Ginger Bay Plans to Make Town and Country Beautiful

is a locally owned, full-service salon that’s been pampering customers since 1991. In 2008, the Kirkwood-based salon was purchased by attorney Laura Ortmann, who had been working as the company’s in-house counsel. Ortmann said she fell in love with the salon and gradually became more than just its attorney. She decided to make a career shift, and after five years at the salon, she accepted an offer to buy it rather than open her own law practice.

Technically, Ortmann is still a lawyer, which is a great asset for a business owner, she said.

“Law is not my focus—this is my baby,” Ortmann said of Ginger Bay. Ortmann said that Ginger Bay was already an excellent company when she took over. The salon staff were all employees, not contractors, which is a common practice in salon and spa industry.

She added a matching 401K to her employees' benefits package and introduced an “open book” style of management. She said that letting her employees in on the company’s financial outlook encouraged them to be accountable for the salon’s success. During 2009’s sour economy, Ortmann said Ginger Bay increased sales and traffic. In 2010 and 2011, it was named a top 200 salon in the nation by Salon Today magazine.

Now, Ortmann is looking to expand her business and has set her sights on Town and Country.

“What’s not to like about Town and Country?” Ortmann said. “It’s been on my wish list.” Ortmann said that Town and Country is far enough away from her Kirkwood location to not compete with it, while also being home to the type of clients who would most appreciate her salon.

The new store is set to open in December in Town and Country Crossing. Ortmann said she's signed an 11-year lease and will hire 22 new employees to work at the new location. Staff will include hairstylists, nail technicians, a massage therapist, an esthetician and makeup artists. The store will eventually employ 45 workers.

Ginger Bay is currently the largest single location Aveda salon and spa in St. Louis, according to spa staff. Aveda, based in Minnesota, touts its manufacturing of “green” beauty products with as much organic and naturally derived ingredients as possible. According to Aveda's website, Aveda is the first beauty company to use 100% wind power— its Minnesota offices and manufacturing plant purchase energy from local wind farms and they purchase energy credits to offset power usage at Aveda-owned offices across the country. Aveda skin and hair care products are packaged in containers made from recycled materials.

Ginger Bay follows suit with Aveda’s environmental stance. The salon uses biodegradable gift cards and all their printed materials use paper with post-consumer recycled content and soy ink.

The salon and spa offers a variety of luxury services from haircuts and color, manicures, pedicures, waxing, skin care, and massage.

On the Horizon:

Get Digital Seminar: The seminar will be moderated by Mitch Meyers—founder and former CEO of Zipatoni and pitchwoman behind America’s favorite party animal, Spuds McKenzie, at 9 a.m. Nov. 10 on the Martiz campus in Fenton.

You’ve Got a Friend At The SBA: Meet Becky Greenwald, Region VII Advocate for the U.S. Small Business Administration at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at Westborough Country Club.

Business After Hours: Join the West County Chamber of Commerce for an evening networking session at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Orchard Village Apartments in Manchester.