Carla Gentle: Harper Salon, Los Angeles
Carla Gentile had only been in business for a few months when she installed a pop-up shop offering sunglasses from local L.A. designers. Since then she’s partnered with other businesses like hip British retailer Topshop. “Having pop-up shops in the salon is a fun way to collaborate with other vendors,” says Gentile. “We use both of our mailing lists to reach a different crowd to market our goods and services.” The pop-up shops change every three months to keep retail options fresh. Gentile also donates 10 percent of the profits from merchandise sold to L.A.-based charity Children of the Night. During L.A. Fashion Week, the salon partnered with other vendors—a jeweler and a handbag designer—on a trunk show to cross-promote their businesses. Naturally, they shared each other's mailing lists, a win-win.
Open Door Policy
Image: From Left: Nicole Hartmann, Carla Gentile and Nikki Pittam.