Local Business DRee And Company Builds Relationships

Name of business: DRee and Company

What does your business do? (For example, cut hair, paint houses, cook food, cut grass, write grants, help people get in good physical shape, etc.)   We provide salon and spa services

How long have you been doing this? I have been in this industry for 25 years and a business owner for 13 ½ years

Why are you doing this in Athens? Athens is home for me and when I moved back from working in Atlanta in the mid 90’s, it just seemed like the next career move.  2 ½ years after opening, I opened the first salon/wellness spa, filling a void for those needs under one roof.

What are the advantages of owning a small business? The opportunity to make a positive impact on my community and hometown in many ways.  Build relationships; with employees, other businesses, employees with each other and most importantly, the clients. 

If you could change one thing about owning a small business, what would that be? I think like other owners, over the past few years, it would be the economy.

Do you have employees? Are they temporary, part-time, full-time, new or long term? I only have employees.  Our industry has a lot of independent contractors/booth renters.  I provide jobs for about 13 others currently.

Do you own the place where you do business, or do you move around (like maybe a dog trainer would do) or rent space (to store your equipment)? I was in my first location for 11 ½ years on Prince Avenue.  At the end of my long term lease a decision was made to move, less than a mile to Chase St.  It has been a great move for us.  Who knew how priceless a parking lot was?  And that is just one of the positives of our move.

Is anyone else in town doing what you do? Yes, lots; meaning there are other salons and spas, not sure they provide the same level or type of service we do.  I think there is a place for everyone in this town.

Do you like what you do? More and more every year.  I was truly blessed to have chosen a career that rewards in so many more ways than monetarily.  My passion for what I do is much stronger today than when I started.

Do you have a story to share about how your started your business. (“I realized one day that, yes, I could actually design websites myself. So I started doing this and never looked back.”) Yes, I realized that it was the next step, but I never had goals or plans in the beginning to be an owner.

What are you plans for the future (regarding your business), the future being the next five years?  Just to keep doing what I have been and love doing.  Growing more jobs and opportunities for those that want to be part of the DRee and Company culture and where that will lead us.