Teeka Lynne’s Salon and Day Spa on Plymouth St. in Halifax is celebrating 15 years in business this month. A difficult feat in today’s day and age, especially given the current environment. The Express spoke with owner Teeka Isakson about both the struggles and joys of owning her own business.
Isakson said her interest in hair began as a young girl highlighting, coloring, and perming her sister, mother, and grandmother’s hair. At the age of 19, while pregnant with her first daughter and attending hair school, Isakson said she dreamed of owning her own salon by the time she was 30. “At the age of 29 after working for other salons and realizing a lot of the things I believed in were not coming to fruition, I knew it was time to make my dreams come true,” Isakson said.
After working for years in the towns of Hingham and Norwell and getting to know many of the residents and their families, Isakson decided that she wanted that same familiarity with the people in her own community. “I chose Halifax because I was raised in Halifax and wanted to share my passion with the community that raised me and get to know the children in which my children were growing up with,” Isakson explained.
Another impetus for choosing Halifax for her business was that back in 2006 when she opened Teeka Lynne’s Salon and Day Spa there were no day spas in the community. Isakson said she wanted to bring services to the town that had previously not been there. “I implemented the spa atmosphere which includes not only hair services but manicures, pedicures, skincare and massage all under one roof,” Isakson said.
Community engagement has been important to Isakson over the years. The salon has supported local sports organizations, school events, and other local fundraising efforts in both Halifax and other surrounding towns. The salon has been involved with pre-prom fashion shows, sponsored local youth sports teams, helped with HOPS Playground fundraising, and donated many gift certificates to various school and other fundraising events. Most recently, they have partnered with South Shore Foster Closet to help raise funds and awareness for foster children of Plymouth County.
The last year has posed previously unseen challenges for Teeka Lynne’s and all small businesses. Isakson said that the biggest struggles have been maintaining a safe environment for her staff and clients as well as accommodating all clients in accordance with the constantly changing regulations and scheduling/capacity limitations.
“I have built my salon based on state board guidelines,” Isakson said. In light of the pandemic, the salon has enhanced safety protocols even further regularly disinfecting high touch surfaces like chairs, door handles, and high traffic areas. Only one client is allowed with a given stylist or therapist at a time. The waiting area has also been extended into the vestibule and outside under the awning weather permitting.
Asked what she believes to be the key to her longevity, Isakson cited both customer service and education. Isakson said that the salon works hard to keep abreast of current trends in order to guide clients toward something that will suit both their sense of fashion and lifestyle. “We have always paid attention to our clients wants and ideas,” Isakson said. Employees at Teeka Lynne’s keep up with their education through attendance at in-house classes, outside classes, and trade shows. “I would want any potential client to know that our number one service is customer service,” Isakson said. She continued, “We do our best to keep everyone happy by listening to what their thoughts and goals are with any and all services we provide. We give feedback where and when necessary.”
Isakson said that she looks forward to growing not only as a salon but as a woman-run business. She also emphasized the importance of community support over the last decade and a half. “I would like the community to know that we would not be in business for the last 15 years as a local, small business without their continued support,” she explained.