No matter the decade, a maxim seems to stay true that people always want to look and feel their very best. In Galesburg, Hairetcetera Salon & Day Spa has been a multi-generational fixture helping customers in Western Illinois achieve internal and external beauty with its team of talented and trusted stylists.

“Hairetcetera is a full-service salon and spa offering hair, skin and nail services,” said salon stylist and owner Eva Garza. “On the spa side, we offer facials and massage and pedicures, manicures, all those services.”

Hairetcetera has been helping women and men look their very best for nearly 50 years. The shop sits on Seminary Street in the town’s historic downtown. This family-owned business was founded as Hair Etc. by Eva’s mother, Constance Podeszwa, known by everyone as Connie.

Eva has been a part of the salon even before its doors opened for business. In fact, she watched her mother come up with the name.

“I remember sitting at the kitchen table while my mom came up with the name,” Eva recalled with a warm smile. “She had a tablet. She wrote hair and wrote lots of other words on this tablet, trying to come up with the name for the salon. She came up with Hair Etc, because she didn’t want to be tied just to the word hair. She wanted to be able to be flexible so that we could do other things.”

A heritage of style

The roots of the business took shape as a small operation in Connie Podeszwa’s basement in 1963, before blossoming into a brick and mortar business.

“I remember hearing all the laughter going on in the basement. When I was a child growing up,” recalled Eva. “When I was probably ten, some time around there, I got to go down and fold towels and shampoo and work behind the scenes in the salon. It was a lot of fun. Hearing all the laughter.

“Even though I grew up in the business, I wasn’t necessarily wanting to do hair,” said Eva. “When I was 14, my mom opened Hair Etc. I began to work as a shampoo assistant because I wanted to make money so that I could buy a car. Also, my parents lived in the country, and that way I could come to town and hang out with my friends.”

Eva admits that at the beginning she was a bit of a tomboy and really had no interest hair or makeup.

“I had to learn how to do hair. I worked in the salon when I was teenager. Then I, decided to get my license, to become a stylist, said Eva. “At the time, we could do an internship at the salon. So, I did not go to cosmetology school. The state had an internship program where I could obtain my license learning right here at the salon.”

Eva became co-owner of Hair Etc. with her mother in 2001, and the salon moved to its current Seminary Street location, taking on a subtle name change as Hairetcetera Salon & Spa to reflect its expanded services. By the time Connie decided to retire in 2009, Eva said she had fallen in love with her work.

“What caught me was the way that we could make people feel,” shared Eva. “It’s amazing how we can make people feel relaxed and be involved in all aspects of their lives. They share their secrets with us, they share their lives with us, and they trust us.”

Today, Eva has honed her craft and business savvy.

“My mom was my teacher, and so I learned everything from her. She was a perfectionist,” Eva said with emotion in her voice. “The things that she shared with me on the business end was to keep changing, keep adjusting, keep listening and learning from your customers, from your team, and from anybody that you can.”

Stylish perfection

Every detail at Hairetcetera is designed to create an exceptional experience, from the high-quality products on the shelves to the personalized consultations that put clients at ease. Eva understands that she needed to integrate retail into her business in order to be profitable.

“Retail is so important to what we do here,” explained Eva. “If you’re going to spend $200 on your color, and you use a $5 bottle of shampoo, that color is not going to last. It just isn’t. So, having the retail to support those services makes a difference. It makes a difference in the longevity of the color and how your hairstyle works for you.

“If all we did was provide the service part of the salon, we wouldn’t have been in business for 47 years,” explained Eva. “Retail helps us build trust with our customers.”

For new customers who walk in, a salon can feel intimidating. Eva noted her team makes sure customers are heard and feel understood. She said the first visit is always critical.

“A lot of times, people are afraid when they’re coming into the salon because they don’t know what to say,” noted Eva. “They don’t know the questions to ask. So, we have questions that we can ask them to help open up that dialogue between the customer and the stylist, making them feel more comfortable. Pictures are essential. We always encourage them to bring us photos. Then we talk through their desired result and what we’re working with.

“We build that trust with our consultations, asking the right questions, and most importantly listening to the answers. Not having an agenda.

“I want people to feel relaxed,” Eva added. “I want them to be able to come in, de-stress about everything going on in their lives, and feel like they can get away from it all.”

Fueling salon success

While many salons operate on a chair-rental model, Hairetcetera takes a different approach.

“There are a lot of chair-rental salons in Galesburg that provide great service,” Eva noted. “Our business structure is different because our stylists and service providers work for the salon. They don’t rent their space.”

This model is gaining popularity again, especially with newer stylists according to Eva.

“The movement is returning to working for salons,” added Eva. “For the last decade plus, it’s been a chair-rental industry. But students graduating now want an environment where they can create. They want someone else to handle taxes, product orders, and logistics, so they can focus on their craft.”

Eva makes sure the stylists who work at Hairetcetera enjoy flexibility and receive support.

“My stylists are either part-time or full-time employees, whatever works for their schedules,” Eva said. “We provide vacation time, time off, education, and flexibility. If they need to leave early, we work around their lives.

“We take care of everything. We keep the color stocked, order products, handle payroll taxes, and manage licensing education. They can walk in the door and do what they love.”

Mentorship & community: The heart of Hairetcetera

What seems to distinguish Hairetcetera as a brick and mortar is Eva’s dedication to mentorship and education.

“Coaching and mentoring are a big part of our salon,” said Eva with pride in her voice. “That’s what sets us apart from other salons. I meet with my team one-on-one every month. We talk about work, personal struggles, goals, and dreams. Then, we come up with a plan together.

“We are unique because we offer both service and retail,” Eva explained. “What I know about retail is the education it takes to truly understand these products and the time invested in learning what works best for each client.”

While big-box stores may carry the same brands, Eva emphasizes that expertise makes all the difference.

“You can go to an Ulta or a chain store and find a bottle of Redken shampoo, but you won’t get the education behind it or someone guiding you to the best product for your needs. Anyone can open a business, but knowledge is what sets you apart.

“Education is essential,” said Eva. “That’s one of the things my mom instilled in me.”

A little salon wisdom

With decades of experience under her belt as a retailer, Eva wanted to offer a few tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those dreaming of opening their own business.

“If I were to give advice to someone looking to open a retail business or a salon and spa, I’d tell them to be mindful of the numbers,” advised Eva. “Know your break-even point, and make sure you’re open enough hours to serve your customers.

“Think about the hours you’re going to stay open,” added Eva. “You have to be available when your customers are. Retailers work long hours. So, if you’re going to open a business, you need to be there for your clients.”

Style built with passion

Stay informed, stay available, and always put your customers first. They are the three essential and non-negotiable winning strategies in Eva’s world of retail.

“I love retail because it’s fun to solve people’s problems,” Eva shared with a smile. “Take a basic shampoo. There are probably three or four that would work for you, but what’s the best one? The one that’s going to give you volume, or calm your hair down? And that’s what’s fun about it.”

At the heart of her heart is Eva’s deep belief that she can make a difference in the lives of her customers.

“It makes me feel great that I can make a living by making people feel wonderful and look great.”