913.362.CHOP

Salon styles with ’50s flair

TETONA DUNLAP | THE KANSAS CITY STAR
Chop Tops, a Merriam hair salon, offers a relaxed, retro atmosphere. Stylist Jenny Button recently gave her father, Jim Button of Spring Hill in Johnson County, a haircut.
Company: Chop Tops, A Hair Company, 5805 Merriam Drive, Merriam (913) 362-2467 www.choptops.net
Owners: Cilla Holopter and Pedro Mora
About the company: Chop Tops isn’t your everyday hair salon — no pink, no purple, no mauve, according to Holopter. Instead, customers feel as if they’re in a museum from the 1950s. Hair artists provide haircuts, custom hair color, design waves and body waxing. A gift shop, called the Parts Department, carries clothing, jewelry and accessories.
Owner’s roles: “We both play an active roll in the salon. We are your salon coordinator; we sweep hair and clean bathrooms. Whatever needs to be done, we do it.”
How long did it take you to start the business?
“The idea for Chop Tops was conceived about two years ago. We knew we wanted to indulge our passion for the retro lifestyle, music from the ’50s and love of hot rod and classic cars. In October 2005 we signed the lease. We had our grand opening party Dec. 10. With the help of friends, family and even our landlord, we did all of the tenet finish ourselves and customized every aspect the way we wanted it.”
What has worked for you?
“We believe that our drive for success and desire to create a positive and supportive work environment for our team has kept us going. Also we understand the need to self promote. We understand that every customer through our door can be a lifetime of not only revenue but also a friendship.”
What was your biggest challenge?
“Even with excellent credit, a business plan and money down, our biggest challenge was obtaining financing. Banks are leery to loan on salons due to the high failure rates. After four attempts with bankers, we decided to use our own savings to open Chop Tops. That’s how much we believed in our concept.”
Did you reach a low point?
“For the first five months, payday was a stressful event. To overcome this, we set realistic goals for our team and ourselves. Our team knows every financial obligation we have. We hide nothing from them. They understand about 84 percent of every dollar generated pays our bills and payroll. Sharing this with them makes them work harder to achieve our salon goals.”
How do you compete with other salons?
“We concentrate on our concept and simply run an integrity-based business, provide quality services, stay educated on trends and build relationships. We don’t have much money to spend on advertising, so we partner with other businesses. Our environment is definitely unique, and our atmosphere is very laid back. We follow the culture of the ’50s.”
What is your background?
“Pedro’s educational background is in aircraft maintenance, and he worked for Delta Air Lines here in Kansas City for 16 years. Pedro is lead vocalist and upright bassist for Kansas City’s rockabilly trio The Rumblejetts. I have been a licensed hair stylist for 21 years. My biggest education in this business came from working for Bijin Salon & Day Spa in Prairie Village. Bijin was my first job out of beauty school. The owners took me under their wing. I owe a lot of my success to them.”
Any advice for others starting their own businesses?
“If you’re passionate about something, design a business plan around what you know. Don’t open a business to make money — open it to provide an experience for your customers. Most importantly, if you’re going to have staff, make sure you help them obtain their goals and strive to help them achieve a high quality professional career and personal lifestyle. Your staff is your key to success.”

| Ruth Baum Bigus, Special to The Star