Hi Sarah! Tell us about your Journey leading up to Owning “Uplift Salon + Spa” in Sunnyside.
Hello everyone! I’m Sarah Riggs. Ive been a part of the beauty industry as a passionate hair stylist since 2006, dedicated to making people look and feel their best.
My commitment to excellence led me to become a national cutting and styling educator for Aveda in 2012, where I’ve had the privilege of sharing my expertise and love for the craft with others all over the country.
In 2016, I took a leap of faith and became a salon owner, alongside three amazing business partners. Together, we expanded Three Cutters Salon and Skincare into the Sunnyside neighborhood, a place where we poured our hearts into providing top-notch services and building lasting relationships with our guests.
As the years went by, my vision for the salon evolved, leading me to take on a more significant role in its direction. In early 2022, I made the decision to buy out my first business partner, taking a step towards shaping the salon’s future.
And in late 2023, I took another bold step by acquiring full ownership of the salon and spa, and rebranding it as UpLift Salon and Spa. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, learning, and transformation. I am proud to be a fully woman owned local business in Denver.
Now, as the sole owner of UpLift, I’m dedicated to creating a space where everyone feels uplifted – not just through exceptional hair and skincare services but through genuine connections and a sense of community.
Why did you choose Sunnyside for your business??
In 2016, my business partners and I were looking for a new neighborhood to expand to. We enjoyed the Sunnyside neighborhood and saw a lot of potential for growth. The spot we are in on 41st and Tejon, was initially out of reach as our landlord was eyeing it for a restaurant or brewery. We explored other options and landed on a spot in LoHi. It was a cool space in a historic residential four-plex. We poured our hearts into it, spending six months working through challenges to get our space just right. But, after many difficulties with changing the zoning of the space, we had to let that lease go.
However, that setback turned out to be a blessing in disguise! We realized our dream spot on Tejon was still available. With renewed determination, we pitched our vision to our landlord, emphasizing our commitment to the community and our long-term plans to stay and grow. Now, here we are 7 years later, proud members of the Sunnyside neighborhood. I can’t help but smile when I see familiar faces strolling by – whether they’re grabbing goodies for their pets at Lily’s Bath and Biscuit, sipping on a latte from Cherry Bean, or indulging in a meal at one of the fantastic restaurants nearby.
Being part of this community isn’t just about running a business; it’s about building connections and contributing to people’s everyday lives. And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the community in Sunnyside.
What are the various types of services you offer at Uplift? What do you specialize in?
Our speciality is diverse and it depends on who you see! We all offer truly customized service for every guest that sits in our chair or lays down on the treatment table. Our goal is simple to make sure you look and feel your best by the time you leave!
I have people on my team who specialize in the bread and butter of hair like grey coverage and layered hair cutting (both short and long lengths), people who love curly hair, people who specialize in hair styling (braids, blowouts, and updos), people who create beautiful blended dimensional colors, and then more vivid and fun creative fashion colors!
In the spa we have the best speed waxers, people who will make your skin glow, and someone who loves lashes! As well as the best massage therapist in Denver, who has a strong, effective, and soothing touch!
I encourage you to check out our website to learn more about my team and see who you gravitate towards! https://www.upliftsalonandspa.com/meet-the-team
Salon Services:
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Haircuts
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Colors (All over, highlights, balayage, fashion colors)
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Hair styling (blowouts and special occasions)
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Keratin Smoothing Treatments
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Scalp Treatments
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Strengthening/ Moisturizing Hair Treatments
Spa Services:
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Face/Body Waxing
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Facials
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Dermaplaning
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Organic Skincare Treatments (Alternatives to Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion, Hydro-Jelly Masks, Customized Multi-Masking)
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Lash Lifts/Tints
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Brow Laminations/ Tints
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Massage (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Medicine, Cold/Hot Stone, GuaSha, CBD, and Poultice)
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Fire Cupping
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Body Scrubs and Wraps
Do you have any “Before” and “After” Photos of Clients?
We love providing personal services for hair and esthetics, it is so cool because it allows us to make a difference in people’s lives for their overall well-being and confidence! We get to express our creativity and love a before and after!
Here are some of our pictures:
Are you from Colorado? Which neighborhood did you choose to call home?
I am native to Colorado. I grew up in Parker when it was still a cow town, and both my parents owned their own businesses there. My family moved to the burbs in Greenwood Village in the early 2000’s. I have lived in Englewood, downtown in RiNo, the golden triangle, in Cherry Creek, and bought a home just outside of Harvey Park in 2017.
My husband and I worked countless hours remodeling our home in Harvey Park and enjoyed the area. We liked getting to see the mid-century homes get updated. The neighborhood was great for being close to the city and easy to hop on I-70 to get up to the mountains. We had our first daughter in March of 2022. My husband and I both wanted our kids to grow up outside of the city. We sold our home at the end of 2022. We have since been looking for a piece of property in the mountains to build our dream home!
What makes your salon the unique or the best place in Denver to get Grooming Services done?
At our salon and spa, we don’t just see you as an appointment time – we see you as a valued guest, and building meaningful relationships with you is at the heart of everything we do.
When you step into UpLift where you’re not just pampered, but cared for as a whole. Our highly-trained team, many of whom hold national educating titles with Aveda and Oway, are dedicated to providing you with top-notch salon and spa services that leave you feeling refreshed and looking your best.
It’s not just about the services – it’s about sharing our knowledge and passion with you. We believe in the power of education, whether it’s helping you discover the right treatments for your goals or teaching you about the benefits of organic hair and skin care products for your overall well-being. We’re here to empower you with knowledge about how your hair, skin, and muscles function best, so you can look and feel your absolute best.
And here’s something unique: we operate on a non-tipping/gratuity basis. We are professionals and we know our craft extremely well. For us, the greatest reward is seeing you walk out feeling and looking your best, because we know you will be excited to share about it with your friends and family.
What challenges have you experienced along your journey?
Oh boy! Honestly, there are too many to recount here. I think most business owners can relate. The world is different than when I started out back in 2006. Information is so easily accessible, but the understanding of the information doesn’t always go hand in hand with how quickly someone can do a google search.
Social media can distort the expectation of what is possible for professionals in the beauty industry. Whether that be from a client’s perspective of what is possible to realistically re-create to meet their grooming goals; including what services are involved and what the investment is. Or on the professional side, with a new generation of workforce who struggle to understand the idea of having to put in the work to get to where you want to be. As I have found most challenges require open communication and persistence to change the outcome.
How would you describe the Personality or “Vibe” of Denver?
I would describe the “vibe” of Denver as a blend of urban energy and outdoor adventure. The city has a laid-back atmosphere with a mix of things to do. Whether you are looking for a new restaurant to try, a dog friendly place to grab a drink, or a chance to be outside and move.
We have an amazing craft beer scene and so many delicious culinary experiences (like our Michelin Star neighbors, the Wolf’s Tailor, they are right across the street from us!) There are so many great places to meet up with friends and family to try something tasty.
Or getting outside in one of the numerous parks or trails for a walk, run, or hike. I love getting to go out around Sloan’s Lake! And of course, if you are looking for the true mountain experience you can choose your own adventure from skiing, snowboarding, hiking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, white water rafting, or even taking a beautiful scenic drive through the Rockies.
Shout out your team here!
My team is absolutely incredible! They are kind, caring, down-to earth people with big hearts and immense talent and knowledge. They are the best in Denver at what they do! From blissful shampoo’s (I mean who doesn’t like having their hair washed?) to perfectly crafted cuts and customized hair colors, to speedy and precise body waxing, the most beautiful natural eyebrows and eyelashes (shh, our secret is lash lifts and brow laminations), indulgent facials, and hands down the most relaxing massage you will ever have, my team can do it all!
Website + Social Media for “Uplift Salon + Spa”?
If new guests mention finding us from Denver Vibe at the time of booking they will receive
20% off all their services during their first visit with us now through July 31, 2024!
Give us a Call 720-510-2360
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