Today we’d like to introduce you to Betsy Styles.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I came out of the womb craving “doing hair” It all began with getting baby dolls, getting into my moms makeup, doing pretend haircuts on my dad, constantly brushing his and my moms hair while watching movies. Then they got me my first at home play salon. The i found scissors and cut my own fringe along with my dolls and barbies. School age i would play with my friends’ hair during reading time and get in trouble to keep my hands down. Middle school and high school comes along, with all the extracurricular activities; cheerleading, marching band, softball, where i began to learn how to braid hair. I then started with styling all my friends and sisters and her friends hair for homecoming and prom. There was an opportunity I had to attend a free program in high school to do cosmetology, however, i did not do it, because a mentor of mine talked me OUT of it. After that time i felt lost, like i needed to choose a different path, because the one i chose was stupid. I started to get more into my music career, but started to resent it, enjoyed it as a hobby, but not my career. Took the college classes, dropped out, worked at a good job i was grateful enough to receive right before graduating high school. Stayed there through college classes, began to hit a miserable state, and then i was called for jury duty and was on the trial for 6 weeks. It was the breath of fresh air I needed. Once completed, I toured beauty schools and started at Douglas J just 3 months after being released from jury duty. I stayed working at the job i hated for the following year while i was in school part time. It was an intense time, but it was the best experience I could have done for MYSELF. It was exactly where I needed to be. I quit my job with just a few months remaining of beauty schools. I was ready to take the leap on my career and needed to leap before I had any answers. Within that month, I had received a request to apply for a salon. I got the job, and ended up being there for my first 7 years of my career. Had both of my babies while I was there as well, it was a great start to my career. I used that time to hone into all of my skills, was provided continuing education and when I started to get involved with brands and teaching independent classes, it gave me more confidence to take my next leap of opening my own salon one day. I didn’t have answers, I knew I couldnt stay where I was. I trusted my intuition again, and opened a salon suite for about 6 months, before I transitioned into a booth rental salon in 2019. I was there through the pandemic, and an eye opening injury where I then realized, if I’m going to open my own salon, I need to do it sooner than later, and that was when I got my next sign. The salon next to where I was working wanting to take their steps into retirement, sell their business and eventually the building too. We had about 6 months worth of conversations before I decided to take the step to come start renting space at that Salon, where i would learn many things about the building and space specificially with the previous owners. Before I moved, When Margot, Betsy’s daughter, was just 2 years old, she would ask, “Mommy, can I go to ‘the lon’ with you?” Her sweet mispronunciation of the word “salon” melted our hearts, and when it came time to open our own space, the name was an easy choice.
At the time, Betsy was working as an independent stylist at a Collab Salon, right next door to Maier & Werner. When she made the exciting move to Maier & Werner in November 2021, the idea for The Lon Next Door took shape. It was not only a playful nod to Margot’s adorable words but also a fun way to tell clients about the move to “the salon next door.”
But the name means more than just a cute story. The “next door” part speaks to a deeper sense of community. After all, everyone has a neighbor, and being “the salon next door” reflects the warm, welcoming space we’ve created—a place where everyone feels at home. Here at The Lon Next Door Salon and Spa, we pride ourselves on being that friendly, neighborhood spot where you can relax, feel cared for, and be yourself.
We also have some exciting things up our sleeve for the upcoming year for the extension of our wellness community. We will be expanding in a way we have not seen many people do just yet. I believe it is something that is needed for our industry and extended into our creative arts community of professionals.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t believe many people have smooth roads. Even though we don’t talk about all the bumps along the way, I believe that’s where alot of the resilience and perseverance comes from. Unfortunately, “bad things” or challenging things happen and become learning experiences. We have had a break-in in my first few months of opening, theft, hiring challenges, having to fire those who have been disrespectful or out of alignment with the core values we believe in and will stay strong in, and has allowed us to reevaluate and rebuild a stronger foundation for the future.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I was recently asked, Who is Betsy? And it took me a minute to respond, but I can talk about my career all day. Betsy Styles is someone who is oh so passionate about doing hair, taking care of who is in the chair, allowing for you to be grounded, relaxed, having a sense of restoration in this moment you are allowing yourself to receive.
I have leaned into the holistic approach to the hairstyling craft. I always begin my services with aromatherapy, a chair massage and depending on the service, scalp therapy is encouraged to allow yourself to reset, clear and be able to walk out rejuvenated and refreshed. Scalp care is where your hair growth journey begins. If you don’t have a healthy scalp, your hair goals may not be attainable. I am also known for glitterlites, a form of hair tinsel that is a subtle addition to elevate any look/style. I also have done many give back mommy makeover days throughout the years, at each salon I’ve been at. I am so passionate about giving back to our community. Everybody deserves this form of self care, and I have been doing my part to give back in ways that make sense to me. I actively work on making decisions on how i would want to receive or be treated as well. We always strive for people walking out of our space feeling supported, replenished and ultimately feeling good.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Honestly, I believe everyone is successful in their own ways. My version of success looks like, filling your cup up first. you cannot pour into anybody else unless your cup has been filled. Yes, it’s an ongoing cycle. Success comes in ways of showing up for yourself, showing up for what is most important to you, completing goals, failing to learn a lesson, failing again just to get back up and adapt. Adapting is a big part of success. If you’re unwilling to adapt, i believe that is when people are choosing to continue or surrender. That path can still be successful, if you’re wanting to successful in different parts of your life, you are needing to sacrifice another part of your life. So all in all, success is what you make it. Stick to your intuition, and what feels right to you, follow that feeling.
Pricing:
- Signature Glitterlites $90+
- Manicures start at $56
- Monthly memberships start at $65
- Private events begin at $450
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Tlndgp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelonnextdoor?igsh=MTd4cWdvM2w2b3Fxaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/THELONNEXTDOOR/?
