LOCAL BUSINESS
Premier Cuts has been getting rid of split ends and giving new do’s to San Marcans since Feb. 10, 2005 but has since grown to five locations from Round Rock to San Antonio. Brian Olson wrote the business plan for the salon with Sabin Steinbacher while they were still in classes at Texas State University. And the salon wouldn’t be what it is today without an employee that has been around since its inception, Velma Villalongin, who has been a hair stylist since 1979.
The salon itself caters to everyone.
“Premier Cuts is a salon for the entire family and is not focused on one demographic, and we work hard to be at an affordable price point,” Olson said. “We have been honored to be recognized as the Best Hair Salon from the Best of Hays for eight years and staff receiving best Hair Stylist as well. We are known for the child’s airplane chair that keeps a child’s attention away from the haircut.”
Villalongin was the first stylist interviewed, and her last 20 years with the team have been incredibly “rewarding,” according to Olson.
“I look forward to her being with us for another 20 years,” Olson said. “Velma was born and raised here in San Marcos and received her cosmetology degree from SMHS. She is the backbone to Premier Cuts and is willing to travel to the other salons when help is needed. She is heavily requested by so many customers. It is really cool to see her cut [the hair of ] so many generations of so many [different] families. There is not a haircut she can’t do, and she has more shears than any other stylist in town!”
Villalongin started as a stylist, but within four months, was a manager. She does a little bit of everything needed to keep the place running smoothly.
“I do the schedules, payroll. I help our new stylists when they come in. I kind of get them used to doing things the way that we do things here, and if they need help with a certain cut or whatever, we go over that with them. I do training and just whatever they need help with,” Villalongin said. “I go help in Kyle, New Braunfels, Round Rock and San Antonio, wherever I’m needed.”
There are many things that have kept her at the business for all these years, particularly the inclusion of the stylists in decisions.
“I like that he asked for our input and everything that we do here,” she said.
Villalongin also appreciates her customers, many of which she has watched grow up right before her eyes.
“I am from San Marcos, and I know a lot of the people here,” she said. “I’ve seen some of my clients grow up and have kids of their own, and now they’re grandparents. I like that.”
Olson said many of his employees have been committed to the company longterm; he has some staff members that have been with them five, ten and 15 years, and each of them have bolstered the team immensely.
