Luana Stavar didn’t just want to open a salon; she wanted to change salon culture. Reimagining the very method in which she learned her craft, the owner of La Vida Salon in East Hanover was determined to let her stylists shine by offering them a hands-on education. She knew with the right kind of investment, they would flourish.
Recalling her early days as a stylist, Luana shared, “I worked in a very structured salon.” She explained that the owner used a more traditional business model, in which assistants primarily interacted with clients during shampoo services. “It was a different kind of environment,” she said. “Because assistants had limited hands-on experience, stepping into a stylist role later on could feel unfamiliar at first.”
Luana assembled her current team before she found the salon’s space. They were a group of newcomers eager for a career in styling. “I believed in them, and they believed in me
There were three months of training prior to opening day. Nearly three years later, training continues. Done both in-house and at outside locations, Luana teaches most classes herself and, when she can, brings in local and international instructors. For one week, an instructor from Brazil was on site. Others have come from California and Florida. She is currently working to bring in someone from Australia.
“It’s important because it’s so great to see someone grow as a stylist and to see their potential,” explained Luana. “I have been working with them from the beginning and training them to be aligned with the brand.”
Truly committed to investing in her team, Luana devotes significant time to training and mentorship. She explained, “We teach a few times a week in different formats—short in-salon sessions, hands-on model work, and focused workshops. Classes typically range from two to six hours, depending on the topic. We also do deeper training and masterclasses when introducing new techniques or services.” The training covers services like keratin treatments, hair extensions, and advanced color techniques, including balayage, gray blending, blonding, and corrective color.
Then there are lessons that go beyond hair. Her growing team of twelve also learns consultation skills, pricing, retail sales, client retention, social media content, branding, and time management. “The goal,” said Luana, “is to build well-rounded stylists who are confident behind the chair and successful long-term.”
Mentorship is another aspect of her reimagined salon culture. She said, “We provide one-on-one coaching, support with goal setting, pricing, and scheduling guidance, and regular feedback to help stylists grow. We also mentor on mindset, confidence, and personal brand building. Our team knows they’re supported not just as stylists, but as individuals growing their careers.”
Luana’s husband, Damien, is her partner in life and business. In addition to focusing on back-office work, he helped her create the salon’s rustic yet modern aesthetic. They used wood sourced from the couple’s farm, Goodwood Farms, to build the handcrafted elements that make the space feel inviting.
Everything about the salon was carefully thought out. The name means “the life,” and it represents the fact that “all who work here are the life of the salon and spa.”
The hands-on approach benefits not only the stylists and assistants but also the clients. Luana said, “This makes the experience 10 out of 10 for guests because we’re all a big team. We’re all friends. They see we’re working together to provide the best experience for them.”
As for her team, Luana enjoys seeing them become their own stylist. “When I see them become proud of what they’re doing, it elevates me.”
https://www.lavida.salon/