About

PORTSMOUTH, NH – With many feeling the effects of inflation and economic challenges, Vanity Hair Studio Owner Heidi White is taking a unique approach to her business operations to help her stylists thrive and allow clients to get the hair and makeup services they want without breaking the bank.

Since COVID-19 rocked businesses around the world, Vanity Hair Studio and its makeup studio VHMS have been pushing through to maintain the typically busy and bustling business. Since 2021, the salon has handled countless bridal parties, wedding hair and makeup trials, and wedding events for the many Seacoast brides who had rescheduled their 2020 weddings. However, despite the resurgence in wedding-related business, White knew a novel approach would be necessary to keep business on track.

Having initially opened Vanity's doors during the 2008 recession at just 26 years of age and a single mom to two young sons, White has an entrepreneurial and creative spirit that has allowed her to build a solid foundation in the community and gain client loyalty through creatively designing great deals, and savings over the past 14 years. In today's economy, White has expanded this approach to include VIP membership opportunities that allow clients to maintain their beauty regimen without an extravagant price tag.

Vanity's most popular VIP memberships are Cut.Me (unisex short cuts) for $45/month and Color.Me.Beautiful, where for $99 per month, members get unlimited root colors and blowouts. That's right – unlimited. Clients can come in every week if desired, and dogs are welcome too!

Stylists at the Deer St. salon also benefit from White's conscientious business approach. With an innovative compensation program, stylists receive a higher-than-average hourly wage, plus commissions, quarterly bonuses, and two weeks of paid vacation time. The VIP membership programs make this compensation package possible, and the approach is a first for hair salons in the Seacoast area.

The VIP membership model allows White to balance her business income in advance to ensure her staff stay busy and are ensured a constant paycheck at the same time.

"It has always been not just important, but critical, that my salon be supportive of both its clients and stylists. You can't have one without the other," said White. "There will always be challenges we have to face, whether economically or otherwise, and I'm just happy to be on solid footing with wonderful and loyal clients and a talented staff that embody the vision I have always had for Vanity – to create, shine, amaze, and do truly beautiful work."

Vanity Hair Studio is a high-end, super clean, modern salon with a relaxed vibe that offers a wide range of hair and makeup services for Seacoast residents, business owners, and professionals. The salon uses local organic color lines, and demonstrates a love for animals and the environment with sustainable measures and premium level products that use plants over chemicals.

Since the salon's opening in 2008, White has consistently adjusted her business approach to fit the needs of her clientele and staff .

"I'm just an artist who started a business on blind faith fourteen years ago," White said. "I'm always thinking about how I can balance the scales, and all I know is that failure is not an option. I want people to love their reflection – it's that simple."

Individuals interested in learning more about Vanity, scheduling an appointment, or joining the VIP membership program can visit vanityhairstudionh.com.