Episode 9: Hustle Smarter, Not Harder: Building a Sustainable Salon Business

Salon After Hours

In this episode of Salon After Hours, we are joined today by Veronica “Roni” Cabrera, hairstylist and owner of Sage+Oak Salon in Pleasanton, California.

Roni began her journey in 2011 in the Modesto area and, after beauty school, moved to the Bay Area to pursue her career. Starting from scratch, she went straight into booth rental, working multiple jobs to pay her bills. In less than a year, she built a full clientele through word of mouth, long before the rise of social media.

Her secret? Roni believes in the power of exceptional customer service—making clients feel valued and appreciated, which leads to loyalty and referrals.

In this episode, we’re discussing:

• Building Clientele: Roni shares how she built a full book of clients twice in under a year—first in the Central Valley and later in the Bay Area—through exceptional customer service and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Hustle Mindset: Her early days were marked by relentless dedication, taking walk-ins at all hours and working multiple jobs to support her dream.
• Importance of Education: Regularly attending industry events and networking helped Roni refine her skills and connect with peers across the country.
• Salon Culture: She emphasizes creating an environment where stylists feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow without competition overshadowing collaboration.
• Business Insights: Roni advises starting small, having a solid business plan, and fostering healthy competition to drive personal and professional growth.
• The Power of Connection: Building relationships with clients and peers is key to long-term success in the beauty industry.
• Navigating Challenges: From building her salon to fostering a team-oriented culture, Roni shares how to face the ups and downs of salon ownership.

Connect with Roni & Sage+Oak Salon on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ronihairstylist/

https://www.instagram.com/sageandoak.salon/

Connect with Us!

◦ Website: https://ninetwofivesalon.com/

◦ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninetwofivesalon/

◦ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ninetwofivesalon

◦ BriAnna: https://www.instagram.com/cosmobrianna/

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