Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Carroll.
Hi Christina , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been doing what I love for over 27 years. At the beginning of my career, I truly enjoyed cutting and sculpting hair, and now, I enjoy creating fun, natural colors to complement my client’s lifestyles and desires. I love building relationships with people so that I can better serve them. Out of cosmetology school, I worked with the best in the hair industry in Greenville, SC, Wilson of Wilson on Washington Salon, who molded and mentored me into the stylist I am today. What he taught me I pass on to my assistants to this day. A few years later, the idea popped into my head that it would be cool to have my own salon. I always felt like I would own my own salon, but I knew it would be decades later as I had a lot to learn. In 2014 Renew Salon was created. We celebrate our 11th year as a Salon this month.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The spirit spoke to me in 2012 and told me it was time to open my salon. I prayed about it. My father-in-law told me soon after that he had a house available for rent that was currently a salon that I passed every day when I went to work. That was my sign. I opened Renew in 2014. It was a salon with six stylists, a cute little house with a cozy vibe. During construction, we all gathered and prayed over the structure and asked the Lord to bless each customer that walked through the door. Five years later, we added the boutique. I noticed that most of my customers wanted to know where I got my dress, earrings, handbags, etc. people liked my style, and I wanted to share my fashion knowledge with my clients. It’s been a challenge to dress my body type, and other women have shared with me that they struggle with what to wear that is flattering to their shape. When you know what others struggle with, you can help them where they are and pick out clothing you know will enhance a women’s God-given beauty. The obstacles came when we wanted to expand and we purchased the house next door. The renovation process of the “new” Renew was one that taught us patience. In 2023 we moved into our new space which is right next door to the old salon.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We are more than a Salon. We are a place to be Renew. Four years later, we outgrew the six- chair salon and moved into a new house beside the original location. We have twelve chairs for our stylists and have expanded the boutique to include more gift items, like coffee, hats, purses, and more. We exclusively carry French Kande, Hobo Handbags, Amahle Design jewelry, Gigi Pip hats, Ada belts, local artists selling handmade items in our community and Wallaroo brand hats. We love supporting local community, for example Methodical Coffee is brewed in our salon for all customers. We toured their facility located in Travelers Rest, about 20 minutes from us and got to see their coffee bean processes. Renew is a mentoring teaching salon, and we believe in working as a team and collaborating.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Recently, we took a risk and became electronic by booking online and adopting a new booking system called Meevo. We no long book appointments and clients information on paper. That was a risk that has paid off. We also take risks by hiring students just out of cosmetology school or students that are currently in school. We love pouring into the next generation of hair stylists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://renewboutiqueorder.wixsite.com/renew
- Instagram: @renewsalonofgreersc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renewsalonofgreersc
