GATE CITY, VA – June 29, 2022 – Paige Seaver always knew she wanted to operate her own business and after working with others for a few years, she decided to take the plunge and began working to open her own hair salon, Lavish Hair Design, LLC. On Saturday, July 2 that dream comes true as she celebrates the grand opening of her new business on 244 E. Jackson Street in Gate City.
Lavish Hair Design, LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“Assisting small business owners in getting their businesses off the ground and on more solid footing while at the same time creating jobs is an integral function of the VCEDA seed capital matching grant program,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “Lavish Hair Design, LLC had several things in its business plan that made it stand out as far as unique offerings and the business projects five full-time and two part-time employees within five years.”
While the new hair salon offers all the traditional services one might expect as it relates to hair care – cut, color and style for women, children and men — Seaver noted three things set it apart. One is that the salon is a green salon, recycling 99 percent of everything used in the salon. What is not recycled, will be composted, she said. Automatic hand dryers, microfiber cloths and concentrated cleaners will further serve to make the salon as ecofriendly as it can be.
Second, Seaver said staying up on trends in the hair care industry will be important as continuing education offerings will be a mainstay and required of all stylists hired to work at the salon. A third item that sets Lavish Hair Design apart is that it offers hand-tied hair extensions.
“I want Lavish to stand out,” she added. “As a professional my main goal is to aid my clients in looking and feeling their absolute best. I’m committed to learning the latest techniques and trends in the field to ensure that each service I perform is high-quality.”
In addition to the traditional hair care services, air brush make-up services are also offered. In the future, she said, plans are to offer hair styling classes for the community and working with the local school cosmetology instructor to allow students the opportunity to shadow hair stylists at her salon.
“Our plan is to use the VCEDA grant for the salon furniture needs, styling tools, color and supplies,” Seaver said. “We will also offer some supplies for retail sale.”
“The grant was honestly life changing for us,” Seaver said. “It will cover the supplies and inventory we need as we get started. It starts the salon out on the right foot and makes it easier going forward.”
Seaver worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing her application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Scott County Industrial Development Authority.
“Paige is an impressive young lady with an ambition to bring a high quality salon to the Gate City community,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC director at MECC. “Her passion for her work and the salon shine. The VCEDA Seed Capital fund will allow her to realize the dream of owning her business. Mountain Empire’s SBDC is happy to have been a part in supporting Lavish Hair through this process.”
The salon is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The business is on Facebook and has a website which may be found at www.lavishhairdesign.com.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.