Whether you want to add volume and length with extensions, decorate the whole softball team in hot pink streaks or go with a smooth stacked A-line, Codi Dodge and Drey Duran are ready to quench your thirsty Arizona hair with leave-in conditioner and spoil you in style.
Dodge grew up in Prescott Valley. Duran grew up in Prescott. Their paths crossed and their lives changed when they met in a Prescott beauty college 13 years ago. The two became fast friends as they clipped, permed, dyed and curled their way into their first jobs in the same Prescott salon. Their bond grew even stronger as these young moms raised their children together.
“We are opposites in a lot of ways, but we balance each other out,” said Duran. “Codi is very thoughtful and caring.”
“I’m the hyper one,” said Dodge. “Drey can be hyper, too, but she mellows me out. She’s also very organized and patient, and can think outside the box.”
The large salon where they were working moved to Prescott Valley. Soon, the two women saw an opportunity as the salon changed owners.
“Bigger isn’t necessarily better,” said Dodge. “We wanted to create a warm, cozy environment where clients feel comfortable to walk around, laugh and drink tea.”
“We opened the salon so that we could choose our own hours and have more family time,” added Duran.
But more family time did not happen right away. When they say they “built” their business, they mean it. Four years ago, Dodge and Duran were hammering, hanging dry wall and painting in the evenings after they styled hair all day. On June 27, 2009, when small businesses all around them were going under, the two friends opened Amadora Salon & Boutique at 6455 N. Viewpoint Dr., on the backside of Prescott Valley.
To outsiders, it looked as though these young women were making two very big, basic mistakes: opening a small business during a recession and going into business with a good friend.
For the first six months, 10 hour days were common as Dodge and Duran handled everything from the shampoo bowl to the balance sheet. But through the challenges of designing and building the business, the two seemed to agree on everything.
“We’ve always had similar tastes,” said Dodge. “Sometimes we’ll come to work wearing the same shirts or shoes! We’re like the perfect marriage.”
Soon the women hired three more stylists.
“When we hire, we make sure we all mesh well. That’s why our clients like it here, they feel comfortable, we know each other and each other’s clients, and many of our clients we’ve known for a long time,” said Duran.
Both women cite customer loyalty as critical to their success. Long-time clients include customers they met more than a decade ago. One woman makes the drive regularly from Las Vegas for hair care.
“We’re busy and getting busier as we head into the holiday season,” said Duran. “But there’s always room for more!”
Amadora Salon and Boutique is open every day except Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and later by appointment. And the owners, now in their early 30s, are enjoying the success they envisioned as entrepreneurs who set their own schedules. But the most rewarding part, they say, is having happy clients.
“We get phone calls and cards from clients thanking us for changing their attitude and impacting their life,” said Duran. “Clients going out happy and feeling so good about themselves is our best advertisement. They send their friends to us.”
Amadora means “a gift of love,” which the women say is what they intended to create for themselves and their clients.
“It’s like we have the perfect little family here,” said Dodge. QCBN
For more information about Amadora Salon & Boutique, call 928-772-0888 or send an email to amadorasalon@yahoo.com.
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