Business #43: Fusion Cut and Color Salon
Warren Jimenez
Fusion Cut & Color Salon advertises itself as fun and funky with a classic approach. The shop on Capitol Highway in Multnomah Village has been a barber shop or hair salon for over 50 years. When daughter - mother partners Tamara Marshall and Adrienne Selker took over the shop a few years ago it had been a local barber shop for a long time. Guys who have come there most of their lives, now mix with new customers of all genders and all ages.
Tamara and Adrienne love being a part of the Multnomah Village community. They enjoy the sense of support and appreciation the merchants have developed for one another. Earlier when we were visiting with a neighboring shop, Tamara dropped by to say hello and the owner took the moment to book her next hair cut. Multnomah looks like an old fashioned neighborhood and welcomes visitors and customers with friendly small-town hospitality.
As I visited with Tamara, Adrienne was cutting hair and talking with a man who was obviously a regular customer. His hair was looking good and he was clearly having a pleasant visit. Tamara said that “our business starts with word of mouth and is built on trust between the hairdresser and client.” Business is doing well, and it is gratifying that many customers come back, often asking for more and different services. They may start out with a cut, but liking what they receive, they come back for a perm, coloring, or to try a different style.
As with some of the other village businesses, when I asked what I could do to help, Tamara suggested assistance in getting the word out about Fusion and Multnomah Village. She also wants the city to be supportive in helping areas like Multnomah stay neighborhood oriented, and wants City Hall to be aware of the hidden taxes that are tough on small businesses. Her example is the bus tax. It isn’t a big tax by itself, but add it with others and raise the level and suddenly businesses with low profit margins are being hurt. Keeping our small businesses thriving is crucial for Portland and will always be a high priority of mine.
Posted by Warren Jimenez on February 11, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, Southwest Portland
Comments by site visitors
thank you for the great press on our small town biz.
tam
Posted by: tamara marshall | Jan 23, 2006 3:32:46 PM
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It's nice to hear success stories like this one. "The business of America is business." an often over looked quote in a society ever more dependent on government.
Thanks, Gary
Posted by: Gary | Sep 30, 2005 8:58:19 PM