Meet The Owners: Anjoli Salon and Spa

is the place to be for a comfortable atmosphere and friendly service.

The salon started in June of 2001 by Angie DeLaMota and Johnna Gendron, who had worked together for years at a nearby salon.

They expanded their space in Carriage Depot Plaza to add nail and skin care services before settling into their new home within the shopping center.

Anjoli’s bigger location has more employees and offers services for hair, skin, nails, makeup, massage and wedding packages.

Amherst Patch sat down with Angie DeLaMota and Johnna Gendron to talk about their business.

Patch: What is rewarding about owning your own salon/spa?

Johnna: We get to create the kind of atmosphere that we always wanted to have. We provide an atmosphere where our employees and clients come to a place they love. Many of us have worked together for a long time and are a very close-knit group. We get to have a fun, comfortable place and love providing services for our clients. It is just a great place for people to come. We are not about being the ‘best of the best’ in some contest, because to me it is feeling that way that matters and hearing it from our clients.

Patch: What sets your salon/spa apart from the others?

Angie: We offer a comfortable, “homey” atmosphere for our clients to come to. They don’t feel like they have to dress up. Anjoli is more welcoming, where other businesses may be less inviting or comfortable. It can be less personal and some feel they almost have to pretend to be something they are not, not so here. We don’t want people to feel that they have to impress us, we have to impress them. Just know that when you leave here, you are going to look great.

Patch: What is the best moment you’ve had since owning Anjoli?

Johnna. We have a lot of female clients who go through illnesses in their lives, such as cancer, and we have to cut their hair off. The best part is when they come back cancer free with their hair growing in. They are always so happy and I get to help them get their style back, which helps them recover emotionally. Having to cut their hair initially is always hard, but when they come back and we are done with them they look so happy for themselves. I’m also impressed by how appreciative people can be in general. They always say ‘thank you, thank you, I love it’ before they leave. They may have been feeling down and it always amazes me how much they change after. I love making other people feel beautiful about themselves.

Patch: What are the daily challenges of owning your business?

Angie: We are working owners and have clients to work with while managing the place. The toughest thing is problem solving while trying to keep the salon functioning and not taking away from our own clients. Being a working owner can be very challenging and we could have a customer come in right when an issue pops up. Luckily, we have some desk staff to take charge of some of them when possible.

Patch: How do you make the workplace fun?

Johnna:  We are just fun in general, we have a good time. We try and go out for drinks and dinner after work and enjoy each other’s company. It is all about camaraderie. We also learn from each other during the day and keep communication open for questions. We are a team and no one feels uncomfortable while they are here. We try to have a professional atmosphere, but make it so it is not too ‘fancy.’ We all enjoy our work.

Patch: What are the plans for the future?

Angie: We would love to hire more people since we have now have a bigger place to work in. I would like to add a few more people in hair department and spa, perhaps even create more spa services. We want growth and the future is looking good. We want to be here a long time and I think we will be because there is a great group of girls here. We want people to come in and visit us!

Visit there website here.