Salon Ruelle: Kith and Kin Interview
Name of Company: Salon Ruelle
Name of Owner: Ria St. Pierre
Location, website, email, phone: 79 Lower Main Street, Morrisville, www.salonruelle.com and www.haircreationsetc.com, ria@salonruelle.com, (802) 888-5933
Description of your business/work? We strive for a different atmosphere than most salons, where everyone is treated like family. We are real people, with real lives, and exceptional skill that we want to put to work for you. With honesty, integrity and accountability, you will leave you and send you home feeling your best. Positive vibes, positive life!
How long have you been in business? 9 years
How did you move to Morristown? When I lived in Maui, my family and I we decided we really wanted to move to a place to put down some roots. We put out feelers in the east and west coasts and that relocated us here. Later, I bought Hair Creations which has been in Morrisville for 30 years and slowly cultivated my own following. Most recently, I moved the business to Main Street and changed the name.
What do you like best about Morristown? I really like the new generation of involved community members. It seems to be really jiving with the town’s mission of being a little bit more progressive. It seems like everyone has very similar goals for their families and the town. It’s a positive place, there’s a lot of happy people who live here. A lot of real and happy people who live here.
What new business would you like to see move to town? I’d really like to see more retail on Main Street. And we desperately need espresso.
What is on your wish list for the next five years of your business/career? I’d really like to start integrating BYOB or “Bring Your Own Blow Dryer” classes. Each class will be themed differently and you can bring your own tools if you want but we’ll teach you how to achieve your own styles at home. And I’d also like to get more involved in the community.
Personal background: I was born at home in rural Bird Creek, AK in a log house my parents built. I moved to Maui in 1980 to go to cosmetology school where I lived for six years before I moved to Vermont. I have three kids and live in Johnson.
What was your first job? Washing dishes at a café in Bird Creek, AK.
What was your most fun job? I really like what I do now. When I was in cosmetology school I worked for the nanny connection in Maui, HI. I basically got to play with kids on vacation all day. And I got to see really interesting places all over the island which was very eye opening.
Favorite quote? “Be your own kind of beautiful.”
If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would it be and why? The musician Amos Lee.
What book did you read last? Honeymoon in Paris
Wild card? What else might people need to know? We really strive to be as green as possible and use as many naturally derived products as possible. We recycle everything we can. Instead of plastic bowls to mix color, we use all ceramic color bowls made by local artists. We like to support as many local businesses by bartering.
