Yahoo Finance Fast-growing Wichita business to open on the west side; several franchises to follow
As Kristin Kienzle was preparing to open Utopia Modern Salon Suites near Top Golf in 2022, she said it excited her to think about opening several sites, but she had to get one open first to “find out what we’re in for.”
It turns out she was in for something much bigger that happened much more quickly than she ever could have expected.
Kienzle now is opening her third suite rental concept, this time on the west side, and she has a couple of pending deals to franchise the business for the greater Wichita market and a couple more out of state.
“It was never the grand plan,” Kienzle said. “My plan was to open one so I would have a place to work the rest of my hair-styling career.”
The west-side deal also came about faster than Kienzle planned.
“We had a lot of demand from the west-side beauty professionals,” she said. “We just continue to grow with the demand.”
At the same time, her real estate agents, Tim Kerr and his son, Ryan, both of ReeceNichols South Central Kansas, brought an opportunity at Occidental Management’s Tyler Pointe development at 13th and Tyler where Hurricane Sports Grill is. Broker Charlie King represented Occidental in the deal.
“It happened to be a perfect site for us,” Kienzle said.
She said it’s a great storefront with lots of easy parking.
“It checked all of our boxes.”
Utopia will be next to where the new Mochinut is opening on the south end of the center.
When it opens in September, Utopia will have 13 suites for a range of services.
Eight suites already are rented for a brow professional, hair stylists, an aesthetician and a specialized nail technician who focuses on issues such as ingrown toenails.
Kienzle still is seeking a med spa professional “who can do Botox and fillers and weight loss.”
She has one at her Greenwich site.
“She just does very well, and I love how her business elevates our business.”
As Kienzle has opened more suites, her second was last year at Occidental’s Offices at Cranbrook near 21st and Webb Road, she said she’s learned a lot.
“Size does matter. People are very interested in larger spaces.”
Kienzle said the trick is finding the sweet spot in pricing to keep larger spaces affordable.
At the new Tyler Pointe space, the least-expensive suite will be $265 a week for 114 square feet. The most-expensive single suite is $342 for 137 square feet. Some suites of similar size cost more due to their proximity to natural light.
There’s one double suite with almost 200 square feet for $475 a week.
Kienzle is confident in the new site with the beauty professionals who have already leased space.
“They usually come in with their own clientele.”
She said the west side is a new market but in the same city.
“The west side has been very welcoming. . . . That’s been a really good experience.”
Kienzle simultaneously is focusing on her first franchise deals, which she will begin announcing soon.
“We’re just excited to grow the brand.”
She said she thinks there’s room in the salon suite industry.
“It’s not saturated yet.”
Kienzle said she believes she can compete with other brands that already have a national presence.
She said she “can’t wait to have our brand be a household name.”
