A message and a little hello....From Courtney Conley ~ Our newest team member of Bijou!

Bonjour!

I would like to take the time to introduce myself! My name is Courtney Conley and I started working here at Bijou 2 weeks ago.

Here is a little bit of my professional background! I have the love of pampering and hair literally in my blood. My mother has been doing hair for over 35 years! She started out in her home and continued, with hard work, to own her own salon! I started out in 1997 and continued to work for her until 2008. During those years I took advanced courses with Aveda for skin care, manicures, pedicures, color, cuts, waxing, and body treatments! Throughout the year I attended many different classes including make-up application, specialty perms, and waxing. As far as taking over the salon I declined, knowing full well all the hard work my mother has put in over the years. I have a young family, so that is not something I have time for!

My husband Chris works for AT&T wireless in Camillus, Ny (next to Moe's) and works long hours--sometimes 6 days a week! We have two children; Samantha (7 ½) and Christopher (2 ½). We reside in Auburn, NY.

Before learning about Bijou Salon, I had worked at Best & Company in Syracuse for about 8 months and while I enjoyed this experience alot, it was missing something. Not to mention the drive from Auburn to Syracuse was getting to be a bit much!

I began googling salons, I typed "Skaneateles full service salons" and found Bijou! As I began reading about the salon, I could not believe it, the post I was reading was Kim saying that she was growing and was looking for a new team member, but wanted that person to come to her...in fact this was what she wrote and what I was reading at the moment I got dressed up, had my resume in my hand and flew out the door.

She wrote: 'Life is good at Bijou! I'm more than happy with each girl and I will keep them forever!!:)

We are still looking for either one full time person and one part time person for days. I haven't wanted to advertise, because I feel that the right person will come to me, I'm in no hurry, I never believe to rush anything, just let things flow...So if you know of anyone that you think would blend well with us, have them give me a call:)'

After heading right down to Bijou Salon, I met Kim and we took a quick walk to get a coffee and chat, she mentioned that in her business plan that she had written that she would have a "June girl" start....I came in on a Thursday and we set up an interview with her business partner on SUNDAY, JUNE 1st!!

It was an amazing hiring process and a very thorough interview…on the spot, Kim says to me “I need to see you do a cut,” so I replied “Okay, let me call a couple of friends and see who could come.” Her reply was “Well, I need a cut. Do you want to do it now?” I was game! I trimmed her hair and was very comfortable working on her. I also did a pedicure the next day, on a longtime client of hers, said I did it just as well as Kim does it, I could tell that was compliment!

After meeting Kim Baker and being hired, I just knew that this salon would be my new home! Her personality and passion for the beauty business are just a couple of traits we have in common.

Tucked away on the back side of Jordan Street, behind Bella Blue, sits Bijou (a gem of a little salon), an enchanting oasis of relaxation, comfort and friendliness. With our expertly skilled staff and neighborhood atmosphere, Bijou is a full service salon that caters to all who enter!

Kim Baker has created Bijou as a place where anyone can feel welcome, get pampered, and, above all, know they’ll be taken care of. Like I said, she creates a strong sense of family working here (unlike many other jobs)! She has made her salon a warm, discreet environment with an affordable price structure, a personable staff, and highly trained specialists!

Since working here at Bijou Salon, there has been a strong sense of family among both our staff, and our clients.

A client I have been doing for years came in and said how welcomed she felt, and that she felt like she had been coming to Bijou for years! This is due to Kim Baker’s philosophy, “Be yourself, shine on the inside, sparkle on the outside!” We as a salon want you to be comfortable! Our salon philosophy is our loyalty to you, not the other way around! Please choose any chair, any team member, any time! In a service industry, you can’t just ask for a higher compliment than that!

My current specialties include cuts, color, highlights, lowlights, corrective coloring, specialty perms, chemical hair straightening, Brazilian keratin treatments, in addition to spa manicures, spa pedicures, nail art, and facial waxing.

My future at Bijou is endless!! My goal is to become a certified color specialist with our color line!

I know that in the future, with Kim’s hard work and success, she will expand her salon to the next level. My dream is to one day have an assistant to help my clientele grow.

I am a creative individual, craving internet and trade magazine information, making me informed on new styles, new looks, new products, and new services! Continuing education is #1 on my list, next to #2: maintaining my clientele with my superb customer service!

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me ! It was my pleasure spending time with you!

~ Courtney