Sparta Residents to ‘Revel’ in Revamped New Salon

After 20 years in the hairstyling business, Sparta's Leeann Godfrey has finally brought her dream of owning her own salon to fruition. With the aid of a pragmatic niece and some ‘elbow grease,’ her Revel in Style Salon and Spa located at 174 Woodport Road is quickly becoming a crucial outlet for local clients.

“I’ve had a pretty substantial following,” said owner Leeann Godfrey, formally of Bella Boutique in Andover. “My clients always told me, ‘You need to open up your own shop!’ After having three daughters, it became my dream…so I did it.”

The salon and spa is located at a “beautiful spot” and sits amongst a flurry of other local businesses on Woodport Road.

The business has been in operation since May, but it was under a different name at the time.

Upon its grand-opening on the Cinco de Mayo holiday, Lilly’s Studio and Spa (as it was formally known), had over 180 people in attendance in what the building’s landlord called the biggest turnout in the eight years he’s been owning the property, according to Godfrey.

However, after some internal disputes, Godfrey was forced to make personnel changes, effectively terminating an original partnership.

A ‘Wonderful’ Niece

Luckily, she enlisted the support of her niece, Megan Godfrey, a woman experienced with business start-ups and an operator of a trucking business from her home.

“Megan has been a wonderful help on the business end,” said Leeann. “She did in ten days, what took others months to do. As for me, I’m behind the chair. I don’t have much knowledge of the business aspect – but I’m learning quickly.”

Megan, also a busy mother, has been working the front-desk since the personnel change, attempting to get her aunt’s name brandished about town. 

“I’m helping my aunt get established and connected within the community,” said Megan. “I’m trying to get her name out there, including my work with her to pick a new spa name." 

She works mostly with the legal and insurance ends, and has been a tireless advocate for the salon’s marketing outreach, which has been gaining ground, according to both Godfreys. 

What’s in Store for Revel

Along with Leeann, the new beauty salon and spa has an additional hair stylist, Maryanne Scully, who is also a Pureology artist and does the salon hours on the side of stage and education related work, according to Leeann.

At the location, there are six stations for a stylist, though only the two are currently being filled.

In addition to those features, Revel in Style also offers three massage rooms with an on-hand masseuse, waxing and more. It also has an esthetician, who is superior in her work, according to Leeann, and is currently attending college to become a dietician. 

It also remains the owner’s hope to expand towards a ‘Medi-Spa’ as well, offering Botox and massage therapy. She also plans to have a small jewelry setup on hand for customers in search of a gleaming new gift.

They also anticipate putting forth another Grand-Opening for the business’ new name, and have put together educational sessions run by an outside company, for stylists to learn about the latest coloring techniques.

The ‘Six Month’ Initiative

On whether the two Godfreys have a specific plan set up for business progression, Megan said, “I’ve only spoke to her (my aunt) briefly about a plan (because we’re busy with so much else), but we talked about a six month plan.” With that, they hope to increase the staff size and gain notoriety within the community.

One significant setback toward that plan, however, has been the daunting process of dealing with the Sparta zoning codes, according to the Godfreys.

“There’s one problem,” said Megan. “You can’t really see the location from the road. And we can’t put a sign on top of the building, and the front is filled up. Nor can we put a sign up on the grass, because of zoning regulations.”

To try and remedy this problem, the Godfreys invited the Deputy Mayor of Sparta, Molly Ann Whilesmith, to come out to the location to examine the signage dilemma.

“She’s on our side,” said Leeann. “She said that you can’t even see we’re here – so she’s going to try and work with the town (to try and help set up a solution).”