Daily Inspiration: Meet Alicia and Matthew Gardner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia and Matthew Gardner.

Hi Alicia and Matthew, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Whenever anyone starts a business or pursues and idea the goal is supposed to solve a problem to boost and support your local economy. Our story and journey encompasses both of those. We frequent the EOS that is close to our location and sought to correct the problem of a lack of health and wellness location that supports that area. In addition, we sought to improve upon other salon suite experiences that we have been a part of by solving issues that would help to create a more enjoyable work environment and client experience for other like-minded beauty and healthy professionals. By creating Speakeasy Salon Suites, we provided opportunity for 20 businesses to grow, thrive, and stimulate the local economy thus allowing us to support the community.

The original idea of Speakeasy Salon Suites came in a time when business and economy was up in the air by government shutdowns etc., related to COVID-19. Simply put, our mission is to help and support as many of these small businesses that have struggled within the last year as we can.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We faced many obstacles thus far in this journey. I would say that our biggest obstacle in our journey has been that material shortage. We quickly realized that material costs were rapidly rising by the month since we had started our building. Another obstacle outside of the material costs and shortages has been with the workforce. Believe it or not, it is has been difficult to find consistent, dedicated and responsible individuals willing to work.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I (Alicia) have been a licensed cosmetologist for almost 17 years and certified lash technician for over a decade now. I have also within the last five years received my certificate of completion for microblading and permanent brows. I primarily started out with just hair services. Then I was intrigued by lashes so I gave that a go. It’s taken over!! I primarily do lashes now as those services are more frequent than that of hair and permanent brow services. I’d have to say with I am most proud of is getting through some of life’s obstacles that I’ve often wondered, ” How can I do that someday?”. Then before you know it, little steps add up and you look back and think, “Whoa, I’m doing that now!”. When it comes to Speakeasy Salon Suites, what sets me apart is that I am in the industry. I live the life they live. I am in there working alongside them with the day to day operations of the business. My husband and I are not just some random couples who had this epiphany to open salon suites one day then disappear. It’s about family. Although each potential tenant is their own business, we’re still a family. We’re all in this together. I am here for them as a friend and fellow businesswoman championing them everyday. Ya know the age old saying, “It takes one to know one.” I feel when it comes to Speakeasy Salon Suites the saying needs to be, “It takes one to run one”.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Not everything doesn’t always go as planned. LITERALLY. When you start a business, you need to account for everything you can possibly think of. In these instances, everyone has a plan A and sometimes a plan B. We had a plan B and had to divert to the plan B within about a month. We truly believe that knowledge being power is 1000% true. The more you know, the better you are equipped to come at you when your A, B or even C do not go as planned.

At the end of the day, you’re more powerful than you think you are.

Contact Info:

• Email: speakeasysuites@gmail.com
• Website: speakeasysuites.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasy.suites/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakeasySalonSuites/

Image Credits
Image Credit: Alicia Gardner