Hair-cutting duo hopes low prices attract clients to new Ottawa salon

Two Ottawa women are seeing their dreams come true after opening their own beauty salon four months ago.

Katy Yohe and Gina Brannan opened Cutz and Tanglz, 119 E. Second St., in February.

“I think everyone who starts out in this business dreams of owning their own shop,” Brannan said. “This is where our dream came true.”

Yohe and Brannan worked at another Ottawa salon for years and have a strong clientele following. Both felt despite the slow economy, the time was right to go out on their own.

“As soon as we found the location we went for it,” Yohe said. “It took three weeks to get the renovation done and we were ready to open. We’ve had a lot of support from other salon owners and stylists. Not all, but a lot.”

The price structure at Cutz and Tanglz intentionally was set a little lower than other area salons.

“The economy right now had something to do with that decision, as did our side-street location, but we’re both moms with three kids each. We know what it can be like on haircut day,” Brannan said.

Both women smiled when asked if starting a brand new business in the middle of a recession was a little unnerving.

“Yeah, but we felt it was right,” Yohe said. “And, we were right. People might be trying to make a color last a little longer by coming in every two months instead of every six weeks, but we’ve already paid off the bank loan we took out for the remodeling and we bought a new refrigerator for the break room last week.”

The salon is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.