Lauren Craig Salon Celebrates Its First Year

When Terry Lebrun went into her State Street office each morning she looked like she had just walked out of a salon. That’s because her husband, Michael would wake up in their Charlestown condo every morning, make coffee for her and style her hair before work. “My co-workers were so envious - my hair always looked great.”

That gives you a glimpse into the relationship of Lauren Craig salon owners, Michael and Terry Lebrun, who have been a team for 40 years. They readily admit--he’s the creative one, she’s the finance person. Their chemistry together is a large part of what has made their business so successful.

Since he can remember, Michael has always had a creative side. He landed his first job as a stylist in 1977 with Terry’s brother-in-law, who owned a salon many years ago. In 1987, he opened his first salon in Nobscot named Hair Dynamics.

Terry always had a knack for numbers and was the financial head of the household. While Michael owned and operated hair salons, Terry worked at various jobs in Finance, commencing as a CPA working in public accounting and later years transitioned into the financial institutions world.

When it came time for a family, Terry took a break from the corporate world to be at home and raise their children. Michael recalls many happy memories looking back on those days and also the everyday fears you encounter when pursuing your own business.

“I remember signing the lease on our first salon two days after our second child was born,” said Michael. “The risk that was involved and the nervousness we felt, but we just had faith in ourselves and in each other that it would all work out.”

When their youngest child was in high school, Terry decided to attend graduate school. Michael sold the salon he owned at the time so he could play a bigger role in caring for the children. “We have always encouraged each other to pursue our dreams” said Terry. “We both made sacrifices but we knew that our family and supporting each other was our top priority.”

After Terry finished grad school, Michael opened the Lauren Craig Salon originally located in Framingham.

Then, the wakeup call. Michael was faced with an illness that required him to take a year off from the business. Terry and Michael took a step back. While they loved living in Boston, they realized something was missing in their lives.

“When something unexpected hits you like that you realize how important neighbors and community are,” said Terry.

Owning a salon in Framingham, they were familiar with Metro West and heard Wayland had great schools, a close-knit community and was in the midst of building a new Town Center. Living in Boston, they had every amenity at their fingertips, however the thought of a Town Center where they could live, dine, shop, exercise and work was very appealing. When they first toured the new condo they eventually purchased they felt an instant sense of warmth. Terry thought, “This is a place where we will be very happy.”

In 2013 they closed their Framingham salon and relocated to the Wayland Town Center. The salon remained Lauren Craig, named after their children, Lauren 30, and Craig, 28. Many of their clients followed and every employee made the move with them.

Stylist Tracey Mitton who has been with the Lebruns for 22 years explains why turnover is so low. “Michael truly cares about people and his employees. He hired me into my first stylist job when I graduated and I have learned so much from him over the years. He is the best.”

11 year employee, Lauren DiMartino added “It all comes down to Michael. He has built such a strong team and collaborative environment here as he knows that is how creativity thrives.”

Michael believes seeing stylists proud and happy of their work is most rewarding. “We have the ability to change the way people feel about themselves and how they look. We share incredible moments and experiences with our clients and our staff. We love to see our clients walk out the door happy and love the way they look.”

In its first year in Wayland, Lauren Craig has won the Wicked Local Readers Choice Award for #1 Hair Salon in Wayland.

Michael and Terry are grateful to the community and for the incredible warm welcome to the neighborhood.

Lauren Craig invites you to visit their Salon and Color Bar at their Open House on Sunday, November 9th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. for drinks, appetizers, gifts, raffles and much more.

For more information on Lauren Craig Salon visit www.laurencraigsalon.com