What is style? According to Kristin Nunes, owner of Bella J’s Salon in Westfield, style is whatever makes you happy. “My definition of style and beauty is wanting that individual client, our guest, to feel their absolute best,” says Kristin. “I want to see that smile and know they’re comfortable in their skin. Our goal is for every guest who comes into our salon to leave with a smile.”
Bella J’s Salon has been bringing out the best in clients for eight years this month. Kristin emphasizes education and innovation among her staff of five stylists to keep them current on styles and techniques. The Southampton Road shop is a L’Oreal salon, carrying professional products from that line, along with IGK and ColorWow products.
Roughly 80 percent of Bella J’s clients come for color services, with balayage continuing to be a popular color service. “I would say that the thing that’s really sticking is the baby lights, the balayage, I think it’s here to stay for a while,” says Kristin. As far as haircuts go, Bella J’s does everything from pixies to long styles, including hair extensions. Clients come from as far away as Hadley and Ludlow to work with the Bella J’s staff.
Family is a focus for Kristin and her team. In fact, the name Bella J’s is an adaptation of the names of Kristin’s two children, daughter Ella and son Justin. “We are very family friendly,” notes Kristin. “Each and every one of our stylists takes care of families.”
Customer relationships are critical to the Bella J’s team, so much so that they held a cut-a-thon last spring to raise funds and awareness for childhood brain cancer. “This was something I did because two clients have lost children to this – it was a cause that hit home with us,” says Kristin.
Kristin is implementing an apprentice program, which brings in assistants to grow with the business. “We like to give the knowledge back to the young stylists,” she notes. “When I was in school, training was intense and gave you a great work ethic – we would like to give that back.” Bella J’s works with students from Monarch School of Cosmetology and CTEC to provide a pathway for career development.
“My definition of style and beauty is wanting that individual client, our guest, to feel their absolute best.”
“We are very family friendly. Each and every one of our stylists takes care of families.”