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| Like many young girls, Kelly Bishop learned that you can’t give a Barbie doll bangs. From that early age she knew she wanted to be a hairstylist. Today, she is the owner of Kellizio Hair and Nail Spa on Jersey Ridge Road in Davenport. I think it is a comfortable and stylish haven from the traffic and noise of 53rd Avenue. The salon has nine stylists including Kelly. It offers complete hair and nail services, scalp massages, facial waxing, and makeup applications. Kelly’s mother did not approve at first of Kelly’s hairstyling ambitions. “She knew I was smart and focused and she wanted me to reach for something more,” Kelly says. She initially turned her attention to drafting and architecture and earned a pharmacy technician license. But Kelly later realized that her first love was still the best career choice for her. She enrolled at Capri College, and now has been cutting and styling hair for 18 years. Kelly has worked the gamut of salons, from corporate to private, small, large, elegant, and simple. She has also taught classes at Capri. During those early years, she says she observed what works and what does not in the world of hairstyling. She began to believe that she could create a salon that would be different. In 2007, she founded Kellizio. The name of the salon comes from Kelly’s name: “Kelly with a little zing behind it!” As a business owner and hairstylist, Kelly does a little bit of everything. She is in the salon seven days a week, often putting in over 12 hours a day. In addition to meeting with her clients, Kelly takes care of ordering supplies, hiring new stylists, paying the bills, and cleaning the salon. She is in charge of marketing, advertising, and Web site development. She delegates to her assistant or other staff members when possible. Kelly says she credits her ability to communicate effectively and directly, but not harshly, to her success at keeping things running smoothly. Kelly has strong expectations for her salon, her employees, and herself. Her exacting standards and passion flow over to her staff and keep guests coming back, she comments. Kelly is often told that Kellizio is the cleanest salon in town. There is also a good mix of personalities among the staff. “With 10 of us in a really small space, it is nice that we all get along so well,” Kelly says. “We don’t get on each other’s nerves. We don’t bicker or backstab. In the hair industry that’s worth a million bucks.” The stylists share the same work ethic and work together to make a good name for the salon, she adds. Small touches and attention to detail set Kellizio apart, Kelly says. A client who walks in the door is greeted by Michael, the salon coordinator, who takes coats and offers a beverage to each customer. Buoyant music and a beautiful interior design put clients at ease. I found the atmosphere to be both pleasant and relaxing. Kelly aims for a “contemporary yet comfortable” environment. She knows she is succeeding when customers enter Kellizio and comment about how it feels good to be there. “We care about making you feel good,” Kelly says. “There is a salon on every corner. We have to think of ways that we can make it more warm, more comfortable, more easy to be here.” According to Kelly it is the little things, such as remembering a client’s favorite drink, or who likes a little extra French vanilla creamer in their coffee, or what is going on in a customer’s life, that make a big impression. Kelly employs innovative marketing to bring new clients in the door. She has a Web site and Facebook page, but most new business comes through referrals from satisfied customers. She gives discounts to people who refer friends, and she posts specials online. If an emergency appointment is needed, call or check the Facebook page for last-minute cancellations. During the holiday season, clients who brought in a donation for Toys for Tots received a free service. Kelly was born and raised in Rock Island, and her dedication to the local community is evident. At the reception desk, miniature gourmet cupcakes are offered. These are provided by a local bakery that Kellizio teams with. Kelly wants to put her learning experiences to use by helping other business owners achieve success, she shares. Kelly believes that hard work, passion, and consistency enable people to do amazing things. Kelly and her stylists educate their clientele about hair care and which hair styles work on different individuals, as well as why a proposed style may not work. “If you hair is a different texture or your face is a different shape than the model, it will not look the same,” she explains. Sometimes a client does not realize the amount of work that may be needed to maintain a style. If you are looking for a new stylist, Kelly encourages you to take advantage of a free consultation to find the right stylist. Get a feel for the salon, she advises. See how the stylist communicates with you, and it will become evident whether or not the stylist knows what she is talking about. During her rare time off, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and friends. She likes to surround herself with positive people who are in a good place in their lives because that’s where she feels she is. Kelly is most grateful to her husband who helped get the business off the ground by supporting her dream and building custom furniture for the salon. “Kellizio would never have happened without him,” stresses Kelly. Brian Ouderkirk has been a client at Kellizio for about four months after being referred by a friend. “Hands-down the best service I have had so far,” he says. “The attention to detail is excellent.” Brian says he was especially impressed by how Kelly remembered his name after just a couple of visits, even though she is not his stylist. “You are not treated like a number there,” he says. “That sends me home with a smile on my face.” Although Kelly’s mother passed away shortly after Kellizio opened, Kelly is grateful that she was able to see the success of Kellizio. “She was so proud,” she remembers. “I hope she still is.” Kellizio Hair and Nail Spa is located at 5515 Jersey Ridge Road in Davenport. The salon can be reached at 563-359-7200 and online at www.kellizio.com. |
Kellizio Hair |
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