Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?

My name is Deana, and I'm a true California native — born and raised right here in Escondido. I'm Kimberly, California has been home for the past 16 years after growing up in the military where I had the opportunity to live multiple places world wide.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

Deana- I always figured I'd eventually leave Escondido — but right out of beauty school, I found a job in historic downtown and never left. Now, as a business owner raising my family here, I've come to appreciate what makes this city so unique. There's an unspoken pride among the people here. Escondido is a true melting pot, and the ones who live, work, and pour their hearts into this community are what make it something genuinely special.

Kimberly- Escondido is truly my favorite place I have ever lived. Growing up a "military brat" I always assumed that I would continue being a nomad in my life and never settle down to a place I could truly call home, always seeking out adventure and change, however Escondido provides us with so much diversity in not only scenery but in people too. I've found the ability to venture to various climates and seasons all while still being close to home is something I thoroughly enjoy.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

In 2021, Kimberly and I (Deana) took a leap of faith that would change our lives,we became the proud owners of Salon Sultry.

Our journey began years earlier, working side by side with our dear friend and the original founder, Shauna Rau. We were all part of the same salon family in Escondido when Shauna decided to follow her vision and open a space rooted in positivity, love, and stylist autonomy. She carefully built a team that shared those values, and Salon Sultry quickly became something special.

After nine incredible years and even making it through the challenges of the COVID shutdown, Shauna felt called to step away from ownership to focus on raising her daughter. When she approached us about taking over the salon, we were honored… and honestly, a little terrified. We didn’t have the financial means to buy a salon, but we believed deeply in what Salon Sultry stood for. So we took a chance, trusted the process, and somehow, everything fell into place.

And just like that, Salon Sultry became ours.

Since then, Kimberly and I have stayed true to the foundation Shauna created while continuing to grow and evolve. We are passionate about creating a space where the old toxicity of the beauty industry has no place, where both our team and our guests feel safe, seen, and supported.

To us, luxury should be an experience everyone can enjoy, not something reserved for a few. That’s why we’ve created an environment that feels clean, bright, calming, and welcoming from the moment you walk in.

Every detail matters. From warm towels at the shampoo bowl to our private head spa treatment room, designed intentionally for deep relaxation, scalp health, and self-care ,we aim to create moments that feel both indulgent and restorative. We carefully select the products we use, including our custom hair color line, Clics, to ensure everything we offer supports overall well-being and tranquility.

Salon Sultry is more than a salon to us. It’s a space built on trust, growth, and intention, and we’re so grateful to share it with everyone who walks through our doors.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice will help them?

Our best advice? Do your homework before diving in, find yourself a great CPA, and build up an emergency fund , you'll thank yourself later. And go in with your eyes open: owning a business means you're never truly off the clock. There's no shutting it down at the end of the day and walking away without a second thought. Even on vacation, the phone doesn't get turned off — it just gets turned down. You're always there, quietly keeping one eye on things and hoping nothing urgent comes through. It's a lifestyle as much as it is a career, and knowing that from the start makes all the difference.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

Honestly, there isn't just one , every piece of feedback we receive holds its own special place. But the ones that stay with us most are the ones where a client tells us they left our salon feeling valued, seen, heard, and beautiful. Those moments are everything. When we receive confirmation that we've achieved our goal of making every person feel their very best in a warm and welcoming environment, we know without a doubt that all of our hard work is truly paying off.

Where do you see your company in the future?

Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our offerings by welcoming an esthetician to our team, creating even more opportunities for self-care, relaxation, and total body wellness.

And beyond that maybe opening a second location!

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

There's a common misconception that doing hair is all fun and no work and while we truly love what we do, our industry runs much deeper than that. We are personally and emotionally invested in every client who sits in our chair. We work with chemistry on a daily basis during color appointments, and we've developed a keen ability to read between the lines because what a client asks for isn't always exactly what they're envisioning. Sorting through that, and delivering results that genuinely make someone feel their best, is all part of the craft.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business and how did you deal with it?

One of our greatest challenges in building this business has been finding the balance between managing our own work behind the chair and overseeing the salon as a whole. The two demand very different kinds of attention, and striking a healthy balance between them is no small feat. On top of that, keeping up with the ever evolving world of social media and business growth is practically a full-time job in itself one that requires a commitment to constant learning and staying ahead of the curve. One of the most valuable lessons we've learned along the way is that you simply can't do it all on your own — and that's perfectly okay. Investing in the right help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of wisdom. Sometimes, bringing in support is exactly what it takes to protect your sanity and keep everything running smoothly.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

We have to give a huge shout-out to our friends and, most importantly, our families — the ones who have cheered us on, supported our dreams, and graciously put up with the long hours and mood swings that come with the territory of owning a business and working behind the chair. You know who you are, and we love you! A special and well-deserved recognition goes to Deana's husband, Mat Camp, who is hands down one of our most valuable assets. Without his hard work and late nights behind the scenes, none of this — not the day-to-day operations, and certainly not our expansion — would be possible. He doesn't always seek the spotlight, but his dedication absolutely deserves it.

Where can our readers follow your work or learn more about your upcoming projects?

You can find all of our information by visiting our website at www.salonsultryongrand.org