When 22-year-old Bridget Kelley-Logrippo opened her own hair salon, B’yond Style Hair Studio, on June 13, 2005, she had both the drive and family support to make her business successful.
Kelley-Lorgrippo comes from a family of successful entrepreneurs. Her family owns three thriving restaurants. The Gingerman Restaurant and Washington Tavern, both on Western Ave. in Albany, have been open for 40 years, and the Fountain Restaurant, just down the street from her hair studio on New Scotland Avenue, has been in business for nearly half a century.
Having just celebrated her studio’s eighth anniversary, Kelley-Logrippo hopes to join her family’s success.
“I had a lot of family support,” she said, “and a lot of family entrepreneurship that gave me the drive.”
“One of my goals is to make sure clients receive the best,” said Kelley-Logrippo. Since renovating in 2011, B’yond Style has come to sell high-end products, such as Bumble and Bumble, a New York City-based company that chooses only a handful of salons to carry its products, and Goldwell color line.
Once a month in B’yond Style, the 10 women employed in the studio participate in Bumble and Bumble classes to keep “up to date in latest styles and trends,” Kelley-Logrippo explained. The women also go to New York City once or twice a year to train.
B’yond Style employees put their training to good use. The studio offers a range of services, from traditional haircuts and coloring, to manicures and pedicures. Kelley-Logrippo said that men should not feel shy about coming into her salon—the studio offers a hot neck shave after every haircut.
The studio welcomes anyone who needs a makeover for prom or a wedding party getting ready for the big day. “We like to have an upbeat and positive environment,” Kelley-Logrippo said, “so new customers should not be nervous walking in.”
B’yond Style does more than make sure its products are top of the line. It also participates in community activities.
“We love to be involved in our neighborhoods and communities,” Kelley-Lorgrippo said. Her business has partnered with the Albany County Crime Victims and Sexual Violence Center, and Equinox, the main domestic violence organization in Albany, both of which are not for profit.
Recently, B’yond Style raised over $2,000 for Equinox by selling hair extensions. This was its second year participating.
Along with the trials Kelley-Logrippo has faced owning a women-run business, she said she is also learning how to balance her work and family, having recently had her second child only two weeks ago. But Kelley-Logrippo said she is enjoying every minute.
“I gave it my all,” she said about her studio’s startup eight years ago, “and it turned out pretty successful. I don’t feel like I’m going to work.”
For more information on B’yond Style Hair Studio, visit the studio website at byondstyle.com, or call 454-0050. Customers are welcome to stop by the studio, located at 573 New Scotland Ave., for 50 percent off their first visit.
