SALON ON POINTE

Ensuring that all clients feel and look their best

by Cristi Sanchez



Hardworking, determined, and unstoppable, Chanda Kinney has built and grown her business, Salon on Pointe, to become a lasting enterprise on the Suffolk landscape.  Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Chanda was raised by her grandparents and, while close to them both, she had a very special connection to her grandfather.  "He was my person," she reveals tenderly.  "He's gone now, but I still have everything he taught me.  He was my compass on how to live my life, do the right thing, and he instilled a good work ethic in me."

Both of Chanda's grandparents unintentionally set her on the path to her career.  "My grandparents were very practical people, especially when it came to learning a trade versus going to college," Chanda shares.  "They encouraged me to enter vocational training in high school before going to college so that I'd have a trade to fall back on if I needed it."
So, Chanda heeded her grandparents' wisdom and entered cosmetology vocational training in high school.  While there, her instructor offered an opportunity for students to earn their first 300 working hours to prepare to take the nail technician exam.  With her ambition and work ethic in full swing, Chanda jumped at the opportunity.  "I had my nail tech license before I was even able to work!" she laughs.  

As soon as she turned 16, Chanda got a job as a nail tech while continuing high school and her cosmetology training.  As it turns out, taking her grandparents' advice actually worked in Chanda's favor.  Cosmetology turned out to be the calling that she loved.  Upon graduating from high school, she took a job at a salon and spent a year as a stylist and nail tech,
Chanda moved to Virginia in 1994, and the ever-diligent hard worker began searching for a job.  "I lived in the Churchland area and was having difficulty finding stylist openings," she explains.  "Eventually, I stopped into Lois Little Hairstyling.  She already had 10-12 stylists on staff, but she didn't have a nail tech.  So, I took the job."

After 12 years as a nail tech, Chanda decided it was time to step out and take a leap of faith to open her own salon.  "Having done this practically my whole life, I always knew that, eventually, I wanted to have my own shop," Chanda states.  "After all this time, I finally had the experience and resources that I needed and decided it was time."

In 2006 Chanda opened Salon on Pointe in Governor's Pointe, and her years of hard work and dedication paid off.  The business prospered and grew.  "Within a few years of opening at our original location, we had to expand the shop," she reveals.  "In June of this year, we moved to our new location in Bridgeport, where it's more convenient.  We're super excited about it!"  

Chanda's particularly excited about the salon's décor, which has tons of character and simply oozes New Orleans.  "We have a French Quarter theme.  I love New Orleans, and I'm a little obsessed with older vintage items," she admits with a chuckle.  "Even my dog is a French Bulldog named Beignet!  She's actually the inspiration for our pet wall where we post photos of our employees' and customers' pets in antique frames."



The talented management team of Salon on Pointe. (From left to right) Autumn Saunders (lead stylist), Lacey Williford (operations manager), Candy Joyner (social media manager), and Chanda Kinney (owner).


"We have a French Quarter theme.  
I love New Orleans, and I'm a little obsessed with older vintage items.
Even my dog is a French Bulldog named Beignet!  She's actually the inspiration for our pet wall where we post photos
of our employees' and customers' pets
in antique frames."
- Chanda Kinney


The new location isn't the only recent development for Chanda and some of her stylists.  Since November 2019, they've tirelessly traveled back and forth to New York City to train in private classes under renowned stylist Laara Raynier.   Trained in London and NY, Laara's styles have been featured in Vogue, Allure, Marie Claire, and Modern Salon magazines.

"It's been so exciting and a little intimidating, working with her," Chanda reveals.  "It was a great experience and opportunity to learn under a master stylist!"

While the prestige of her experience with Laara Raynier is not lost on Chanda, prestige is not the humble stylist's focus.  In fact, Chanda herself shuns the spotlight, and she readily acknowledges that the salon, though it's her business, is not about her.  "I cannot stress enough that there is absolutely no way this business could be successful without my team. Our Lead Stylist, Autumn Saunders, has been on board since 2008. Operations Manager Lacey Williford keeps things running smoothly while Candy Joyner does a fantastic job as our social media manager. And, of course, there are 12 other very talented salon and spa providers. I'm nothing without this dedicated team.  It takes all of us working together to make this the high-quality salon that it is."




As soon as clients enter Salon on Pointe, they are enveloped in the glamour and magic of New Orleans.

Outstanding quality is critical at Salon on Pointe, but it's not just about the high-quality products and techniques that they use or the quality training they receive.  It's about quality service to their clientele, and it harkens back, once again, to Chanda's lessons from her grandfather.  "He taught me to always do what's right, and always think of what's best for the whole, treating people well, fairly, and with kindness." And Chanda takes that to heart, making sure that her clients all receive the best she and her team have to give.

"We serve clients of every age to make them feel and look their best.  We want everyone who leaves here feeling beautiful."
- Chanda Kinney


To ensure client satisfaction and good results, customers fill out initial intake forms to communicate their needs, then have a consultation with their stylist to ensure those needs are met.  "During the consultation, we pull up pictures of styles they like or want, print those pictures out, and attach them to the form because sometimes it's difficult to communicate the exact style they want.  We take the time to really listen and find out what clients want so that they can have the best experience possible," Chanda stresses.



A glistening bar surrounded by antique barber chairs and illuminated by chandeliers creates but one of Salon on Pointe’s many gorgeous focal points.


"During the consultation, we pull up pictures of styles they like or wantWe take the time to really listen and find out what clients want so that they can have the best experience possible."
- Chanda Kinney


Salon on Pointe is a full-service salon offering hair, nail, and spa/skin treatments.  Chanda is quick to point out that their goal is to make each and every client of any age feel special and beautiful.  "We serve clients of every age to make them feel and look their best.  We want everyone who leaves here feeling beautiful."

When entering cosmetology training in high school, Chanda Kinney had no idea she was embarking on her future career. However, through the advice of her grandparents, the teachings of her grandfather, and the support of her essential salon team, she has made Salon on Pointe a success by providing the kind of high-quality service that would make her Grandpa proud.




Salon on Pointe

1500 Bridgeport Way
Suffolk, VA 23435

757-238-9733







www.salononpointe.com