New Herndon Hair Salon Enjoys Positive Feedback From Clients

HERNDON, VA — Starting off small in the business world can be a good thing in the age of COVID-19. The founders of Hive Hair Loft in Herndon are finding that offering a one-on-one experience in their new hair studio is reassuring to customers concerned about the coronavirus.

As other businesses continue to struggle due to the pandemic, Kristina Wolfe and Madison Hornsby, long-time hair stylists in the Herndon area, decided the time was right to start up their own hair salon business at the beginning of March.

Wolfe and Hornsby believed their studio, where only one customer is allowed at a time, would be attractive to clients. And with the light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel growing brighter as the vaccination rate grows, they thought their business had a strong chance to take off by the end of summer and fall.

So far, the pair of former hair stylists at Maude Salon in Herndon have been able to lure about 70 percent of their old clients to the new location a few blocks away at 384 Elden Street.

“I think our clients like it even more,” Wolfe told Patch. “They get us one on one for the entire visit.”

Wolfe and Hornsby are renting a studio inside Cirque Salon Studios in Herndon. Unlike a mall, Cirque Salon Studios does not have random people walking around the building, given that most of the businesses require appointments.

“It’s very COVID-friendly,” Wolfe said. “We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from our clients enjoying the one-on-one experience.”

Hive Hair Loft offers face coverings to clients who may forget to bring one. Many of their clients are either fully vaccinated or have received the first shot. “So, I think it’s only going to get better from here” as more people get vaccinated, Wolfe said.

With the small size of the studio space, Wolfe and Hornsby do not work at the same time. Wolfe has the studio from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday, and Hornsby works there from Sunday through Wednesday morning.

“We don’t double-book,” Hornsby said.

Wolfe and Hornsby picked a shopping area, anchored by Mom's Organic Market and Sprouts Farmer's Market, that features plenty of free parking. The pair, good friends for many years, hope to eventually have their own storefront when their business becomes more established.

For the time being, the current studio is working perfectly for them. Clients appreciate not having other people around as they get their hair styled.

Wolfe, with 17 years of professional hair-styling experience, and Hornsby, a professional hair stylist for 14 years, had been thinking about opening their own salon for a couple years.

They had been saving money to start up the new business for years and did not require a loan or investors to launch Hive Hair Loft. "We didn't let fear get in the way of starting the business," they said.

Wolfe and Hornsby, who did not have extensive business experience, have a large network of friends and colleagues who helped them find an accountant, select the best booking system to use for hair appointments and offer other business advice.

"Just dive in," Hornsby said as a recommendation for people who have always wanted to start their own small business. "It’s been such a game-changer."

Hive Hair Loft is located 384 Elden Street, Suite 108 in Herndon. Visits are by appointment-only. Check out their website to book an appointment with Wolfe or Hornsby.

Along with styling hair, Hive Hair Loft sells a variety of hair products, including Aluram, Earth Harbor and Keune products for men.