When Lori Leonard opened Salon De Cheveux in April 2010, she never imagined that her small one-person operation would evolve into downtown Cañon City's premier beauty destination. What began as a personal journey of healing and transformation following the loss of her mother has become a cornerstone of our community, serving thousands of clients throughout the Arkansas River Valley.

Our story is one of resilience, growth, and unwavering commitment to providing exceptional beauty services while supporting the vibrant downtown Cañon City community we call home.

From 2010-2025, Salon De Cheveux has weathered challenges that would have closed many businesses, from the global pandemic to literal destruction of our storefront. Through it all, our commitment to excellence, community service, and professional growth has remained constant. Today, we stand as a testament to what's possible when passion, perseverance, and community support come together in pursuit of a shared vision.

The Beginning: A Journey Born from Loss

Lori's path to salon ownership wasn't traditional. Working at a popular Cañon City salon, she found herself needing to make significant life changes following her mother's death. The grief and introspection that followed led to a decision that would change not only her life but also the landscape of beauty services in Fremont County. In April 2010, she took the bold step of opening her own salon, starting with just one side of a building on Main Street.

Building Excellence Through Education and Community

From the beginning, Lori understood that excellence in the beauty industry requires continuous learning and community engagement. Her commitment to education - both for herself and her team - has been a cornerstone of Salon De Cheveux's success. This dedication to professional development ensures our clients receive the most current techniques and highest quality services available in the beauty industry.

• Advanced Training Programs
  Team members regularly attend workshops and seminars from leading beauty brands including Redken, Pureology, FarmHouse Fresh, and Mirabella. This ongoing education keeps our skills current with industry innovations.
  
  
• Community Education Partnership
  Partnered with Cañon City High School to provide internship opportunities, allowing students to gain hands-on experience while contributing to our community's future workforce development.
  
  
• Local Business Advocacy
  Actively promotes collaboration among downtown businesses, believing that supporting each other strengthens the entire community and creates a thriving business district.
  
  
• Professional Certifications
  Maintained certifications in specialized services including Tuel/Berodin skincare, advanced waxing techniques, microdermabrasion, and hyperpigmentation treatment.
  
  

Weathering the Storm: COVID-19 and Reinvention

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced salon closures in March 2020, many beauty businesses struggled to survive. However, Lori used this unexpected pause as an opportunity for reflection, planning, and strategic improvement. The shutdown period became a catalyst for positive changes that would strengthen Salon De Cheveux for years to come.

• Strategic Planning Period
  Used closure time to attend countless Zoom seminars and training sessions, developing comprehensive plans for debt elimination and clientele building. This period of forced reflection led to breakthrough insights about business operations.
  
  
• Team Restructuring
  Staffing changes upon reopening created opportunities to build a more cohesive team of dedicated stylists who share our commitment to exceptional guest experiences and professional growth.
  
  
• Enhanced Safety Protocols
  Implemented advanced sanitization procedures and safety measures that not only met health requirements but exceeded them, ensuring client confidence and safety.
  
  
• Business Model Refinement
  Developed more sustainable business practices focused on long-term success rather than short-term gains, creating stability for both staff and clients.
  
  

Triumph Over Adversity: The 2021 Vehicle Incident

Just as we were recovering from the pandemic's challenges, Salon De Cheveux faced an unprecedented crisis in February 2021. A vehicle crashed through our front door, destroying our retail area, shampoo station, and two styling stations while injuring one employee. This incident could have ended many businesses, but it became a defining moment that showcased our team's resilience and our community's support.

• Immediate Response
  Despite the destruction, we reopened in just four days through the incredible dedication of our staff. Everyone pitched in to clean up, reorganize, and create temporary solutions to keep serving our clients.
  
  
• Team Unity
  The crisis revealed the true character of our team. Each member contributed beyond their normal responsibilities, demonstrating flexibility, support, and unwavering commitment to our shared mission.
  
  
• Opportunity in Crisis
  Rather than simply repairing damage, we used this as an opportunity to complete the salon remodel we had always envisioned. By summer 2021, we emerged with a completely transformed space.
  
  
• Community Rallying
  Local businesses, clients, and community members provided overwhelming support during our recovery. This experience reinforced our deep connection to Cañon City and strengthened our resolve to serve our community.
  
  

Our Business Philosophy: People First

Throughout our 15-year journey, one principle has remained constant: putting people first. This philosophy extends to our team members, our clients, and our broader community. Every decision we make is filtered through the lens of how it will impact the people we serve and work alongside. This approach has created not just a successful business, but a meaningful community institution.

• Team Empowerment
  We believe our stylists' success directly translates to client satisfaction. Our commission structure and professional development opportunities are designed to help team members build sustainable, fulfilling careers.
  
  
• Personalized Guest Journeys
  Every client receives individualized attention from consultation through follow-up. We take time to understand each person's lifestyle, preferences, and goals to deliver truly customized experiences.
  
  
• Community Investment
  We actively support local initiatives and believe in promoting other downtown businesses. Success in Cañon City should be shared, and we work to lift up the entire business community.
  
  
• Continuous Improvement
  We regularly research new products, services, and techniques to bring the most innovative and effective treatments to our clients. Excellence requires constant evolution and learning.
  
  

Serving Beyond Cañon City: Regional Impact

While our roots are firmly planted in downtown Cañon City, our reputation for excellence has attracted clients from throughout the Arkansas River Valley and beyond. This regional reach allows us to serve both our local community and visitors to our beautiful area, creating economic impact that extends far beyond our salon doors.

• Tourism Support
  Many visitors to Royal Gorge and surrounding attractions discover our services, often returning specifically for salon appointments during future visits to the area. We've become part of many people's Colorado vacation experience.
  
  
• Regional Expertise
  Our understanding of Colorado's unique environmental challenges - high altitude, intense UV exposure, low humidity - allows us to serve clients from across the mountain region with specialized knowledge.
  
  
• Economic Multiplier Effect
  Clients often combine salon visits with shopping, dining, and other activities downtown, supporting multiple local businesses and contributing to Cañon City's economic vitality.
  
  
• Professional Recognition
  Our multiple Reader's Choice Awards demonstrate community recognition that extends throughout Fremont County, solidifying our reputation as the region's premier beauty destination.
  
  

Looking Forward: Leadership and Legacy

As Salon De Cheveux enters its next chapter, Lori's role continues to evolve from hands-on stylist to strategic business leader. This transition allows her to focus on what she does best - creating systems, developing team members, and ensuring every client receives exceptional care. The foundation built over 15 years provides a strong platform for continued growth and community service.

• Strategic Leadership
  Transitioning focus from behind-the-chair services to business management, financial oversight, and team development ensures long-term sustainability and growth opportunities.
  
  
• Succession Planning
  Developing strong team leaders and systems that don't depend on any single person, creating stability for both employees and clients as the business continues to evolve.
  
  
• Innovation Integration
  Continuously researching and implementing new services, products, and technologies that enhance client experiences while maintaining our core values of safety and excellence.
  
  
• Community Legacy
  Building upon our established reputation to become an even stronger anchor for downtown Cañon City, supporting local economic development and serving as a model for small business success.
  
  

The story of Salon De Cheveux is ultimately a story about community, resilience, and the power of pursuing excellence in service to others. From a single-person operation born from personal loss to a thriving business that employs multiple professionals and serves thousands of clients annually, our journey reflects the best of small-town American entrepreneurship.

Every challenge we've faced - from early growing pains to pandemic closures to literal destruction of our storefront - has been met with determination, creativity, and the support of our incredible community. These experiences have shaped not just our business practices but our character, creating a salon that truly understands the value of relationships, quality, and perseverance.

As we look toward the future, we remain committed to the principles that brought us this far: putting people first, pursuing continuous improvement, and serving our community with excellence. The next 15 years will undoubtedly bring new challenges and opportunities, but we face them with confidence, knowing that our foundation is strong and our commitment to excellence is unwavering.

For those who have been part of our journey - as clients, team members, or community supporters - thank you for helping write this story. For those discovering us for the first time, we invite you to experience the difference that 15 years of dedication, growth, and community commitment can make in your beauty and wellness journey.