La Cañada’s Newest Hair Salon Opens Monday

Rod Rave is reinventing himself – to the benefit, he hopes, of La Cañadans.

The longtime business executive and former La Crescenta resident has left the corporate world and dived head first into the hair business with the opening of his first salon, .

Of course, the 39-year-old follicly-challenged entrepreneur will be the first to tell you salons are not about hair.

“This is a reprieve,’’ he said, sweeping his hand past the comfy couches, shampoo bowls and loft-like open space.

“Salons aren’t a business, they’re a lifestyle,’’ Rave said.

The newest La Cañada salon will celebrate its grand opening at 11 a.m. Monday with  the . For the month of June, the salon is offering 20 percent off any of their services.

Perhaps the first question that comes to mind about opening a hair salon in a city with 16 others is, why?

“There are great stylists every where, but a lot of salons forget that people want to be catered to,’’ he said, adding that customer service is the number one thing lacking in salons today.

“I want to make sure you’re comfortable. If you like strawberries and apple cider, I’ll put that in your profile and we’ll have that for you when you come back,’’ he said.

New to the Salon Biz

Rave, of Sylmar, attended Crescenta Valley High School but graduated from a performing arts magnet school in Hollywood. Until April, he worked as a business management executive for Empire CLS, a transportation company, where he’d been for nine years.

During this time Rave started Rave Diva Darlings, a company that produces girls parties. At clients’ homes or other venues, Rave’s team will doll up the girls: hair, makeup, extensions. From this company, and contacts in the field of fashion, he found himself inextricably linked to the salon world – and he thought he could make some improvements.

For one, he wanted to be more environmentally conscious. So his salon uses a variety of green products, including a chemical-free process for the Brazilian blowout. Stylists use a variety of brands, including Matrix, Biolage and Paul Mitchell. They also have Moroccanoil. 

Rave wanted his customers to feel comfortable in the salon’s space – but if folks can’t make it into the salon, Rave’s stylists – he’s got four currently but plans to have up to six eventually – will go to a client’s home or any venue he or she needs. It’s an excellent service for elderly women, for example,  who want their weekly wash and set, but have difficulty getting around.

“We have a few of those clients now, and those ladies love getting their hair done regularly,’’ he said.

A Stagnant Economy

Despite small and large businesses failing at a quick clip in this economy, Rave remains confident. The 39-year-old gave up good money in the corporate world, but isn’t daunted.

“This is a new beginning for me; to go back to doing things that are more fulfilling,’’ he said, noting,  “You realize as you get older you don’t need more, you need less.’’