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Although she claims her life hasn’t always been so hectic, 2010 was quite a busy year for Jessica Schone.
In May, the hair stylist of six years signed a lease for the space that would soon be her own salon. In June, she gave birth to her son, Rio. By August, after only one week to prepare, the salon was open for business.
“I just felt like it was a year of new beginnings,” she said. “Honestly, I feel like I love what I do so much that it just came easy.”
Schone said business has been great so far for The Loft, East Peoria’s newest salon. Located at 115 E. Washington St., the name of the business is a nod to the 130-year-old building’s historic essence.
“I wanted the name to be something short and sweet and memorable,” Schone said.
While she heard a few comments from friends and family about the timing of the new venture, Schone said opening her own salon is something she has always wanted to do.
“I feel like it’s a dream of every girl who goes to beauty school,” she said. “I had worked at a couple different places during the six years I’ve been doing hair. When I was pregnant with Rio, I was just kind of at a point where I was ready to move on.”
The Loft’s homey decor with hints of rustic charm was chosen by Schone, but the work necessary to open a salon just one week after acquiring the space was not completed alone.
“The business that was here was moving their stuff out as we were moving our stuff in,” Schone said. “It was a lot of long hours, hard work and wonderful friends.
“Family and friends really supported the business. They supported the idea of it. They wanted the best for me and the girls who work here. And it was fun — it was crazy.”
According to Schone, The Loft has a family-friendly atmosphere. Clients have told her that they feel comfortable and relaxed at The Loft.
Services offered at the salon include hair coloring, cutting, up do’s, straightening, perms, extensions, full-body waxing, facials and body wraps.
“I feel like God just kind of opened a door and brought everybody who works here together,” she said. “We have a great group of girls and everybody gets along.”
Although she claims her life hasn’t always been so hectic, 2010 was quite a busy year for Jessica Schone.
In May, the hair stylist of six years signed a lease for the space that would soon be her own salon. In June, she gave birth to her son, Rio. By August, after only one week to prepare, the salon was open for business.
“I just felt like it was a year of new beginnings,” she said. “Honestly, I feel like I love what I do so much that it just came easy.”
Schone said business has been great so far for The Loft, East Peoria’s newest salon. Located at 115 E. Washington St., the name of the business is a nod to the 130-year-old building’s historic essence.
“I wanted the name to be something short and sweet and memorable,” Schone said.
While she heard a few comments from friends and family about the timing of the new venture, Schone said opening her own salon is something she has always wanted to do.
“I feel like it’s a dream of every girl who goes to beauty school,” she said. “I had worked at a couple different places during the six years I’ve been doing hair. When I was pregnant with Rio, I was just kind of at a point where I was ready to move on.”
The Loft’s homey decor with hints of rustic charm was chosen by Schone, but the work necessary to open a salon just one week after acquiring the space was not completed alone.
“The business that was here was moving their stuff out as we were moving our stuff in,” Schone said. “It was a lot of long hours, hard work and wonderful friends.
“Family and friends really supported the business. They supported the idea of it. They wanted the best for me and the girls who work here. And it was fun — it was crazy.”
According to Schone, The Loft has a family-friendly atmosphere. Clients have told her that they feel comfortable and relaxed at The Loft.
Services offered at the salon include hair coloring, cutting, up do’s, straightening, perms, extensions, full-body waxing, facials and body wraps.
“I feel like God just kind of opened a door and brought everybody who works here together,” she said. “We have a great group of girls and everybody gets along.”
Schone added that it is not only the staff that makes her job rewarding.
“I love coming here,” Schone said. “I do not feel like I’m coming to work at all. The girls who work here, the clients, everybody who comes here — they’re our friends.”
Cynthia Brown, a hair stylist of five years, said she likes having the opportunity to educate her clients.
“I have really, really awesome clients and getting to teach them about hair care and what to do is great,” Brown said. “It’s second nature to me, but by being able to show clients what to do, I feel like I’m kind of making a difference.”
“It’s just very rewarding to make people over and see how excited they are when they leave,” Jen Martin, a hair stylist for 10 years, said.
Schone agreed.
“We just love making people feel good about themselves,” she added. “When people leave, we just hope that they leave feeling good about themselves, feeling good about their appearance and knowing how to redo it at home.”
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 698-3171.
