Five new “salon-trepeneurs” are getting their start in an Aurora-based hub for salon businesses.
Salon City, located in the No Frill’s Plaza on Yonge Street, has the original concept of renting suites to salon entrepreneurs setting up their own businesses.
Nicole Rosen, co-owner of Salon City, said the operation has grown from two tenants at opening in July 2023 to a “supportive community” of 15 small businesses now.
“They’re all very supportive of each other because they’re all in the same boat,” said Rosen.
The suites vary in size and layout but start around $300 a week, with Rosen saying they offer a flexible opportunity for those starting their businesses, adding owners within the space routinely refer clients to each other’s businesses.
Addia Mintah, 29, said she enjoys working alongside several other “salon-trepreneurs.” After working several years at another laser and skincare clinic, she decided to open her own business called Goddess Skin Lounge.
“I spent all of COVID(-19) waiting for the right time, but then I just decided there probably won’t be a good time, I just bet on myself and went all in,” she said. “If I was waiting for the economy to work with me, I’d probably be waiting for years."
Amy Fang, 35, owner of Awkward Duckling Tattoos, worked as a microblading artist for several years, but was drawn to tattooing as she said it’s more creative, adding she felt it fit her personality.
However, a common path into the industry is through unpaid apprenticeships, which was not feasible for Fang, who has children.
“At 30-something, it’s too late to do an unpaid apprenticeship,” she said, adding Salon City was a good option for her.
Fang’s long-term goal is to set up her own tattoo-focused business, similar to Salon City, to help other early-career tattoo artists get their start.
Rosen said the goal is to grow and diversify the businesses in Salon City, with an eye on other specialists like a nutritionist.
In all, the opening of five new businesses was marked on Monday, Oct. 28, with House of Manes, Esthetics By Helany, Skin Essentials by Tania, Awkward Duckling Tattoos, and Goddess Skin Lounge all opening up at Salon City, located at 14800 Yonge St.
