Mill Creek Journal – 8/1/2006
Elle Marie Hair Studio opens in Mill Creek
By: Staff, Journal Newspapers
Elle Marie Hair Studio is a brand new business coming to Mill Creek. Mother daughter owners Colleen Buck and Lorry Green are excited to serve the men, women and children of Mill Creek in their full-service hair and facial waxing studio at 180th and Bothell-Everett Highway.
“We really want to accommodate the Mill Creek community,” Lorry said. “Everything we do is within the community.” The studio has large windows, a stylish color scheme and has been described as classy, urban and comfortable in a dynamic environment. Amenities include heated massage shampoo chairs, coffee, tea and lemon water, free Wi-Fi, a 42-inch TV screen behind the reception counter playing hair and fashion shows, top-of-the-line tools and Redken hair care products.
“A lot of salons are cookie-cutter,” Colleen said. “We’re trying to take it to the next level.”
“I’m pretty confident that people will notice a difference,” Lorry added.
Elle Marie will offer the expertise and service of a high-end salon but at competitive prices in a friendly setting. Haircuts start at $29 for women and everyone is entitled to a free consultation.
Elle Marie came about when, after five years in the industry, Lorry wanted to open her own studio. She had worked in both a large corporate salon and a small boutique salon, and those experiences helped her decide how she wanted to run her own business when the time came.
Lorry’s mother Colleen has 30 years of corporate experience that will help as she oversees the business side of the studio. She and Lorry attended Summit Salon Business College in Tampa, Florida to learn management and financial tools to get off on the right foot. Only five percent of salons are profitable and they didn’t want to fall into the 95 percent that are not.
“I can’t imagine trying to open up this salon without that training,” Colleen said.
Lorry wanted to treat her employees as a team and emphasize education. Her focus has been on bringing in the right team to support the business goals, but also to provide a career. Her staff is goal-oriented, outgoing and fun, characteristics that will benefit clients as well.
“I’m excited and proud to have gotten to this point in five years,” Lorry said. “I’ve learned a lot and I take great pride in what I do. I’m excited to share that with my staff and pass on that education to the clients.”
Lorry’s own long-time clients are excited about her new business as well.
“My guests have grown with me,” she said. “Everyone has contributed to getting us here. My clients feel like they played a part, and they have.”
A grand opening celebration is schedule for Aug. 25, though the studio actually opens for business the first week of August. The grand opening will feature music, appetizers and wine, free hair consultations and door prizes. As members of the Mill Creek Business Association Elle Marie supports other local merchants and will include food, drinks and prizes from local businesses.
Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Elle Marie Hair Studio is located at 17917 Bothell-Everett Highway #102 next door to Tony’s Pea Patch. Call (425) 402-1900, visit www.ellemariehairstudio.com or e-mail info@ellemariehairstudio.com for more information.