Today we’d like to introduce you to Elle Berry.
Hi Elle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2014, I started my “salon suites” business by first renting a 1200 sqft office for my property management business in Cleveland, Ohio. 1200 doesn’t seem like a lot of space but it was huge for a 1 woman’s office, so I converted it into four offices and one conference room. It already had a full kitchen & restroom in the rear. So once I started advertising, I noticed I would receive calls from beauty professionals and I would decline them every time.
Fast forward 1.5 years later, I decided to stop declining the calls and researched the salon suite, business model. Another 1.5 years later, I opened my first salon suites in Cleveland Heights Ohio, and named it Elle Virtual Suites. I continued with office spaces and brought in event space as well. Over the span of another 2 years, I opened a total of 5 locations in Ohio. For many years, I wanted to take my salon business to other major cities but I was nervous about the unknown and leaving Ohio for someone else to manage my businesses. After the pandemic and many prayers, I took the plunge and moved to Florida November 2020, I only informed family and close friends.
I never made an announcement to anyone else. Personally, I felt that was best until my new salon suites opened in Jacksonville Florida. February 2021, I signed and secured the Jacksonville location and got to work. Construction took 2 months and doors opened in April 2021 and the rest is history. I really couldn’t have done it without the encouragement of my family, my team in Cleveland that run the businesses there, and Mr. Wagner of MLW Construction.
Mr. Wagner completed the entire buildout of Elle Virtual Suites Jacksonville and he did an amazing job! What is next for EVS is a second location in Jacksonville and we have our eyes on more cities in FL as well. I’m excited for the years to come!
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?
Entrepreneurship is never a smooth road in my opinion. There are bumps, u-turns, and dead ends throughout the journey. I’ve learned so much by jumping in headfirst and I wouldn’t change a thing!
Some struggles I’ve had are maintaining quality contractors and leasing agents. Salon suites ownership is a property management business model, it’s a landlord and tenant business.
Luckily I’ve run my first business Elle Management Services a property management company for close to 15 yrs, so that experience prepared me for the same struggles I had previously with managing residential and commercial real estate and now I use those same techniques with my salon business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I like to say that I’m a true businesswoman. I’m an investor, realtor, and business owner. I’ve been in real estate for 15yrs. In Cleveland, Ohio, I am still selling, leasing, and renovating real estate from 900 miles away which is insane LOL! I’m a realtor at Century 21 in Solon Ohio I specialize in leasing, sales, staging, and soon relocation services. I love being an agent, I’ve met so many awesome people all over the world that invest in Ohio.
My second business RB Home Improvement that I launched in Aug. 2012, provides renovation services to many homeowners, project managers, and business owners in Ohio. I am definitely most known for leasing and selling real estate in Cleveland and also as one of the first minority-owned salon suites owners with several locations in multiple states.
I am very proud that I have always jumped at any (probably every) thought I’ve had as far as business. I’ve co-owned a bar, I’ve had a used furniture store with my dad, a boutique store, and a moving company. Although those businesses are no longer operating I know it set me up for what I’m doing today and who I am, I work hard! People don’t realize that not everything will work as planned but as long as you try it’s okay.
Now I can say, I’ve done it and I don’t want to do it anymore haha!! I thank my best friend, my dad for my hustle he told me “do whatever you want to do, you have too much support to worry about failure” And he was right because if I lose it all today, I can just move in with him “wink” LOL. What sets everyone apart from one another is a motivation, goals, execution, etc. however, being a true entrepreneur means you’re never satisfied and I haven’t figured out if that’s good or alarming!
I’m humbled but I want so much more. When I started my first business I wanted to be “rich”, then that turned into, I want to be successful, now I want freedom and I’m happy with that. All my fellow entrepreneurs will know exactly what I’m talking about, it’s just in you to outwork the work and that’s what sets me apart.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would like to share my salon suites business courses with our readers. My courses will launch Fall 2022. It is for any business owner, entrepreneur, or beauty professional that want to start a salon suites business.
The courses will provide information about start-up costs, finding locations, what systems to use, how to find tenants, how to market on social media and so much more. For more information please email [email protected].
Also, if any readers are looking or know someone looking to rent a beautician or esthetician salon suite in Jacksonville contact us! 800-EVS-1054 or email [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: ellevirtualsuites.com
- Instagram: @ellevirtualsuites and @r.elleberry
- Facebook: Elle Berry
