Owner of Ebony & Ivory in La Marque talks shop

April James-Jones owns and operates Ebony & Ivory Salon in La Marque, which has been known to throw parties for its customers, some of whom come from as far away as Central Texas. She answered questions about running her own business.

Q: How and why did you get into the salon business?

A: As a result of my involvement in various extracurricular activities in high school, and the expense associated with frequent salon visits, my friends and I experimented with makeup application, hair styling and hair weaves. I continued to cultivate my talent and became quite skilled and sought after and acquired a regular clientele of individuals who didn’t mind paying the cost for my services.

Recognizing the flexibility and earning potential of an independent professional stylist persuaded me to obtain formal education and training to acquire state certification.

Q: Did you have a formal business plan when you began?

A: Yes. It is my recommendation for anyone interested in starting a business venture to put together a business plan.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of the business?

A: Many of my clients aspire to improve their existing persona or to enhance their image for the purpose of achieving a personal or career endeavor.

There are individuals interested in a professional who offers a specialty — for instance, doing precision haircuts as a colorist or perhaps a stylist who has the capability of developing creative solutions to the sensitive issue of women’s premature baldness and hair loss.

We also have existing clients who are pleased with the services they receive from Ebony & Ivory on a regular basis. Regardless of the scenario, I am totally fulfilled each time I’ve achieved or exceeded customer expectations, performing the hair care techniques I truly enjoy, and those I’ve offered for the past 25 years. This is the highest reward anyone in the industry could ever desire.

Q: What’s the most difficult part of the business?

A: If a proprietor is forever ambitious and constantly involved in creating new projects and endeavors in marketing the services and products she offers, doing so can be somewhat of a challenge with respect to juggling schedules, maintaining personal health and wellness, continuing education and training — and instead learning how to determine when to say when and begin carving out time to engage in other interests outside of the business arena.

Q: What are your busiest months?

A: Our busiest months are typically May through July, September, December, January and March.

Q: What do you do to generate business in the slow season?

A: I implement creative advertising that quickly captures the attention of the consumer and encourages a telephone or walk-in inquiry — resulting in an immediate or future appointment. New clients who are satisfied with our services often refer their friends, family and acquaintances, which results in increased business. So advertising is a key factor in our ability to remain successful during the slow season.

Q: What’s your best trick in keeping down expenses?

A: One example is in lieu of hiring an additional employee to perform a regular and specific task essential to business operations, I instead opt to encourage my existing team to prioritize their individual work responsibilities, making it possible for the tasks to be handled internally with everyone scheduled equally to participate in completing the task, doing away with an additional expense.

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At A Glance

WHAT: Ebony & Ivory Salon

WHERE: 15029 Delany Road, La Marque

CALL: 409-655-5758

YEAR FOUNDED: 1995

NAME OF OWNER: April James-Jones, sole proprietress

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 8

ONLINE: www.ebonyandivoryssalons.com

BRAGGING RIGHTS: Ebony and Ivory is one of the few salons in the area that specializes in hair loss resolution techniques for women of all ethnicities and hair textures.