EnV Salon owners relocate to Willoughby, where they started
Jan. 29—Things have come full circle for Danielle Toth and Maryann Melaragno.
Friends who attended Willoughby South High School, the two started their journey in the cosmetology industry in Willoughby over a decade ago and recently moved their business, EnV Salon, from Eastlake back to the community.
After about eight months of renovating what was once The Gourmet Soap Market, Toth and Melaragno opened their full-service, Aveda concept salon at 37917 Vine St. at the end of October.
"It was a beautiful day," Toth recalled. "We got lucky with having warm weather. There was so much restoration that had to go into this. We wanted to make it like an art gala. Your client is your canvas, so we're minimal, simplistic and bring out the natural beauty in this building."
Regardless of how old or young they are, the two owners encourage clients to stop in.
"There isn't one service we don't do to be honest, hairwise and agewise," Toth said. "This is an industry where we give so much and we try to build confidence in our customers, but in ourselves. It's been such a rewarding job and it's one of those jobs where you walk out, and you feel accomplished. After that day is done, the next is a fresh, new day."
Melaragno said her relationship with Toth is like that of a sister.
"We're able to tell each other things that we were not so happy with, but in a respectful way," she said. "We've never gone below the mark, so in that respect, we work well. We have complimentary personalities where there's things (Toth) excels at and I have things I can really do, and it doesn't get in the way."
Between Toth and Melaragno, they have a combined 40-plus years of experience in the industry. A graduate from Brush High School's program, Toth began working in an Aveda concept salon when she was 16. Since then, she has become an Aveda color educator.
Melaragno began her journey at the Euclidian Beauty College. After assisting for only eight months with an Aveda salon, she started to build her client base. For Toth, Melaragno was always a mentor.
"She was that mentor I looked up to," Toth said. "Maryann paved the way. I was in awe with everything she did. She started off super young and I was still in high school, but we ended up working together."
Though the Aveda brand requires a year of assistantship before hitting the floor solo, Toth, who wanted to learn the Aveda culture, was granted permission to begin within six months.
"I think a lot of schools teach you what you need to know to pass the state boards, but as for apprenticeship, I think a lot of girls need that," Toth said. "They need to see the ins and outs, the daily routine and even just the conversation with customers. When you're 17 years old and you have a 35-year-old sitting in your chair, it's intimidating. So, trained on every aspect, not just hair, but feeling comfortable and starting to become confident with yourself."
As their relationship grew, Toth and Melaragno had a vision to own their own business.
"We learned a lot and we were super appreciative of the opportunity we've had with Aveda," Toth said. "We did start off in a smaller salon in Willoughby and then we opened up on Vine Street and Route 91 in the back of the Captains' stadium."
In deciding to relocate to Willoughby, it was important to find a space with a parking lot and to bring a certain culture to clients, Toth said.
"We think that we have that different edge," she said. "Anyone who owns a salon and can have more than four girls — it's pretty cool. We have seven, not including our receptionist, so that speaks a lot on our behalf to retain stylists."
Despite the coronavirus and having to change business plans a bit, everyone feels relaxed at the new location, Melaragno said.
"We wanted to find something closer to this area and come back where we started," she said, noting that Halloween was the first day open at the new Willoughby location.
The owners hope to make EnV more of a wellness center going forward and install glass doors at the front of the building so people walking by may stop in, and feel that welcoming vibe, Toth said.
"I always felt this was the community we needed to be in," she said. "We've had so many other business owners stopping in just taking a peek. Most of the owners of the businesses we grew up with."
The salon's current business hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
"We do have online booking, so you can book 24/7," Toth said. "We are so excited to be down here and be a part of the downtown."
