Best friends and BBHHS grads open organic salon and spa in Broadview Heights

by Stacia Naoum

Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School graduates and local residents Kathleen Stanley and Kelley Granfors have been best friends for 17 years. That’s why they wanted their new business, Agape Organic Salon and Spa in Broadview Heights, to be in the same place where they grew up.

“We want to offer the community a salon environment that is new and fresh, with new design concepts and a new outlook on salon environment within staff,” Stanley said.

The salon, at 8121 Broadview Rd., opened in October and uses the organic OWAY (Organic Way) hair color and hair care line, as well as OWAY skin care products.

Italian-based OWAY combines biodynamic raw materials with natural, sustainable ingredients, like pure oils, waxes, butters and emollient plants. Each product uses fair-trade raw materials, is green chemistry-formulated without toxic ingredients and comes with a PETA cruelty-free certification. They come in eco-friendly packaging, like glass bottles and other recyclable materials.

Stanley, who has 12 years of experience in the industry, worked for Aveda before opening Agape and said she recognized the high demand for a cleaner hair color product.

“I fell in love with the concept of a ‘clean-air’ salon,” said Stanley.

A clean-air salon eliminates toxic fumes usually present in the environment by using chemical-free products and treatments.

“While Aveda offered a cleaner alternative to hairstyling, I began searching even deeper,” Stanley said. “When I found OWAY and learned of its organic line, including ammonia-free hair color and Italian-based safety regulations, I was stoked to have the opportunity.”

Agape’s services and treatments are similar to other salon-spas: haircuts and styling, hair color, scalp treatments, waxing (brows to full body), makeup application (including permanent makeup) and facials.

The salon also offers nail services with regular polishes free of the 15 top harmful ingredients and gel polishes infused with vitamins and minerals. An oxygenating base coat is offered to reduce damage to nails.

Stanley has an extensive salon background; Granfors used her humanitarian skills to put together a staff of like-minded individuals who care as much as she does about the well-being of customers. That well-being is Granfors’ top priority, said Stanley.

Agape’s “tribe,” as Stanley and Granfors describe their staff, includes two stylists, an esthetician and a nail technician working alongside the two owners.

“I knew I wanted to create a salon atmosphere that was different, a salon rooted in love,” said Stanley. “Not only a salon that will walk you to your car with an umbrella while it’s raining, because we truly care about the well-being of our guests, but a loving atmosphere within our staff, as well. We believe that when we can create these relationships, creativity will flow more freely and not be stifled.” For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit agape-salon.com or call 216-403-7352. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, 1 p.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. The salon is closed on Sunday.

Feature image photo caption: From l-r, permanent makeup artist and esthetician Jennifer Flasher, stylist Jessica Howard, co-owners Kathleen Stanley and Kelley Granfors and stylist Michele Brindza attend Agape’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo courtesy K. Sorensen