For beauty professionals looking to build their brand while owning their own business, Phenix Salon Suites is here to make those entrepreneurial dreams come true.
The nationally franchised, locally owned Phenix Salon Suites took root with four South Jersey and two Pennsylvania locales when husband-and-wife team Antonella and Paul DeFalco opened their first location in 2016. Since then, the DeFalcos have been singularly dedicated to helping hairstylists, aestheticians, nail techs, massage therapists, permanent makeup artists, certified injectable professionals and “really anyone with a cosmetology license or other beauty business owners” take control of their future.
“We empower beauty professionals to achieve their dream of owning their own business without the usual hurdles that they may encounter with opening up a traditional brick-and-mortar storefront: They are officially running their own standalone, independent business,” Antonella begins. “We provide spaces that are geared specifically towards salon and beauty professionals—some people refer to our locations as almost like a mall of beauty services—with suites that are private and allow suite owners to focus on their craft. The decision to join Phenix is a lifestyle decision, a choice for more time with their family.”
Each of those suites runs like the individual, fully licensed businesses they are, right on down to owners decorating their roomy, private spaces however they like. Beyond the immediate benefit of managing their respective salons in whatever way best suits them—including having complete control over not only their hours of operation but also their vacation time—there are a number of additional advantages that become apparent once someone sets up shop at Phenix.
“People truly make their suites their own—when you go into that space, it is truly a reflection of that person. It’s their full brand and they’re bringing it to life,” says Antonella. “For most of the people who come over, they’re employees in a salon who made the decision to become salon owners but we do have salon owners who chose to come over to ‘the suite life.’ They tell us that they prefer their suite because they don’t want to clean toilets, they don’t want to wash towels or clean hair traps, they don’t want to worry when something breaks, and they have access to a safe, beautiful location that provides the luxury that their clients love. People who used to own large salons tell me they’re making more money, they no longer have to worry about employees, and they get to take off when they want, so they get to spend more time with their families.”
The DeFalcos go above and beyond to supplement a host of provided amenities with the attentive care they extend to their salon owners, several of whom have been with the couple since the opening of their first salon. In addition to providing spa towels, maintenance support, maintaining the common areas, utilities, Wi-Fi access, and even maternity leave and health care options, the couple also makes sure to be present, ready to address any needs that arise and ensures that each location is lovingly tended to.
Antonella and Paul endeavor to build a sense of community among the suite owners in their care, allowing them to focus on building their books of clients, strengthening their brands, finding the work/life balance that’s right for them and, most importantly, focusing on delivering the jaw-dropping results that keep their clients coming back. Between frequent visits to their six Phenix locations and offering value-add business classes, Antonella proudly notes that many salon owners “call us Mom and Dad.”
“Paul and I provide guidance, mentorship and ongoing support so that they have a partner in their journey for a successful business,” she says. “I have training programs that focus a lot on the business side. They already have the training in their crafts, but what most people don’t have direct access to is training on the business side. I make myself available as a mentor, I provide training, and we help them from day one: We provide them step-by-step instructions on how to create their LLC and how to do their shop application so they don’t have to do any of this alone.”
With suite space still available—interested parties can find out more at PhenixBeauty.com—the DeFalcos are always happy to take new owners under their wing so they can start making their ownership dreams come true in ways they’ve never imagined.
“They always say they love the freedom,” Antonella affirms. “And there’s a sense of community and support that they receive both from their neighboring suitemates and from Paul and I, who are always just a phone call away. They never feel like they’re on their own, they have Paul and Antonella on their side.”
Phenix Salon Suites
Cherry Hill, Cinnaminson, Deptford & Moorestown
(484) 430-1820
PhenixBeauty.com
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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 21, Issue 7 (October 2024)
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