Full Service Not Just for Gas Stations Anymore

Francel’s Full Service Salon, located at 1511 Garrett Street, has been in operation now since Dec. 1, 2010.  Owner Colette Francel may be new to the area but is definitely not new to the hair and beauty business.  I had the opportunity to meet Francel at her new salon and engage in a quite candid and enjoyable conversation about her and her business.

A Veteran in the Beauty Business

Francel has been in the hair business for 25 years now and started at the young age of 18; she has never looked back.  Ten years in, she decided to expand her interests to massage therapy and has been providing much-needed relief to deserving clients for 15 years.  Francel also is a licensed aesthetician and make up artist thus bringing the idea of a full service salon full circle.

Services at Francel’s include men's, women's and children's cuts, foils, perms and waxing.  Texture services offered also include Brazilians and smoothing treatment — a hard to find service.  Francel also does makeup and formal styling for any occasion.  If you need additional pampering, come on in for some excellent massage service.

Although new to the Enumclaw area, Francel has worked in many high-end salons in Seattle and where she strived to work for only the best; one of these well-known salon artists is Jessee Skittral who hired Francel to be his make up and photo make up artist.  Skittral is famous for his hair styling business which is defined as an art form. And now, Francel can offer her own high-end services but with a down home feel.  

A Signature

According to Francel, everyone should have a signature and hers is the “Inside Out” cut.  She believes that hair should not just be cut on the outside but needs to start from the inside, closer to the scalp and this is exactly what she does — she cuts the interior of the hair first and then moves to the exterior.  When this is complete, the hair is wetted or rinsed again for the next round of clipping.  For Francel, the hair must conform and fit to the skull; one cut and style does not fit every shape and it essentially must be molded to the form of the client’s head.

Francel’s motto is as unique as her styling technique.  At Francel’s, “If your hair is not becoming to you, you should be coming to me.”  She truly believes that one’s hair is a defining signature of a person and of course it should look not only good, but great.  In fact, she will be offering her first class on Sunday, May 1 cleverly named BYOB:  Bring Your Own Blow Dryer.   In this class, Francel will teach her clients and visitors how to style that fabulous new cut they can never do “just like the salon does it.”

At this class, which has been filled to capacity already, customers can learn how to style their hair by first practicing on a mannequin and then on their own hair.  The cost is a mere $10, and 20 percent discounts will be offered as well on hair products and styling tools.  Francel is excited about this event and plans on having more, so keep an eye out.

In the Future

Francel cannot give away all of her secrets but she definitely has a business plan in place for the future growth of her salon and possible future franchise.  She knows that starting small is key and not to spend too much money up front on frivolous items or marketing.  She knows what she does well and what she needs help with and is not afraid to ask.  Francel does plan on hiring a stylist/artist but they will be trained to be full service as well or must come with specified qualifications. 

If there’s one thing for certain, Francel has never looked back and has many possibilities and potential ideas going forward.  She’s a sassy, vibrant woman who knows what she wants and who she wants to work with.  She is becoming an active member in the community and has recently joined the Chamber of Commerce.  Francel is in it for the long haul and in her words, “I’ve got a bright future ahead so look out!”