“This space, you’ve got supplies, a little office for the manager, and then there’s also a break room. Is that enough?”
J.J. focused on the rooms in front of them. She walked in and out. “You said little. This is huge. There’s tons of space back here.”
There were more than enough places for staff to kick back, for a manager to have privacy, and a huge room for inventory and supplies.
“I assure you, one thing I do not know is how much space is required for a boutique salon.”
“Your hair is perfection, don’t lie. You’ve spent a fair amount of time in salons.”
“What?”
“Yeah, I mean, white at the temples only? Come on, some high-end stylist is selectively dying it for you. Unless, unless that’s a piece.”
“A piece?”
“A toupee, a rug, it’s really hard to tell these days.”
“This is my hair! All natural.”
“You can admit it if it’s plugs, no shame in that game.”
“Look!” Stone leaned into J.J.
She put her hand in his hair, and she tugged a bit.
“Ouch.”
“Sorry, yeah, if it’s implants, it’s good workmanship.”
“You’re teasing me.”
“Just a little.”
And it was J.J.’s turn to laugh. Somehow, she’d goaded the man into feeling just slightly less confident. If she was going to earn the money Stone was paying her, she needed to act like she knew what was what! She needed to level the playing field between the international man of mystery and the townie beautician.
He’s a billionaire, sure, but he’s also a dude who worries about his hairline. Ha!
“Okay, so we’re good with space,” Stone said once J.J. had stopped chuckling. “What’s the first order of business, in your estimation?”
“We need to lay out the stations.” J.J. walked back into the main room. “There needs to be a little waiting area here and reception space. I’d also say you want a product display. That’s huge. The salon needs to align with a product line. And then, the stations take up the majority of the space.”
Stone listened intently as J.J. walked the floor.
“Okay, here, that’s a rough idea, and then we have maybe, hmm, let’s see…” J.J. walked back and forth and then the length and width of the main space.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m visualizing.” She imagined what she’d want and need for a chair, her tools, her products.
“Got it. So, what do you see?”
“Shhh. I’m thinking.”
“Sorry.”
She walked back and forth again and then diagonally. She decided not to dwell on the fact that she’d just shushed a captain of industry.
“Okay, I think you’ve got space for six stylists; any more than that, and you’re looking at overcrowding. Also, it’s good for business for people to think it’s hard to get in, you know? Scarcity. Now, when it comes to the back rooms, if we’re smart, you can turn the two areas, here and here, into a facial station and place for pedis and manis. We’re not getting into waxing. That’s more liability than I think you’re going to want to deal with.”
