When Salon St. Charles owner Shanel Carson and her husband had to leave home because his job at a New Orleans hotel was swallowed up by Hurricane Katrina flood waters, the couple clung to their cherished memories as they headed to Texas to start anew.
After they scrabbled for footing, he landed a job as a masseuse in the Austin area and Carson plied her trade as a hair stylist at a local salon.
Feeling fortunate but unsure of what the future would bring, she relied on her upbringing to steady her.
As a young girl growing up in Slidell, La., she had been enamored with fashion and style and enjoyed dressing in makeup. This interest burgeoned into competing in beauty pageants and attending clothing shows.
Carson cited her parents as her source of inspiration.
“I learned everything from both my parents – to be responsible and dedicated to what I do, enjoy it and have fun doing it,” she said.
As she grew older, Carson learned styling at her mother’s salon and attended John Jay Beauty College.
This experience served her well, as did her warm Southern personality, in building her clientele.
She did not know it at the time, but Carson had been building her business before learning that the Lakeway salon would be closing 18 months ago,
Karma finally smiled on her when the owners of Natural Bio Health in the Office Center at Lakeway, who had been her clients, unexpectedly offered her a space at their business for a salon of her own.
“I was very thankful and grateful,” Carson said of the offer from those she considers family.
As the owner, she created a salon space that would remind her of home and at the same time relax customers in a quiet, private setting.
“I would hope they feel comfortable and peaceful,” Carson said. “They get our undivided attention.”
Clients can expect more than just a haircut at Salon St. Charles.
Carson and hair stylist-makeup artist Margie Wesley combine to offer the latest in coloring, straightening and conditioning as well as color corrections, razor and texture haircuts and perms.
They also welcome special occasions such as wedding parties or prom groups and rent out the salon for special appointments.
Both stylists know what’s en vogue by attending hair shows and hitting college campuses. Wesley enjoys going to airports to study styles from across the globe.
“You can learn so much by watching people,” Wesley said.
“There’s always something new. You can never know everything,” Carson said.
These new trends inspire them to try new styles.
“We definitely like to do the edgy techniques if the clients allow us to,” Carson said.
But both stylists say that no matter the cut, whether it’s traditional or avant garde, customer satisfaction is critical.
“Even if our clients aren’t into the latest fashions, as long as they leave here happy, that’s what is important to me,” Carson said.
Based on their actions, customers have been more than pleased with their work. They have supported the business through word of mouth, an instrumental underpinning for a location that is hard to find by Carson’s own admission.
“All of my clients are my main support. They send me tons of referrals,” she said.
Flexibility is another key to the salon’s success. The appointment-only business is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but depends on working with customers to find a time that suits their needs.
“We’re here whenever a client needs us,” Carson said.
The pair also works in tandem to bring in new clients by promoting the salon in the community through Bible studies, school functions and business parties.
“We’re not sitting here waiting for the phone to ring,” Wesley said.
Some of their hairstyles were featured on models at Mad About Shoes fashion shows. It also doesn’t hurt to have a prom queen and beauty pageant contestants serving as walking advertisements.
“Our work speaks for itself,” Wesley said.
It would be easy for a salon to focus only on couture, but both Carson and Wesley strive to meet other needs in the community.
The salon donates gift certificates and cuts to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and low-income families.
“To see the poverty [in the Lakeway area] just hurts,” said Wesley who recently donated haircuts to three children whose college-educated father is unemployed.
This connection with customers is what motivates Carson who is no stranger to setbacks.
“I’m really close to all my clients,” she said.
Evidence that she has picked up the pieces to build a place she can call home.
For information or to schedule an appointment, call 266-9791 or visit salonstcharles.com. The salon is at 211 RR 620, Suite 120, in Lakeway.