Hidden Gems: Meet Leah Wells of Oomph Salon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Wells.

Hi Leah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Seven years ago, the salon I was working at closed its doors. I had to find a new home for me to do hair. I noticed there was a lack of quality commission salons. I have had Multiple Sclerosis for 23 years. I knew at some point I would no longer be able to work behind the chair. So the combination of needing a back up plan, and the need for a stable salon for high-quality stylists to work….the process of Building Oomph Salon began. It took me a year to build from the start of the idea to the doors opening. Our doors closed for two months during quarantine. The stress of owning a business during that time created my MS to unfortunately tail spin. When we reopened May 18th between my MS and the salon exploding at the seams, I was forced to no longer do hair and my job 100% was to be the owner of the salon and lead my team. It’s been a big change but I’m enjoying the new direction.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Recently the challenges have been remaining professional and taking the high road when being attacked for business choices I am making to keep my salon safe through covid. It’s been eye opening for sure. I can laugh about it, but it has never been smooth. My salon equipment was in a warehouse fire two weeks before opening the doors, lol. I think my biggest challenge was learning to establish a culture I wanted for my team and business and staying strong with it. Finding my dream team of employees who fit that culture took a long time. But I was successful and my salon is exactly what I wanted it to be when I had the initial drive to open it. I’m definitely a much stronger and confident business owner today than I was five years ago when my doors opened.

We’ve been impressed with Oomph Salon, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is a full-service salon. Hair, nails, skincare. We are a green circle salon which means we recycle everything from paper and plastic to hair and unused hair color waste. We are a strong supporter of our community and do as much charity work as we can. I am most proud of my salon because we open our doors to every walk of life. We care about our customers because they are people, not because they are spending money. We form relationships with people and care about them beyond our doors. Service-wise, we love what we do and it shows in our work. We are always learning through continuing education to ensure we are staying current for our customers and it keeps us excited about our industry.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck both good and bad has been a GIANT role in both life and business. I have had some crazy bad luck situations through the years. Equipment fire, my MS, covid, etc. But I can honestly say that when I look back, what I felt was bad luck in the end is was good luck. What I learned going through those moments as a person and a business owner is so valuable. So bad luck, all in all is usually good luck in the end.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.oomphsalonks.com
• Instagram: @oomphsalonks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oomphsalonks