Your Name: Carole Meier
Business Name: A’vie Longevity Salon, a health and beauty salon
Type of Business: Health & Beauty
Business Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
Website www.avielongevitysalon.com
Twitter @avielongevity
Facebook www.facebook.com/AvieLongevitySalon
Pinterest A’vie Longevity Salon & A’vie Longevity Health
Reason for starting
I was going to lease a small space in a large fitness complex to offer my health coaching and weight management services. As I was preparing for this, the salon owner in the suite next to me was giving up her space. I took over ownership of the two suites, renovated the space and opened a 4000 square foot salon medi-spa. I have 22 associates that work in my business offering health and beauty services. It is a positive, vibrant, healthy, fun environment for the associates, clients and patients.
How do you define success?
I think it is best answered by the fact that when people ask me what I do for “work”, I say I don’t. I just have fun doing what I love to do! I think it is also having a business where 20+ independent associates feel exactly the same way.
Biggest Success
Opening and maintaining a thriving, brand new business in one of the most difficult economic downturns in recent decades.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Learning how to get into the details on learning Quickbooks and the accounting skills needed to know how profitable I am and how to make necessary adjustments to improve the profitability.
Who is your most important role model?
My business mentors. I found a local community service that offers retired business leaders time who volunteer to help new business owners.