The women behind the popular Society Beauty Lounge on South Main Street are celebrating five years of success this year.
Owners Bre Gimby and Ashley Lauren say they’ve grown thanks to their business over the years.
Society Beauty Lounge opened in 2021 in Phillipsburg with the goal of providing inclusive and professional beauty services for everyone.
“It’s like an exclusive club, and once you’re with us, you’re committed to being healthy,” Lauren said.
What makes Society Beauty Lounge unique is Gimby and Lauren’s approach to business.
Gimby and Lauren are trained professionals who often refer their clients to other local businesses.
“Referrals allow us to ensure that our customers’ needs will be met with services that meet our standards, and that’s what gives us confidence,” said Lauren. Customers may come back when the time comes, but Gimby and Lauren’s approach helps ensure that the dollars keep coming.
Lauren and Gimby, lifelong friends, are both 2013 Phillipsburg High School graduates who received their technical training at the same time.
They worked for several years in the beauty industry before starting their own business.
Gimby graduated from Artic Academy, in Morris Plains, while Lauren received her certification from Metro Beauty Academy in Macungie. But nothing compares to working for yourself and “making a name for yourself,” they said.
Since opening their name has spread far and wide in the city of Phillipsburg.
Their clients drive from New York City and Philadelphia to get their scheduled services in a safe and quiet environment because “it feels good to be in a good environment with other women,” Lauren said.
“It’s a great feeling to create the kind of store we’ve always wanted,” he said.
Despite the negative perception, the Black women’s business at 120 S. Main St. equipped for all types of hairstyles and styles, offers hair treatments, colors, cuts and more, as well as makeup services for parties and weddings.
“It should be a requirement for anyone holding a beauty school certificate to be able to do all kinds of hair and makeup,” said Lauren.
For the past five years, the owners have been on their own, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, including opening during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Naturally, we were put down by a lot of people because of our time and our friendship,” says Lauren. “And between the two of us, we had our doubts about it and we kind of gave up, but we stuck to our guns and got to know each other.”
“I’ll take a responsible and honest business partner over anything,” Gimby added.
And from the beginning, they insisted on opening their store on South Main Street.
They said that they were initially disappointed by the inventory that was available at the time and the views of property owners who wanted to see their business plans and financial statements but refused requests to renew the property with the necessary parts.
When they finally settled at 120 S. Main St. they found a land that was “perfect-to-aT” for the employees of the Association and its customers.
With the help of their husbands, family and friends, and the building’s owners, the former thrift store was transformed “to make the place look new,” they said.
In total, they invested “not more than $ 15,000” – without the help of grants or loans.
“Everything we needed we were able to find someone within our network to make it work,” said Lauren.
Gimby said: “I’ve become more grateful for our business over the years.
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