Community Highlights: Meet Chelsea Ausland & April Webster of Harvey House Salon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Ausland & April Webster.  

Hi Chelsea & April, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My partner, April Webster, and I met in 2016 at a suite/booth rental salon and spa as independent renters. She has been a licensed stylist for over 20 years as well as a national educator with Pureology. I have been a licensed paramedical esthetician and makeup artist for 14 years and have won multiple international awards for corrective skin transformations. 

In 2017 we were informed that the salon we were renting space at was going to be sold. We immediately had the intuition to look into purchasing it together. After much consideration we found ourselves looking for the right opportunity, as opposed to the “right now” opportunity. This search led us to stumble upon the perfect space to launch our new venture, which is now known as the Harvey House Salon. We opened our doors in October of 2018. The Harvey House Salon resides in a 120-year-old mansion that much resembles the exterior of the White House. It has character, charm, and grandiosity that demands attention. But what happens inside of the attractive exterior is even more profound. We are home to a team of extraordinary ladies that make our salon and spa what it is today. 

Before April and I met as rental/independent professionals we started our career paths as commission employees. When we began creating the Harvey House Salon, we agreed that culture was everything. We both had a passion to elevate the image and livelihoods of beauty professionals. This is why we offer a commission employee structure over being a rental space. The support of the structure and a team allows our girls to thrive and make well above the average income for a beauty professional. 

Other pivotal aspects of our culture include sustainability, earth friendliness, cruelty-free and overall high quality, and healthy/clean beauty. The brands we partner with are committed to upholding these values. 

We are able to create thriving careers for our team through high-quality products and an abundance of continued education. 

At the backbone of our salon and spa is our partnership with one another. We couldn’t have created a business that continues to grow without the support of each other. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
One of our favorite quotes is, “what got you where you are today isn’t what’s going to take you where you want to go in the future”. 

April and I understood early on that we didn’t know what we didn’t know. We have worked with a business mentor since we opened to help us find our footing in our new roles as business owners. 

We’ve had to learn to embrace our new responsibilities over the last four years, and not without stumbling. I started as an esthetician, April as a stylist, and now we are mentors, leaders, administrators and so much more. 

Building a team and helping them to grow and thrive has been one of the most difficult challenges. Being committed to your employees is a heavy responsibility that comes with great pressure to continually show up for them in big ways. 

When the pandemic came, we were forced to shut down like so many businesses. It was frightening during those times of uncertainty, wondering how it would affect our business in the long run or if we would ever open our doors again. 

For the most part, we have continued to count our blessings over the last four years, as there have been many. Our team has gained multiple certifications. Our salon and staff have won many awards for their impeccable talents. Our revenue continues to grow despite the pandemic challenges. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Harvey House Salon is based in a 120-year-old, restored mansion. We are located halfway between Chicago and Detroit. We are a full-service salon and spa offering a wide range of services in four main categories: hair, skin, beauty, and wellness. 

Hair: cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, corrective. 

Skin: transformative & corrective facial treatments for all skin conditions. Full body waxing 

Beauty: makeup, sunless tanning, eyelashes, brows, nails, lessons. 

Wellness: Body wraps, treatments, Massage, guasha, cupping, hot stone, aromatherapy. 

Our specialty focus is on hair and skin care. We are home to the Lake Michigan lakeshore premier bridal hair and makeup team. We have won “Best of Weddings” on The Knot for the last two years which puts us in the top 5% of the nation for best professional hair and makeup styling. 

Our mission: 

“At Harvey House Salon we are committed to being leaders in the beauty industry. We provide quality products and services with integrity consistent with our brand and four pillars: Hair, Skin, Beauty, and Wellness. 

We accept the responsibility of giving back to the community, protecting the environment, and supporting humanity and diversity. 

We are driven to cultivate an environment rich in education and opportunity. 

We strive to grow beauty professionals into thriving, talented, established artists that can deliver with passion and confidence.” 

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Secure a business coach immediately. A coach will help you to set up systems for your business which is the backbone of a smooth-running operation. Work with retail partners that can supply you with additional services that better serve your salon. Don’t be afraid to surrender to new ideas, you’ll need to be open to growing your mindset in order to embrace all of the new people and experiences that are coming your way! Ask for help when something isn’t working because you don’t know what you don’t know. Remember that thoughts and feelings are not facts. When emotions are high, intelligence is low. When you own a business, you’ll have a lot of emotion tied to it. Learn to wait to react until you can untangle your emotions from a scenario. Lastly, be sure to get very clear on your goals and vision so you know where you’re going. Reevaluate your goals often so that you’re holding yourself accountable. Your business needs you to show up and goal setting is one of the best ways to hone in on how you arrive. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveyhousesalon/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/harveyhousesalon

Image Credits
Deming Photography
Amy Deming