FAST FIVE Salon-savvy Selah Glendening says: 'Be you!'

Meet Selah Glendening, owner of Sélon Coeur d'Alene at 3500 N. Government Way.

Selah began her career as a cosmetologist in 2013, after completing a two-year Resort Academy program, which was located at The Coeur d Alene Resort. She absorbed so much on the hospitality industry, and in combination with being homeschooled K-12, was set up well to be running a business. Selah thinks business comes easy to her because her parents had been entrepreneurs since she was young. She was helping with bookkeeping, manual labor, projections and planning, events, taxes, product orders, conferences, etc. The skills required to run a business can be broad, but fun!

Selah was married 11 months into cosmetology school, and a week after graduation pregnant with her first child. She and her husband now have three children and recently celebrated 11 years of marriage. Selah’s grandparents, parents, four brothers and three sisters are all still local, four generations born in Coeur d Alene!

1) How is business at Sélon Coeur d'Alene, which first began as a blow dry bar?

We began at The Stylebar, where we strictly did a wash and blow dry — known as a blowout. The service takes about one hour and the hair gets washed, and it’s dried with round brushes to create volume and slight curl. It was a tricky start, too many of us locals are simply not that fancy to need a regular blowout. We switched to full service after three years and began offering cuts and color services same as any normal hair salon. 

2) What are some popular trends and services people are asking for at this time, and do you have any New Year or Valentine's promotions to highlight?  

We don’t generally do many promos, simply because like a lot of small businesses, we are absolutely slammed busy these days! Post-COVID fall out … right? I would say the most popular service is the balayage or foilyage (same outcome, different technique), which is a natural-appearing placement so that the hair looks great and has lovely contrast for a long time.  

3) What are a few things you love about helping people look and feel beautiful?

I live for the TRANSFORMATION. I love when the client comes in feeling just frumpy. It’s been too long since any TLC has happened, and I get to come in and do the magic and make them feel simply beautiful. 

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

My first business was when I was 15, I milked cows and sold the milk. Shhhh, don't tell — it was actually illegal to sell raw milk when I was young.  

5) What is your favorite beauty life hack that you can share with us?

I don't know that my “hack” would be appreciated, but I say be you. When you try too hard to manipulate your hair or your looks to be something you are not, people can tell! There is something so attractive about just existing and letting curly hair be curly or not covering freckles or grey hair.