Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Bassano.
Hi Heather, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always had a passion for the arts – music, theater, painting, drawing, video production. I was accepted into my top choice college, the University of Miami, as a Motion Pictures major. As a creative, I didn’t feel a part of the academic community and my defiance bucked at the system of the traditional four-year university. I moved back to my hometown of Naples, Florida, and tried every type of job I could find. I worked for a restaurant, an event production team with a floral designer, I studied web and graphic design and eventually got a job as a front desk coordinator in a hair salon. That is where I fell in love with my craft. Not only did I find that hair can be a medium of art, but I learned how hairstylists could uniquely connect with their clientele on a personal level and make them feel so beautiful, cared for, and loved. My boss at the time instructed us to love on our clients and welcome them as if they were family visiting our home. The salon environment allows for physical touch and he explained that many of our clients may only receive a hug when they come through our doors once a month. On these principles I got my license in cosmetology, perfected my craft, and eventually opened my own salon suite. That attitude of defiance I experienced in adolescence was able to be channeled into an entrepreneurial spirit. In that space, I could create that atmosphere of love and light and ensure my clients felt important from booking to check-out. That energy soon radiated into the community and I was growing faster than I could keep up with. That is how Manuka Salon was born – attracted a team of stylists with the same values to give our guests the best ultimate experience of combined technical skill and loving connection.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a creative has its pros and cons. While it has allowed me to think outside the box and be a business owner, I have also struggled with depression and alcoholism in my past. In my early twenties, I didn’t know how to treat my depression and leaned on alcohol to numb those feelings. I spent less time with my artistic passion and isolated and drank to cope with those feelings of loneliness. I knew I was too young and had too much potential to keep going on that path of self-destruction. I was able to get help and maintain abstinence from alcohol since 2017. I found a community in recovery who taught me that the opposite of addiction is connection. I learned to meditate and channel in an energy of love and light and ask that it be shined out through the day to everyone I touch. I set my intention daily to have a of service to my clients, my team of stylist, my loved ones, and community and to be able to help as many people as I can along the way. This purpose I have found has fueled my life and business and has enabled me to live in a way that I do not struggle anymore, no matter how much stress is involved in owning a business I have faith that as long as I live by these principals, everything will be ok.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our team specializes in custom blonding services and hair extensions but what sets us apart is our energy. There tends to be a negative connotation of drama in hair salons and that is not something we experience at Manuka Salon. Our main objective is to create that energy of love and light, as mentioned. Our foundation is a positive, kind, caring atmosphere where clients can feel relaxed, comfortable, and cared for the entire service. We believe that energy can be felt – you know when you walk into a room and there is tension, but you can also feel connection when someone says something and you get goosebumps, or when you have a deep conversation with a friend and feel the love for that person rise in your heart. I read our reviews and some say “I love my hair” or “talented stylists” but most say “staff is friendly and fun”, “warm and welcoming”, “uplifting atmosphere”. That is what we are most proud of. Many stylists can do great job and have excellent technical skills. But we go above and beyond to make sure you feel heard, understood, and comfortable. How often do we feel that in our daily relationships, jobs, or community? You can find that at Manuka Salon.
How do you define success?
Success to me is standing by your core values and principals and seeing others flourish because of them. Giving my team a space to create and truly take care of them lights me up. Giving my clients a space to relax and feel cared for fills my heart. Shining love and light and being of service to my community is my passion. I have created a space that promotes women empowerment – my team knows there is no non-compete to sign and if they ever want to pursue their dream of opening their salon, I will support them and offer business coaching to help them achieve it. We also host pop-up events on Saturdays for local women-owned small businesses. I have extended my space to stylists from other salons after they suffered damages from Hurricane Ian. I truly believe that success is sharing it with others. When you have firm values and principals you aren’t threatened by others and can support and encourage what others may call “competition”. I have a steadfast faith that if you have a passion for your craft and a heart of service, you cannot fail at whatever dream you have, no matter how big.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.manukasalon.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/manuka.salon?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManukaSalon
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@manukahonies?_t=8ZBdPT0c1Xv&_r=1
Image Credits
Katie Brawley
