Who is Phenix Salon Suites?
Gina Rivera, the Founder of Phenix Salon Suites comes from a family that has been in the beauty industry since 1929. There are currently over 25 hairstylists and barbers in her immediate family. Gina proudly says she grew up sweeping hair from the floors of her parent’s salon, where she developed a deep affection for the industry. She began styling hair at a very young age and attended beauty school at the age of 17. She developed a passion for both the business side and the artistic side of the industry and always knew this would be her life.
Based on her learnings behind the chair, Gina realized not all salons are created equal and a majority of booth renters are provided very little support to ensure their success. With a passion for the industry, Gina became a fierce advocate for supporting the goals of Lifestyle Professionals who had the desire to operate their own salons but perhaps lacked the financial resources. Gina realized that she had the opportunity to redefine the options available for sole proprietors in the beauty industry. With this, Phenix Salon Suites was born, establishing a new experience and opportunity for Lifestyle Professionals to own and operate a business at a fraction of the cost of traditional salon settings.
Gina, and her husband Jason, faced struggle early when Phenix Salon Suites was just starting out. In 2012, the economy had taken a hit. It was a time that they really had to challenge themselves to face their fears and develop new strategies for taking the company to the next level. During the recession, Gina and Jason remained focused on their goals of expansion and development, identifying items where they could reduce spending while still growing the company. “I had to be very creative in terms of marketing and allocating resources wisely. It required me to get past many fears involving strategic risks. I became more determined than ever that I could push myself, and the company, through adversity. Eventually, the economy bounced back and my approach paid off,” she adds.
