Thomas Roberts Salon Begins a New Chapter in Plymouth

When Nicole Young first walked into Thomas Roberts Salon in 2005, she never imagined she would one day own it.

Nicole first joined Thomas Roberts Salon in 2005 as a stylist early in her career. After stepping away from the industry to raise her children, she later returned to the salon she had always admired for its professionalism, structure, and welcoming atmosphere. What she did not expect was that returning to a familiar workplace would eventually lead to the opportunity to preserve its legacy as the salon’s next owner.

Today, Nicole is the proud owner of Thomas Roberts Salon, a beloved Plymouth business celebrating more than 25 years in the community. With advising and support from Janie Wang (NH SBDC), Nicole successfully navigated the challenging process of purchasing an established business and is now leading the salon into a new era of growth.

A Familiar Place with a New Vision

Nicole always admired the way former owner Tom Roberts operated the salon.

“I enjoyed the way Tom ran the business,” she said. “The structure, the routine, the cleanliness. Even his thought process of how he did business made sense to me.”

When Tom mentioned plans to eventually sell the business to an employee, Nicole initially assumed someone else would step into the role. But over time, she realized she wanted to preserve the salon’s strong foundation while adding her own energy and ideas for the future.

Finding Guidance Through the NH SBDC

Nicole was referred to the NH SBDC by one of her clients, just as the purchase process was beginning.

At the time, Nicole admits she felt overwhelmed by the unknowns.

“I had no idea what the process looked like,” she said. “I had no idea what a business plan was.”

Working with the NH SBDC helped bring clarity and structure to the process.

“Definitely at ease,” Nicole recalled. “They were pointing me in the right direction and giving me guidance on what to do next. I was given a checklist.”

Turning Challenges into Momentum

With support from the NH SBDC, Nicole tackled every major step involved in acquiring and modernizing the salon. She navigated financing options, developed a business plan, completed legal and pre-sale requirements, and established her LLC.

When the first bank turned her down for financing, she was encouraged to keep moving forward and explore other options. Nicole ultimately secured funding through the NH Community Loan Fund.

She also received a $2,500 equipment grant that helped support salon upgrades and improvements.

“The constant guidance and the many emails back and forth were unbelievably helpful,” Nicole said.

Since taking ownership, Nicole has introduced online booking, updated salon software, expanded services, and strengthened the salon’s online presence through social media, website updates, and improved Google listings.

Growth You Can Feel

The results have been immediate.

The salon saw February revenue increase by $2,700 compared to the previous year. The month prior also showed a $1,700 increase, including $800 in retail sales alone.

“We’re up $2,700 for February compared to last year,” Nicole shared proudly.

Beyond the numbers, the salon has built renewed momentum within the community. Nicole is expanding the wedding team, plans to hire another stylist, and is becoming more involved with local organizations and events.

Advice for Future Entrepreneurs

Nicole’s experience has transformed the way she views business ownership and reinforced the importance of asking for help.

Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple.

“Use the NH SBDC,” she said. “They were helpful from the very beginning, including when I was setting up my LLC, and continue to be an invaluable support.”

With a loyal client base, a thriving business, and trusted guidance along the way, Nicole is honoring the legacy of Thomas Roberts Salon while confidently shaping its future for years to come.