From cut and color to paint and drywall, the Roots and Mane team transformed an old gym into one of Lone Tree’s leading luxury salons. Co-owner Marissa Harmon shares what it takes to plant roots for her family-owned business and how her banking relationship played a pivotal role in securing a space for their business to flourish.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Marissa Harmon and delve into how she, alongside her sister and brother-in-law, bravely pursued their entrepreneurial dreams.

1. Start by telling us a bit about yourself: your company, how many years you’ve been in business, what makes your organization unique, etc.

My name is Marissa Harmon, and I own Roots & Mane, a family-owned and operated business, along with my sister Jessica and her husband Jeremy Crimi. We’ve been in business for seven years, creating beautiful hairstyles and happy clients. What makes our salon unique is our commitment to offering a luxury experience that’s also warm and welcoming. We like to think of it as a little oasis of pampering in your busy day. Plus, our family dynamic adds a personal touch to everything we do, making sure every visit leaves you excited to come back and visit Roots & Mane soon.

2. How did the business start, and how is it going today? 

Roots & Mane started with a simple idea: to offer a luxury salon that also feels warm and welcoming and provides consistent and high-quality services. Today, we’ve grown into a well-respected brand with a loyal customer base. Our clients keep coming back, and we find new ways to make them feel fabulous.

3. Describe a challenge the business faced and how you overcame it.

One significant challenge was the sudden supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. We overcame this by diversifying our suppliers and partnering locally. Additionally, we offered rootkits to go, allowing clients to pick up everything they needed to touch up their roots at home. With clear directions, these kits helped our clients feel their best even while staying at home. We took great pride in our color kits and in being able to offer services through such a challenging time.

4. What is your proudest achievement as a business owner or leader? 

Our proudest achievement is the strong and supportive community we’ve built around Roots & Mane. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our customers return and recommend us to their friends and family.

5. What initially drew you to choose FirstBank as your banking partner, and how has that decision contributed to your business’s success?

FirstBank came highly recommended to us by our parents. They have owned and operated a family business called Affordable Door Company, servicing garage doors in the community, and have used FirstBank for over 30 years. This made our decision to choose FirstBank easy, and it has been instrumental in our success, providing us with the financial tools and information needed to grow and manage our business efficiently.

6. In what ways has FirstBank demonstrated flexibility and understanding in adapting to your business’s unique needs and circumstances?

FirstBank has been exceptionally flexible, offering loan options for our specific business model. Their understanding and willingness to work with us on unique challenges have been invaluable. Plus, their customer service is top-notch. When you call or email FirstBank, they promptly respond and provide clear, understandable solutions and answers to any questions. It’s like having a financial superhero on speed dial.

7. How has your relationship with FirstBank helped you navigate periods of growth or expansion for Root & Mane?

Our relationship with FirstBank has provided us with the financial support and resources needed during critical growth phases. FirstBank helped us secure a nearly $400,000 commercial real estate loan to purchase our space and extended additional capital to help fund renovations and product purchases. Their timely and accessible financing solutions have allowed us to expand and sell our product lines within our salon and ensure sustainable growth. With their help, we’ve been able to turn our little salon into a bustling hub of beauty and relaxation.

8. What do you hope to see the business accomplish in the next several years?

In the next several years, I hope to see Roots & Mane expand our presence both locally and regionally, introduce new innovative products, and continue building our reputation as a leader in luxury salon services. Our goal is to reach a wider audience while maintaining the quality and personalized service that defines us. After all, who doesn’t love a good hair day?

For more business success stories like this, visit efirstbankblog.com.

“This page may contain links to external websites. These links are displayed for your convenience. FirstBank does not manage these sites and assumes no responsibility for the content, links, privacy policy, or security policy.”