By Amalia Kortright
When she established Elite Salon in Clanton nine years ago, Amber Price’s goal was to add the highest quality beauty salon she possibly could to her community. She had previously trained in New York City and worked at several of the top salons in Birmingham before she decided to return home and open her own business at only 26 years old.
“I’ve always been from Chilton County, and I’ve always wanted something more upscale than what was already there. I had a plan, and there were a lot of people who supported me. There weren’t many challenges with opening Elite Salon,” said Price. “Like any business owner, I wanted to attract anyone I could. There’s something for everyone here.”
Elite Salon has since moved from Second Avenue to Seventh Street South so they could make more room for their growing number of clients. The salon has also added two members to the six person team they originally started with. When Price started a family of her own, she decided that it would be for the best if she sold the salon.
Leighanne Bice and her husband Brantley bought the salon from Price in April of 2016, and Price still currently works at Elite Salon as the master stylist.
According to Price, Elite Salon is still in good hands. Price feels that she made a good decision in selling her business to the Bices, and she is excited to see what the future holds for Elite Salon.
“Leighanne is a highly motivated and very passionate person. I think that she will take the salon and make it into something even better,” said Price.
Leighanne Bice originally worked as a full time dental assistant before deciding that a hairstyling career was the best career path for herself. She is currently attending the Paul Mitchell School of Birmingham in order to further her career.
“I went to cosmetology school, and I thought that buying the salon would be a good opportunity,” said Bice.
Bice said that highlighting hair and formal hairstyling are both popular services. Balayage, a highlighting technique where hair is dyed to appear gradually lighter at the tips, has also been a popular service recently. In order to stay knowledgeable about everything that is happening in the hair industry, Bice is offering ongoing educational classes to her stylists. She plans on taking these classes as well.
“It’s important to stay up to date with the latest trends and to constantly continue the educational process with our stylists,” said Bice. “All of our stylists are different people. No two stylists are alike.”
According to Bice working with clients is the most rewarding part of running Elite Salon.
“I love getting to interact with people constantly. We try to be as welcoming and encouraging to our clients as we can,” said Bice.
Elite Salon also has a rewards system, where customers can earn points and get discounts on any service. Bice said that the salon is continually making an effort to be involved in the community.
“We try to be as involved with the community as we can,” said Bice. “In the past, we have participated in the Peach Jam in Clanton and the Swedish Festival in Thorsby.”
Bice is also currently planning to open another Elite Salon location in Hoover.
Services include hair cutting and styling, color and texture. The stylists are also proficient in waxing and makeup application. Elite Salon is open from Tuesday through Saturday. Hours vary from day to day. Walk-ins are welcome. However, appointments can be made online at www.elitesalon-clanton.com or by calling (205) 755-0902.