Local business opens its doors amid pandemic

Its doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.

News 18's marvin bills joins us in studio to talk about how the owners gained confidence to open a small business during covid-19.

Good morning, marvin.

Good morning, marlee.

For these owners the goal was to stay optimistic while making a dream come true despite the many obstacles small businesses have had to face during this time.

Some people may say it's risky to open a business during a pandemic but not for the owners of violet grey studio in downtown lafayette.

"we opened the first day of december."

Kelsey burton and kaylee (lay-nen) lehnen met while working at a local spa in lafayette.

Both girls had a dream to open a hair salon.

"this has been a long journey.

The idea has been in my mind for about two years."

The girls signed a lease for their new 1500 square foot space in august of this year.

"after a while it was just a natural progression of us being inspired to bring lafayette a space that is creative, beautiful, that would our clients feel super comfortable in."

In a curious time when establishments such as hair salons and barbershops are threatened by the pandemic burton says this business venture was a leap of faith.

"absolutely it's definitely scary to open a new business during a pandemic but for me personally i was at a point in my career where i couldn't allow myself to be held back by any fear."

-and with that attitude over the course of four months kelsey and kaylee went to work preparing a safe space for their services amid covid-19.

"it's been a long time coming and so being downtown is super fun and we are super excited to be a apart of the community, it's just a relief."

Co-owner kaylee lehnen says both her and kelsey had to have confidence in each other to turn this dream into reality.

"honestly i never had a doubt buying a business with kelsey we were really excited when we thought of the idea i don't think we ever had a doubt in our minds."

With that courage violet grey studio is open to the public and even during unprecedented times these workers are making strides to provide a great service safely for their clients.

Violet grey studio is open tuesday through saturday from 9 a-m to 4 p-m.

For more information visit this story on our website that's wlfi dot com.

In studio, marvin bills news 18.

Thanks, marvin.

Lafayette