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Article:

Hands On, October 2004

Risky Business

David Kafer and Jason Hall own the "Best New Salon" in Chicago, according to the August 2004 issue of Chicago magazine.

In just two years, they've grown their cozy yet hip downtown RED 7 SALON from two stylists to eight and garnered praise from both media and clients.

"The number-one biggest factor in our growth has been referrals," says Kafer. "A woman recently came to me and said she chased another woman for three blocks because she loved her hair and wanted to find out who did it."

Finding Balance
Kafer, who has an extensive hair design and education background from big-name salons like Vidal Sasson, Marianne Strokirk and Tiffani Kim Institute, didn't really get the ownership bug until his life partner Hall, who had just been laid off from a job in the tech industry, proposed the idea of opening their own salon.

Kafer didn't take much convincing, but the loan companies were a different story.

"We started to look for lenders, but they thought the salon industry was a high risk, so we had a hard time," says Kafer. "We ended up selling our house to put that money toward our business, and we got a small loan. Ever since, it's been incredible."

Beyond financing, one of the biggest challenges of ownership for Kafer and Hall has been finding a balance between their work and personal lives.

"Initially it was difficult, but the key for us has been allowing each other to do what we're good at," says Kafer. "I'm the hairdresser and educator. Jason is an amazing management and marketing guy.

"We also try not to discuss work at home. And we drive separately to work. It gives us each an extra half hour to be alone and take time for ourselves."

Social Issues
Despite realizing the importance of alone time, Kafer and Hall have built a strong following by promoting a sense of togetherness and community. They are involved in a number of charity projects including Bottomless Closet, which provides makeover and professional clothing for women seeking employment. For clients, they have a book club and a dinner club that meet in the salon, and they also regularly hold events like bowling nights and art shows. Salon events are promoted through a quarterly e-mail newsletter.

"Loving in a big city, a lot of people don't have a lot of close friends or activities," says Kafer. "So we've taken the salon back to its roots by making it a community and social center."

Kafer says that even the clients who don't participate in the salon's social events still experience the special touches during the services.

"We spray our towels with lavender water before draping the client before their shampoo," says Kafer. "We give each client a complimentary hand massage. Our salon is decorated with flower boxes in the windows and warm, homey colors and antiques, instead of the stark modern decor you see in many city salons. We have warm cinnamon coffee every day and big bowls of candy throughout the salon. Plus, we make sure everyone on our staff is incredibly nice. Our clients really dig it."

210 W. Kinzie St. 2nd Floor, Chicago IL 60610
Tel: 312.644.RED7 (7337)
Web: www.RED7SALON.com E-mail: info@RED7SALON.com