didn’t see the curves of the road up ahead but once I got up close it was smooth.
Letting the light of my heart shine to the open road, it is purposely guiding me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Behind the chair I specialize in texture versatility. It is absolutely my pleasure in helping black women identify and embrace the magic of their texture. It is my super power to have women out of the salon in less than 75 minutes.
My number one service is Ceramic Fusion (silk press) and my number two service is Custom Color Blend and when those two or booked together its Magic.
As a salon owner I specialize in influencing the culture of the black salon experience.
I have housed very talented stylist with specialties, hired a DJ for the weekend, invited small businesses to sale their merchandise, hosted open mic, popped bottles to celebrate clients who have started new jobs, stop to pray for a women cutting all her hair off as a result of chemotherapy, and rented out the salon to a traveling minister.
I say all that to say we need community, so we uplift the community.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Everyone needs a mentor. I have different mentors for different phases of my business. Ask questions, show up, and sometimes you got to pay to be in the room. I often by VIP tickets to events because I know I will exclusive access to people and a different experience.
Contact Info:
- Email: hairandmakeupbyandrea@gmail.com
- Website: yourhaircareharmony.com
- Instagram: @hairandymakeup or @harmonyhairloungeatl
