Today we’d like to introduce you to Jana Peled.
Hi Jana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Austin in 2014 from Manhattan Beach, California, where I first started doing hair professionally 20 years ago. I built Level 12 Salon’s first location in Lakeway, Texas, in March 2015.
I am married, and I have two sons under the age of ten. When I first got here, my plan was to have another baby and scale back to working part time. When I began looking for a great salon where I could work in Austin, I began seeing the growth potential of this area, and I instantly wanted to be a part of that growth.
I was the first to bring a mobile salon to Austin, something I utilized for house calls (I brought luxury to your doorstep) while I built the space for my first store front in Lakeway. The best advice I received while building my business here was give love to this town and they will love you back. It’s 100% true. Texans are caring, loving, and generous people. I began building my clientele by networking and doing house calls. I had a full schedule before I ever opened my doors. I love getting to know the people in this community.
I donated my first three days in business to the Dress for Success Foundation. I wanted to help women who most needed it, get ready to look presentable for job interviews. I wanted them to feel beautiful to give them the confidence they needed to land a job. It was an incredible experience.
Since opening six years ago, Level 12 Salon’s clientele has grown larger than I ever anticipated. I knew we had to expand. I opened our second location in Bee Cave, Texas, in January 2020. This location is ten minutes away from the first one. I made the right call. This area needed a new, great salon to accommodate their recent growth in population.
I’ve worked many 80-hour weeks. My life has revolved around building these salons, and I know the amazing stylists I found are the back bone of our business.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t think anyone can say opening a business is smooth. If they do, I would love to know their secrets. I am grateful for the lessons I learned along the way. Finding stylists in this area was hard, but I found if you create a great home that’s very supportive and feels like a family, they will come to you.
It was a long and tiresome process. I worked as a stylist for many years for someone else, but now, I get to do the other side of the business as an owner. It is a whole new learning curve. I had to figure out what I should and should not spend money on to be lucrative.
We decided to sell our mobile salon right before the nation went into quarantine. I learned that unlike Californians, Texans would rather come to you, not have you drive to them, and wedding venues have their own well-equipped bridal rooms, so a mobile salon wasn’t needed. Plus, my stylists can double book their clients when people come to the salon (while one client is processing, they can work on a different person), giving them more opportunities to make money.
I still work full time as a stylist, plus being an owner means I continually navigate keeping the peace during any bad situation. It requires professionalism. It’s hard for me to stay balanced with that dynamic, while keeping my focus on being a mother. I wish I could snap my fingers and be turned into Superwoman.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I built two successful salons in six years in Texas. I began my professional career in California where I became known for perfecting the perfect blonde color for any woman! I am an artist. I love being creative when someone hires me for event hairdos or their weddings.
I’m grateful people pay me to do what I love. Creating and maintaining bonds with my clients is so rewarding. I believe some of my success comes from giving great customer service. My clients trust me. I always want them to feel at home when they walk into my salon.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Sometimes the journey is hard, but owning a business and working for yourself is worth it. I choose to see the positives in my hardships. And, never forget clients pay for their feelings, not yours, meaning don’t share your opinions, let them tell you theirs. Choose to always be kind and never be unprofessional. Enjoy the journey! Be grateful for every client and every dollar!
Contact Info:
- Email: jana@level12salon.com
- Website: www.level12salon.com
- Instagram: @level12salon
- Facebook: Level 12 Salon
- Twitter: Level12salon
- Other: @jana_level12
Image Credits
Terrah Jade Photography
