Mandy Zelinka
owner of 77 salon's bio
Mandy has co-owned 77 for 4 years now. She started with an empty salon and 15 chairs and managed to fill it in 6 months. At 3 years of ownership 77 was voted "best salon of Portland" by citysearch.com. She has extensively trained in cutting and coloring, and with her own creative expertise is able to subtley or dramatically change people's appearances. Clients are so confident in her image creating abilities, the words "just make me look good" is usually what is uttered by clients during the consult. She has the knack of one of the greats, being able to give just enough edge to the conservative, and just enough subtlety to the bold ones.
Her approach to marketing has set 77 apart. She has positioned her salon as the go-to for the latest industry info by utilizing her monthly newsletter (that has been deemed one of the best salon e-newsletters in the nation) and blogs to keep the clients stimulated and informed. She is aware of the importance of internet marketing in today's culture - clients want to know it all, and they wanted to know it yesterday. It is in the newsletter that her photography efforts are always on display. Discouraged by corporate hair ads, Zelinka set out to do her own branding within the salon, and came out further ahead of the game then even she imagined. Creating smart and quirky point of sales ads are one of her many specialties. She has managed to market to clients and at the same time include them in the process. One of the unique parts of the newsletter is "client spotlight" where a notable 77 client is featured. She also keeps clients up to date on salon industry news, something that really isn't talked alot about during the hair experience. Zelinka is seen as an innovative leader in an industry that is in desperate need of a jolt.
