Soul Beauty Salon Opens With Community Support
Soul Beauty Salon opens in downtown Klamath Falls; KCC’s SBDC guides the purchase process
KLAMATH FALLS — The tradition of beauty services in downtown Klamath Falls continued with the grand opening and ribbon-cutting for Soul Beauty Salon on Friday, Nov. 21.
A crowd of family and well-wishers helped new owner and operator Ana Mendez cut the ribbon in front of the salon, located at 121 N. Seventh St.
Mendez, 22, purchased the salon from her aunt, Olivia Valencia, who successfully ran it as Serenity Salon for nearly 20 years.
Soul Beauty Salon offers a full range of services, including:
Hairstyling and color
Esthetics
Manicures and pedicures
Facials
Brow tinting
Massages
Mendez credits Klamath Community College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for helping her create a business plan, navigate payroll and tax requirements, and finalize the purchase.
“I sought advice from SBDC because other businesses along Main Street had mentioned they worked with them as well,” she said.
“My brother has a business degree from KCC and was able to assist and guide me in the process, too,” Mendez said. “He is now a senior with OHSU nursing so has come a long way and has been by my side every step of the way. My family also owns and runs another businesses, which has helped me as well.”
When the opportunity came up, Mendez took out a loan to get things started, and, with her family's support and guidance, she is hopeful for the salon’s future.
“But I always knew I would be a salon owner one day,” she said. “My siblings and I have always thought of a variety of possible businesses we could own.”
A graduate of KCC’s School of Cosmetology, Mendez has worked at the salon for three years and plans to give back by supporting cosmetology students with supplies and offering them space to practice after graduation.
“I know what it’s like to start out on your own, so I want to help other students as well,” Mendez said.
KCC will offer a new degree — Bachelor of Applied Science in Business with an emphasis in salon management —for those interested in owning their own spa. The degree, available in fall of 2026, focuses on business management, but can also be used to obtain a marketing or sales position in the rapidly expanding national beauty market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for salon managers is projected to grow 13% through 2028, faster than the national average for all occupations.
Soul Beauty Salon employs five staff members and will retain many long-time clients from its previous ownership. Mendez’s parents, Sonia Mendez and Rene Perez, expressed pride and excitement for their daughter’s new venture.
The salon is open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 458-233-5364, and you can follow Soul Beauty Salon on Instagram and Facebook.
Cover image: Friends and family help Ana Mendez, center, cut the ribbon to celebrate her ownership and opening of Soul Beauty Salon at 121 N. Seventh St in downtown Klamath Falls on Nov. 21.
Article and photos by Klamath Community College
