Meet Melodie Jackson of Las Sendas Salon Suites in Mesa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melodie Jackson.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began my career in aviation as a commercial pilot and flight instructor. After graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, I went to work for Hughes Helicopter/McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company working on the Apache Helicopter program.

After moving to Mesa, Arizona with McDonnell Douglas and working ten years on helicopter projects, I transitioned to building homes with my husband. We designed, developed and constructed over 4,000 homes with sales of over $1.0 Billion dollars in real estate in the Phoenix-Metro area.

In 2013, I obtained a Master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning. and went to work at the City of Mesa Engineering Department working on Capital Improvement projects for the city.

With my entrepreneurial spirit and business expertise, I could not resist when my husband and daughter decided to start a new commercial real estate business building Salon Suites. We design and build beautiful beauty malls with 20+ privately keyed fully furnished suites for health and beauty professionals.

This includes leasing to highly motivated experienced hair and skin professionals and coaching younger self-starters who are interested in starting their own salon beauty business. In the past year, we have opened two locations in Mesa. I love watching new businesses grow and flourish this environment.

I am a global traveler and have lived and worked in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. My passion is service projects which include water, sanitation and hygiene education (WASH) in Africa, India and the Middle East. I am an active member in Rotary International and the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
After having my own business for the past 25 years, there comes a tremendous amount of stress especially when you have 80 employees and over 400 trade contractors working on your job sites every day. The thought of those families being dependent upon you to do your job – which is to provide them jobs is overwhelming.

During the real estate decline in 2007/2008 – it was very heartbreaking to reduce a business and workforce down to 3 people in my office. I worked hard, making phone calls and writing reference letters to try and get my staff placed at other construction companies. Finally, I had to find work for myself at another employer.

Without many employment opportunities, I decided to return to Arizona State University and get my Master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning. Competing with young people, who could be my children, it was a challenge to learn new technology, theory and skills. But it was so rewarding. I finished my two-year degree in 3 semesters and met many amazing people along the way.

Combined with my work experience and education, I was fortunate to get gainful employment with the City of Mesa. Working provided needed health insurance and income to pay the bills.

But being my own boss, charting my own course drew me back to working for myself. My plan does not include having the stress of employees, but I love providing a place for new business owners to develop their own business.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Las Sendas Salon Suites – what should we know?
Our family owned and operated residential and commercial real estate development business designed and built over 4,ooo homes in over 30 subdivisions. This experience gives our company the ability to design, procure labor and materials and manage the commercial construction of highly complex building interiors.

Beauty salon suites requires water, electrical and lighting to 20+ private suites in a 5,000 sq ft space. These suites are typically 10 x 10 and to be successful each suite must have a high level of luxury appeal including beautiful flooring, custom furnishings and high-end equipment such as shampoo bowls, styling chairs or aesthetician tables.

After the salon are completed, comes the marketing and leasing. Our daughter Tanina is a successful local artist and graphic designer. She gives us a high level of expertise in marketing to potential tenants. Her work includes designing printed material, social media, blogs, direct mail, and websites. She is an expert in customer acquisition. She also assists with the onsite marketing and signage design.

Finally, after having our own business for over 30 years, we can provide sound advice and support to our tenants, who may be beginning their careers in running their own business. It is very rewarding to provide a beautiful place for new businesses to flourish.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My entire career, I have had tremendous mentors and leaders along my path. The aerospace executives at Hughes Helicopter and McDonnell Douglas Helicopter provided a solid foundation for teamwork and striving for excellence in all aspects of my business. Continuous improvement through quality achievement and performance measurement, were skills directly transferrable from building Apache Helicopters to building high quality homes.

My husband’s vision and drive comes from his father who owned and operated his own gas station, towing and auto repair garage in Illinois. During snow storms, his father would get called out all hours of the night to tow stranded vehicles. My husband’s mother was a self-employed beautician in the basement of their home. Neither had college degrees, but his parents were the self-directing and provided a platform for all three of their children to attend and graduate from college.

After college, my husband was a US Naval Aviator and commercial airline pilot. This combined with my own aviation background provided the discipline to develop and utilize checklists, procedures and policies in our business to produce results. It also gave us the opportunity to celebrate the successful results with our employees.

Over the 30 years, we had tremendously loyal and selfless employees who always put our customers and clients first. Although their employment was over ten years ago, many are still good friends and considered family. Every time we have a grand opening for a new salon, they attend and I am always happy to see them.

Finally, my father and mother have been the most influential and biggest supporters of everything I have ever done. As a competitive swimmer in high school and college, my parents attended every swim meet. They were active as meet starter and head timer for my teams.

My father was an airline pilot and made it his personal mission to assist me in obtaining my commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates. He also taught me to play a good game of billiards. He said if I could not make money as a flight instructor, I could at least hustle up a quarter playing pool to get a cup of coffee and a donut. I doubt he ever thought coffee and donut would run $5 bucks.

Both my parents gave me the gift of travel and adventure. In the early 1950’s women going to college were teachers or nurses. My mom graduated as a registered nurse. She was one of the first Japanese stewardesses hired by Pan American Airways after WW II. During the war, her family was interned. She had never been out of Seattle Washington and Pan Am sent her to be based in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a young lady in her early 20’s, she fearlessly traveled all over the world.

My mom also taught me to be grateful. She is a gracious hostess and the kindest person I know. I have never heard her say an unkind word about anyone. She faces everyday as if it were her last. She is 87 and can out exercise me, she continues to travel and garden. Her goal is to learn something new everyday.

Pricing:

• Privately keyed salon suites leases start at $150/wk

Contact Info:

• Address: Las Sendas Salon Suites 3654 N. Power Road Building 5, Suite 133 Mesa, Arizona
  Kiowa Village Salon Suites 2235 S. Power Road, Ste 114 Mesa, Arizona 85209
• Website: www.LasSendasSalonSuites.com and www.KiowaVillageSalonSuites.com
• Phone: 602-309-5858
• Email: melodiej@jaxprop.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lassendassalonsuites/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LasSendasSalonSuites/about/?ref=page_internal
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/las-sendas-salon-suites-mesa
• Other: https://linkedin.com/company/18333880/

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