MENU
SEARCHAfter falling in love with a diver she met while working on a cruise ship, English hairstylist Rachel Smith took her passion for indulging vacationers to the Lone Star State.
Opened in August of last year, AriaHouse Spa sits above its sister salon, Razmataz Hair Salon, which opened in 2004.
Opened in August of last year, AriaHouse Spa sits above its sister salon, Razmataz Hair Salon, which opened in 2004.
Originally from Plymouth, England, AriaHouse Spa owner Rachel Smith travelled the world as a hairstylist onboard cruise ships for five years before settling down in Georgetown, Texas, where she lives with her husband, a former diver who also worked onboard.
Owner Rachel Smith poses in front of the salon’s stone wall exterior. AriaHouse is located in the historic downtown district of Georgetown, Texas.
“We travelled to a lot of exciting places, some of which were tropical,” Smith recalls. “As you can imagine, I spent my days off in the Caribbean lounging on the beach and sipping margaritas.”
Although Smith gained a wealth of cultural knowledge and collected unforgettable memories while onboard, she says it could be stressful: Clients were often on tight time deadlines for dinner reservations and frequently cancelled appointments due to sea sickness. There was also the adjustment to living and working with teammates in small quarters. Despite this, Smith describes the experience as “magical.”
“We motivated each other, and as a team we were unstoppable, always striving to hit our personal and business goals,” she says.
But eventually she decided to get married and start a more traditional life with a stationary home and career.
In 2004, she opened Razmataz Hair Salon, which has received recognition from Salon Today and won Austin’s Battle of the Salons. In August 2017, she opened AriaHouse Spa on the floor above.
She carried her aptitude for cohesive teamwork, strict punctuality, and relaxing services at sea into the two salons.
The salon has a clean look with original wood floors, and gray and white furniture and walls.
Because Smith already operated Razmataz below, opening a second business was instinctive. However, her world had always been hair, so she had to expand her knowledge of nail and spa services. AriaHouse now offers a customizable menu and uses locally made products by FarmHouse Fresh.
“We’re more intimate than other nail salons, and our clients can choose from different lotions, scrubs, and masks — we have spa services that last from 15 minutes to two-and-a-half hours, so our clients have a lot of choices,” she says.
Downtown shoppers often stop by AriaHouse for a foot soak with their choice of relaxing aromas like coconut cream and rosemary mint tea.
AriaHouse uses products from the local skin care brand FarmHouse Fresh.
Smith wanted to find the perfect fit for the role of lead nail tech when they expanded into the nail-focused second floor. But the hunt was proving to be difficult, and it occurred to Smith that perhaps her beauty-loving receptionist, Emily Davis, might be interested in the opportunity. The two worked out a deal where Smith paid for Davis to attend school.
AriaHouse also supports the whole team with onsite trainings and monthly meetings, while the salon offers its clients a vast array of services, from nails to spa to hair to retail. No matter whether a client or employee, Smith says she wants everyone involved to embrace the salon’s slogan: “Escape reality and find tranquility.”
Square data shows that regular customers tip 11% higher and are shared across 32% of businesses in the same ZIP code, driving thousands of dollars in additional revenue per connection.
When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.
Sponsored by Amex
Inside the Systems That Power an Elevated Salon Experience From seamless online booking to a team-first culture, J Gold Salon in Atlanta offers more than great hair—it delivers consistent, high-touch service with the help of partners like Boulevard and American Express.
Sponsored by Amex
Want to grow your career as a beauty professional? K18 Sales Manager Sabrina Sanborn shares advice on networking, mentorship, and self-advocacy—from attending hair shows to finding the right guidance to reach your goals.
A combination of clear policies, effective communication, and strong client relationships has helped me create a more reliable and efficient booking system.
Founded by Cleveland serial entrepreneur Shaura Rodgers, Nailtorious has grown to include a nail supply megastore, training facilities, and retail line for nail techs.
This period after the holidays can bring on a huge lull for hairstylists. We asked Cosmo Prof's team of professionals to offer their best advice on how to deal with the January-February slow period.
Key highlights include a push toward inclusive spaces for all abilities, an emphasis on maximizing livable square footage, and a continued love for modern farmhouse exteriors.
The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.
Sponsored by Amex
Want to become savvy about your personal finances, but don't quite know where to start? Anna Manukyan identifies six important concepts for building a strong financial foundation.
Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.
Sponsored by Amex
This guide is your one-stop shop for a plethora of technology tools, software and services created to keep your salon or spa thriving.
Anna Manukyan shares a breakdown of what different types of financial accounts should be used for.
Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.
Sponsored by Vagaro
Young Nails' Greg, Habib, and Tracey discuss whether getting too close to clients can damage your business.
This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.
Education is necessary for beauty professionals to maintain their cosmetology licenses, and paying for that education can be burdensome, but it doesn't have to be. Understand which education tax credits can help you offset those costs.
