COMPANY PROFILE: Vogue Salon and Spa is an upscale salon and spa located in Vacaville California specializing in hair styling, nail and skin care, massage therapy and permanent cosmetics. Other unique services include hair and eyelash extensions and tanning. The spa has a Mediterranean style ambiance. A mixture of dark green and terra cotta wall coverings, chocolate wrought iron mirrors and cherry wood home-type furnishings offer a relaxing, warm and somewhat masculine atmosphere. Danielle Gish was first introduced to the beauty industry, as a little girl, while her mother worked as a cosmetologist. Her entire work history--over 16 years—has been centered on cosmetology. Gish first began her career, as a stylist, at Hair Horizons in Vacaville. She later expanded her talents to include permanent cosmetics.

CHALLENGES: Ms. Gish’s first taste of entrepreneurship began 6½ years ago in a salon where she worked as an independent contractor. The owner of the salon became very ill so Danielle began helping out. She took care of various tasks to ensure the salon continued to run smoothly--almost to the point where she practically managed the business. Sometime later, an opportunity arose for Danielle to start her own business. She located a 6,064 s.f. building to open her own salon. However, she would need financing and a business plan for launching the business.

ACTIONS TAKEN: Danielle heard about a program called the NxLeveL Entrepreneurial Training Program through SBDC client and NxLeveL graduate Tinamarie DeStephans, owner of a dog grooming business called Tails of the City. Ms Gish enrolled in the Solano College Small Business Development Center’s NxLeveL Entrepreneurial Training, a comprehensive 10-week small business training course for existing and start-up business owners who want a structured approach to developing a business plan. At the end of the class, participants have a well developed business plan that they then present to the class. Danielle is one of over 80,000 people who have enrolled and participated in NxLeveL entrepreneurial training programs across the nation. Over 5,000 trainings have been implemented in 47 states, 7 countries, in some 600 communities.

RESULTS: Through her hard work, dedication and self-determination, Danielle’s participation in NxLeveL gave her the edge she needed to transform her vision of business ownership into a reality. Danielle now has a team of 16 independent contractors specializing in hair styling, nail and skin care, massage therapy and permanent cosmetics. Most of Gish’s independent contractors also brought, with them, their own clientele. Customers are a high priority. All of the beauticians, collectively, work together to greet and receive customers. Danielle serves as a “backup” receptionist although there is no exclusive receptionist position. Regardless how busy the spa is, every customer is acknowledged upon entering the premises. Callers reaching the salon by phone are welcomed through a simple telephone greeting system allowing easy access to all beauty specialists.

CLIENT STATEMENT: “The SBDC is great program for anyone wanting to start up a business or even thinking about owning a business. They really care about the success of their students in the way that they follow up with the students even after the course. Sandy is a very knowledgeable teacher and counselor. I recommend the SBDC to everyone who tells me that they are thinking about starting up a business.”

Client:
Vogue Salon and Spa
Danielle Gish, Owner
501 Nut Tree Ct.
Vacaville, California 95687
Ph: (707) 448-2500  ext 10
Email: danigish@sbcglobal.net

SBDC Consultant: Sandy Stelter
Solano College SBDC