How Tangles Untangled Their Setbacks: A Story of Online Growth

Tangles Hair Salon & Spa is a community-based hair salon located in Holland Landing, Ontario. Sharon Bates, the owner of Tangles opened the salon when she was 19 and the salon continues to thrive in the community 19 years and 3 expansions later. Aside from providing hair and spa services, Tangles believes in giving back to the community. They have been able to donate $100,000 to their local hospital, in part through events they've hosted, such as the East Gwillimbury Women’s Show which brought together over 50 vendors and 400 guests.   

As a service-based business, when the pandemic started Tangles was put into a difficult situation. How could they continue to serve their community when their salon had to close? The answer was by pivoting their business online. The ShopHERE powered by Google program gave Tangles the tools and support they needed to start selling their retail products online.

Sharon states that adding an online shopping section to their website was hugely beneficial in keeping their orders and sales organized.  The salon’s new eCommerce capabilities allow them to receive orders daily for their retail products. Not only have they received online orders from their regular clients, but Tangles’ eCommerce capabilities have also allowed them to reach new clients within their community, from other provinces, and even across the border in the United States. Their new online skills have allowed them to reach their customers in new and exciting ways through gift certificate campaigns and hosting hair styling lessons through Zoom.  

“I don’t know if I ever would have set up an online shopping section of my website if it wasn’t for the ShopHERE program and I’m so glad that I did.” 

 Tangles’ website allows them to take advantage of other functionalities besides selling retail products. When planning for their open house to celebrate their 19th year in business, they used their website to book all appointments and accept payments. Sharon states,  

“It was so great and kept everything organized” 

Sharon has also enjoyed blogging through her site, where she writes about people who give back to the community and about her expertise in the beauty industry.  

As for her experience in the program, Sharon’s ShopHERE Coordinator was able to help her set up her website and educate her on how to use it.  They worked together to bring Sharon’s vision to life. Running a business during the pandemic has not always been easy for Sharon, but her advice is to concentrate on what you can do versus what you cannot do and take advantage of programs such as ShopHERE.  

“It’s a win-win situation and it’s amazing”

If you are interested in learning more about Tangles Hair Salon & Spa as well as the products and services they offer, you can check out their website here.

If you are a small business interested in building an online store, you can sign up for the ShopHERE program here.