By: Janice Malone
NASHVILLE, TN–At the John Lane Studio their motto is – “Be Transformed.” The trendy salon has been doing just that, by transforming the hair care and beauty needs of their clients for exactly one year. The salon is owned by African-American business women: Iris Johnson and Theressa Lane (sisters) and mom Shirlyn Johnson, who considers herself to be a silent partner of sorts. Iris is the salon manager; Shirlyn is a CPA with 20-plus years of experience, while Theressa’s role is the master stylist and an official Paul Mitchell educator.
The ladies have pooled their individual talents to assemble a multi-talented team of six stylists that offer clients a variety of specialty services. “Our guests save valuable time by taking advantage of our full range of services,” says Iris. “With hair, nails, make up, facials, and threading all under one roof, why go anywhere else?” In addition to providing hair and beauty services for the everyday working client, the John Lane Studio has worked with some of Nashville’s leading models, Titan cheerleaders, wives of the Tennessee Titans, and local music recording stars.
But the John Lane Studio offers more than just beauty and style services. In one year’s time the salon has become very active in various events throughout the community. Christmas 2012, the salon collected over 25 pounds of food which was donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Earlier this year, the salon donated services to the Nashville Humane Association’s annual fundraiser. Services have also been donated to the Lydia Society. Plans are to do even more community service work during the holiday season. Here, both Iris and Theressa share more insight about the creation of their new salon:
TRIBUNE: Whose idea was it to open up a hair salon with so many specialty services?
IRIS: “My sister used to do my hair when I was a little girl, and has been doing hair professionally for 15 years. She’s always wanted to have her own salon and I’ve always wanted to have my own business, so we just combined our dreams and launched the salon together.”
THERESSA: “That’s right. I studied cosmetology while I was still in high school. I guess hair and beauty is in my DNA. I have a family member who’s a hairstylist and I recall going to the beauty salon along with my grandmother as a child too. I later started doing hair for family and friends. That’s when I realized that I had a gift and a talent for cosmetology. I am so blessed to be able to make a career out of something that I love doing so much. I’ve never had any other job, except doing hair and the profession has been very good to me.”
TRIBUNE: There are many hair salons in Nashville. What makes the John Lane Studio different or unique than others?
IRIS: “We offer our clients an amazing customer service experience. The salon tries to make the ordinary extraordinary. We offer the little things that make their visit awesome such as: mini spa facials, hand and arm massages and more. Our customers work hard, so when they come to the salon we try to make it an atmosphere to where they can relax while getting transformed.”
TRIBUNE: Does your salon help men look their best too?
THERESSA: “Yes, we do. We have plenty of male clients. We make sure that we also go the extra step for the guys too. We try to give men that little extra touch that they may not get at the traditional barber shop, and so far they really love it. Some of those extras include scalp massages, facials and other services. And we service clients of all ethnicities and hair types.”
TRIBUNE: Does the salon offer eyebrow threading to help keep those unruly brows in order.
IRIS: “Yes, our expert is originally from the country of Kazakhstan. She learned the brow threading technique when she was a little girl in her native country. She’s is one of the best brow threaders in the business. She actually does hair removal over the entire face. Customers are really asking for the service too.”
TRIBUNE: Theressa you’re a Paul Mitchell educator. What exactly does that involve?
THERESSA: “A few years ago a friend opened up a Paul Mitchell School here in Nashville. They invited me to come in to learn to become an educator. I just love teaching texture, style and finish techniques at the various schools within the region. Here at the John Lane Studio we specialize in hair coloring and extensions as well. I love working with all of it. I wanted to provide stylists with an opportunity to showcase and develop their skills and talents. The salon provides training twice a month. Not only do stylists work behind the chair, they’ve done hair and makeup for music videos, photo shoots, and weddings.”
TRIBUNE: I understand that you guys made an impression among many of the college students>
THERESSA: “At the beginning of success at the beginning of the school year we visited the campuses of Belmont, Meharry and Vanderbilt. A lot of college students are new in town and don’t have a salon home, so to speak. So we passed out our cards, did meet and greet with the students, and let them know that our salon is here in town for them. During TSU’s homecoming festivities we also plan to get involved with many of their activities as well.”
For more information about The John Lane Studio Salon visit: www.johnlanestudio.com