By Ava Keller, Bellevue Forward marketing intern
At the vibrant corner of Lincoln and S Sprague Avenue in Bellevue stands Hello Gorgeous – a women-owned hair salon celebrated for its inclusivity and strong community involvement. Owners Kayla and Laura have spent over a decade doing hair, seven of which they spent working together at the same salon. During that time, they developed a shared dream; to one day open a salon together. That dream became reality when a serendipitous opportunity presented itself in 2020. Laura’s friend from beauty school owned a salon at the location where Hello Gorgeous is now. They decided to relocate their business, and not only did they offer their clientele to Laura, but they also offered her the space. Laura immediately called Kayla, and Hello Gorgeous was born.
When envisioning the salon prior to opening, Laura and Kayla imagined a place where people from all walks of life, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, would be treated with respect and kindness. They were driven to create an environment where every customer would feel safe, welcomed, and taken care of. Laura and Kayla would work to build a salon that clients would return to again and again not only for the exceptional services provided but for the warm and inclusive environment that defines Hello Gorgeous today.
In addition to fostering an inclusive environment, Laura and Kayla focused on another key objective: recruiting top-tier talent to join the salon’s team. The staff are down-to-earth, wonderful people and talented professionals who prioritize making every client feel beautiful and confident. The work they do is tailored to each individual’s hair type, style preferences, and budget. Hello Gorgeous has several services to choose from, including different styles of haircut, color, balayage, highlights, cover and refresh, blow outs, extensions, and brow tints or wax. Hello Gorgeous lives to help people achieve their beauty goals and does everything they can to make sure their clients walk out smiling and feeling great about themselves.
Laura and Kayla are forever grateful for the opportunity to build their business in Bellevue. The close-knit community in Bellevue thrives on mutual support, fostering an environment where its residents and businesses can flourish together. The neighborhood has embraced Hello Gorgeous with open arms, just as Hello Gorgeous does to its clients. Laura and Kayla’s favorite aspect of Bellevue is the vibrant community events, including the upcoming events Putt N’ Pour, Night Market, and more. These gatherings offer them the perfect opportunity to forge lasting connections, unwind, and truly enjoy themselves. They encourage everyone to get involved, and love spending time with their community outside of the salon. Their commitment to engaging with the community, both in and out of the salon, is a testament to their passion and dedication. Bellevue is truly fortunate to have Hello Gorgeous as a shining example of the community’s spirit.