Making the cut as a brand new hair salonStanding out from the crowd
POSTED: January 24, 2010
"Making the cut as a brand new hair salon"
Article Photos
By Jamie West
Journal Staff Writer
MARTINSBURG- The new Family Cuts hair salon on Foxcroft Avenue by the Martinsburg Mall has a few highlights that customers might not find at a typical salon. One of those highlights is its televisions - and lots of them.
The salon has a small flat-panel television in front of all eight client chairs, so customers can watch or discuss their favorite programs with the friendly stylists, or parents can get some help from SpongeBob to soothe children who are startled by the notion of a haircut.
The store also has a big screen just above the children's play area, another feature that owners Arlin and Brandy Kethley incorporated to provide a sense of togetherness and comfort - hence the term "Family" in the business' name.
"The one thing we wanted to do was not be an ordinary hair salon. We want to give our customers the best experience we can give them, " Arlin said.
Televisions aren't the only feature that makes the salon stand out, though.
If anyone noticed a monkey and werewolf lumbering along Foxcroft Avenue last month, consider Family Cuts the guilty source. The shaggy duo held up a sign advertising the business, drawing the attention of many drivers. Arlin said some people even stopped to get pictures with the costumed critters.
"We're all about creating a fun environment for our stylists and a great environment for our customers," Arlin said.
The hair salon, which opened on Dec. 5, was the brainchild of the Kethley's, who originally owned a construction business. After moving to the area two years ago, they wanted to change their business outlook. The pair desired to operate a place that was more involved in customer interaction, so they looked into buying a hair salon franchise.
However, the thought of being limited in their choices to promote their business eventually swayed them into creating a foundation from scratch.
"We just figured we'd go ahead and do something ourselves, to be able to serve our customers the way we want to serve our customers," Arlin said.
With that, Family Cuts was born. The salon currently employs eight experienced stylists: Jenny Philbrick, Annie Smith, Misty Ends, Tara Locke, Debbie Sherman, Jess Dorsey, Angel Bowers and Michele Wilson. Each employee brings between five to 20 years of salon experience, Brandy said.
"We have such a great group of stylists," she said.
Family Cuts is a Paul Mitchell Signature Salon and offers their color products. The salon also has Paul Mitchell educators who come in and train the stylists on the latest techniques of hair cutting and coloring.
The business offers, but is not limited to, natural hair colors.
"If someone wants pink, blue or green hair, they can have pink, blue or green hair. You don't get that anywhere else around town that I know of," Brandy said.
"We are willing to do anything customers want us to do. We can offer things like bridal packages, or if you want to have a Mary Kay party or mom's day out party, we can do any of those things. We are willing to accommodate our customers," she said.
Rates are also competitive, with a general cut and wash costing $14. Kids' (10 and under) cuts are $10, and a general hair color is $45.
The store's hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. The early closing hours and Sunday off is so stylists can enjoy time with their families, Brandy said.
The business plans on getting a Web page up and running soon, which will feature coupons and client testimonials.
Arlin and Brandy both firmly believe in the importance of customer satisfaction. But as they have proven, there doesn't always have to be a traditional method in achieving that.
Not convinced? Just think of the last time a business has used a werewolf, a monkey and a talking yellow sponge with square trousers as marketing tools.
