Leaders of Local Salon Talk Business Approach, Ownership Transition
Writer / Renee Larr
Photographer / Mariah Krafft
Salon Eclipse is a staple in Zionsville. Sherry Paul opened the salon in 1990. She sold the salon to her daughter Melissa King in January after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Im battling breast cancer for the second time, Paul says. All along, I planned to sell it to Melissa because shes worked here for me all these years. I was at the age where I was starting to think about retirement. The second cancer diagnosis pushed me into thinking we need to get this done quickly.
The mother-daughter duo says their salon is different because of the relationships all 10 stylists share.
We all get along so well, King says. My mom, my cousin Nicole and I all work there. We also have two sisters who work for us.
There is also a low stylist turnover rate at Salon Eclipse.
Erika, Breana, Sidny and myself have never worked anywhere else, King says. Sometimes you see stylists that move around from salon to salon. We dont have that here.
The team of 10 loves to spend time with each other outside of the salon.
Over the years Ive thrown many baby showers, Paul says. We have one stylist getting married soon, and well all be at the wedding. We all hang out and do things together. We love to go to training together. Were all terrific friends, which is rare.
King is excited to take over the family business.
Its been great, but I will say I was hesitant at first because I saw how hard my mom worked, King says. Im lucky to have the previous experience working here because thats helped with the transition. If there is something I dont know, I can just ask my mom.
The salon staff members were able to survive the pandemic by pivoting their business approach.
It was hard not being able to work for eight weeks, King says. We changed up our system. We started doing online ordering, and every Saturday clients could come by and pick up their products.
One change King has already implemented is having made the salon and its products more eco-friendly.
I recently brought on a new product line called Davines, King says. Its zero emission, sustainable and eco-friendly. Its a family-owned company out of Italy. I felt like the fact that they are family owned and all natural was a good representation of our brand and our company.
Paul has a long road ahead with her cancer treatment, but she doesnt mind sharing her journey with others.
The breast cancer has metastasized and spread to my bones, Paul says. Im on chemotherapy drugs and have scans done to see how the medicine is working. So far its keeping it from growing. As a hairstylist people tell you everything, and you tell them everything, so Im pretty open about it.
Salon Eclipse is located at 1482 West Oak Street in Zionsville. Clients can call the salon at 317-873-0399 to book an appointment, or visit saloneclipsezville.com.
