New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
New Milford native’s salon hopes to ‘Elevate’ experience
NEW MILFORD — Elevate. It’s a simple word, and one that felt right for New Milford native Amanda Hine’s new business venture.
This was the first hair salon she had opened on her own, despite more than 15 years in the business, and she wanted a name that encapsulated both her own big step, something that implied growth, and the kind of experience she wanted clients to have.
When Hine’s father told her that the former Paras Style was being sold this past summer, she initially wasn’t interested. But he asked again. Two days later, they went to see the space. By the end of the week, Hine was signing paperwork.
Since August, Hine has been running the hair salon at 28 Old Route 7, which does cuts, color, and hairstyles for all genders and ages. The salon remained in continuous operation as the name and ownership changed, and new stylists came in.
An official ribbon-cutting took place this month to welcome Hine and her new business to Brookfield. In attendance were First Selectman Tara Carr and State Rep. Steve Harding, R- Brookfield.
“We are so pleased to welcome Amanda and her entire Elevate team to our town center. On behalf of the Town of Brookfield we wish her much success as she launches her new business,” Carr said in the town’s official press release.
Born and raised in New Milford, Hine began working in a salon during college to make some money. She took her first job at an Aveda salon in Ridgefield at 21 and never looked back.
“When I started, I just really loved it,” she said. “I enjoyed talking to people — hearing stories, and just the culture behind it all.”
Hine even worked out in San Francisco for a while, training and worked at a salon downtown. She eventually moved back to Connecticut and took another job
with Aveda.
She loves every part of working in a salon, and especially the family aspect. Hine said she has been able to bring most of her clientele from Ridgefield over to her new spot in Brookfield. The client base has grown through word of mouth and referrals.
One of Hine’s favorite parts of her job is the relationship with the person in the chair. She hears about travels, families, hardships — everything.
“I enjoy growing with the family,” Hine explained. “I have people who are now getting married that I started doing their hair when they were 10.”
There’s something about facing a mirror and not having to make eye contact
that Hine said makes it easier for clients to open up.
“You learn a lot about people and it’s cool — their stories and where they came from,” she said. We’re fortunate that we get to hear every part of it. We can create that safe place for people, especially within the past couple years, people need that.”
Hine said her staff is specifically trained on making the clients feel comfortable and getting them to open up. “We do a lot of training on how to communicate with people, to figure out their lifestyle and their needs,” she said.
“One of my clients just recently said, ‘When I’m here, I just feel comfortable,’ and I feel like it’s a direct reflection of who I am as a person.”