Kim Brown, Owner
Tanglz
’n Bangz Full Service Salon & Span
Chamber
Small Business of the Month for July
Sponsored by Lafayette Savings Bank
With an extended family of more than 80 brothers, sisters,
their spouses and children and her own, Kim Brown loves big gatherings and good
times. And it’s the same when it comes to her business, Tanglz ’n Bangz,
where a staff of 25 is “like one big family,” she says.
Life,
Work All About Family
Kinship has been key to her success in the 14 years since she launched the
business, which five years ago moved to a custom-designed building of its own at
3802 Amelia Ave.
(446-1122), just off
Creasy Lane
behind Crosspointe Market and near
Unity
Medical
Center
.
The salon and spa occupies 4,500 square feet of a two-tenant, red-brick
building. Inside, peach flowers, gold mirrors and picture frames, and
glass-topped tables with Roman-column bases set a rich tone. The center room
resembles a well-appointed living room, complete with fireplace and mantle
holding homey decorative items. Three-quarter walls provide privacy for each
stylists’ station.
Nearby is the children’s playroom, where young ones can watch movies and
choose toys to play with. “Our salon is a family atmosphere, and we’re
really proud of that,” Brown says.
Besides salon and spa services—hair, nails, massages, microdermabrasion
treatments and facials—Tanglz ’n Bangz boosts its revenues with an exclusive
license to sell Bare Essential makeup in the
Lafayette
area. “That has gone over like 100 times greater than what I thought it
would,” Brown says.
Brown
Runs Business End
Brown herself is not a stylist, nor does she do nails or provide customer
care. “I like meeting and greeting,” she says of her interactions with
customers when they arrive. She’s
also a cheerleader for the staff and the business administrator.
Creating a great working environment is her goal. “I go and pick up
lunch for the girls every day. We have carry-ins every month for the girls’
birthdays. And we have a ‘secret sis’ program, giving little gifts and doing
kind deeds. We look out for each other.”
As for the success of the business, she says, “It’s not me, it’s the
girls. It’s totally the girls who work here.” Stylists
pay a weekly fee to rent space rather than work on commission, “so I don’t
have to count haircuts,” Brown says. Tanglz ’n Bangz is open every day but
Sunday.
Business acumen comes naturally to Brown, who’s helped out her husband,
Doug, at Lafayette Masonry Supply, and with him developed Farmington Subdivision
off
Eisenhower Road
. The two were neighbors who dated while attending
Harrison
High School
.
Family Extends
to Community, Too
Tanglz ’n Bangz is a major community supporter, helping the Cancer
Society, Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club, Colt World Series, women’s
health programs, and more.
Outside work,
Brown enjoys family gatherings. “Three times a year, our whole family camps on
our property that connects to my sister’s. And we all go to
Raccoon
Lake
for two weeks every year.”
When she says, “I love it; I wouldn’t do anything else,” she’s
speaking about her career, but it applies to the rest of her life, too.
________________________________________________________________________________
Nominate
a Small Business!!
The Small Business of the Month Award is open to Chamber members who own or
co-own a business that has 25 or fewer employees, been in business for a minimum
of three years, and the business or it’s owner has a history of community
involvement. Nominations may be
submitted to the Chamber of Commerce for consideration by the Small Business
Selection Committee. Nomination
forms are available on the Chamber
of Commerce website or call the Chamber,
742-4041
. All
monthly winners will be eligible for the Small Business of the Year Award
presented in January.
The
Small Business of the Month is sponsored by
Lafayette Savings Bank.
