In a funky setting decked out in hot pink, zebra prints and feathered boas, the crew at Salon Pink chat about everything from MTV to the proper pedicure while washing, cutting and dying. Feisty and forward-thinking, the new salon has plans to shape many of Longview?s best ?dos, while redefining pink as we know it.
Charm sat down with Ricia Hulsey, wife, mother and co-owner of Salon Pink, who told us a little about herself, as well as what it?s like to run a fun new downtown boutique.
Q: How long have you wanted to be a stylist?
A: "Since I can remember! I grew up the youngest of three girls, and in high school I really knew that I wanted to be a stylist for the rest of my life. After I graduated from Henderson I went straight to Kilgore College where I attended beauty school."
Q: How did you meet your business partner?
A: "Sheri Vargas and I met when I first started working in the salon business. She owned a salon in Longview and I worked for her for about four years. I'd say she was my mentor, as far as hair goes. She really inspired me to do what I love."
Q: Why did you choose downtown as your location for your salon?
A: "Ya know, I just really love the downtown atmosphere. Some of these old buildings are just so amazing and have such character. I think the whole downtown area is awesome-looking."
Q: How did you get your salon to look so hip?
A: "It took three months to completely transform this spot into our own. It used to be an antique furniture store. Can you imagine? It looked nothing like this when we got here. It's about 7,500 square feet, so we hired an interior designer to come over from Kilgore to help us. She knew my favorite colors - pink and black - and she knew the kind of vision we had. We totally trusted her, and it looks great."
Q: You have such interesting decor. Which pieces are your favorites?
A: "I love the look of the whole place. The guitars we chromed out with spray paint, the hanging car hood features the 'cast' of Salon Pink with everyone's picture and signature. I love our vintage 1960's ottoman - it's originally from Chicago. And, of course, our awesome chandeliers give it a cool, feminine touch."
Q: What trends do you follow, hair-wise?
A: "Whatever's hot! We don't watch a certain celebrity, but instead keep up with whoever's in the Hollywood spotlight at the time. Right now I love to 'posh it out.' The posh bob - a cute, angled cut - is my favorite cut right now."
Q: How do you like co-owning your own business?
A: "Owning my own place is nice because I have so much freedom to come and go, and I love setting my own hours. No one's telling me what to do or how to do it. I'm a Leo, so I'm naturally a bossy girl."
Q: What's your favorite thing about your job?
A: "I love that I make people feel good about themselves and how they look. I help people feel pretty about themselves. What I do is a creative, fun way of helping people feel better about themselves."
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you have with you?
A: "I'd have to have a mirror, my blowdryer and definitely some hairspray. There's electricity on this island, right?"
