This salon puts fun in children's haircuts with firetruck and airplane chairs, chalkboard wall and toys
A salon at S.W. 37th and Burlingame in Topeka is catering to the needs of children — and parents who dread taking in their kids for haircuts.
Owner Amanda Rice opened Clipeez, 3703 S.W. Burlingame Road, Suite 40 in December. Business has been steady since, she said.
Located near Mommy & Me and Board & Brush Creative Studio, Clipeez features kid-friendly salon chairs that look like firetrucks, airplanes and more. Rice, who has been a stylist for almost a decade, said that she’s dreamed of opening a business like Clipeez since she was in beauty school.
“This is where my heart’s been. This is what I want to do with my career,” said Rice. “I put it off and put it off thinking someone else would do it first.”
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Clipeez takes the stress out of children's hair cuts
Rice, who was previously a stylist at Sport Clips, said that she has learned tricks over the years to help kids feel at ease while getting their hair cut. With two children of her own, she knows haircuts can be a stressful experience for some kids.
“I want this to be a place where kids can say, ‘This is for me,’ and relax. We have kids’ stuff, so they feel like they’re welcome.”
Rice’s small customers also are greeted with a play area that includes a chalkboard wall for drawing, kid-sized tables and chairs, and a variety of toys and activities to keep them busy while they wait.
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Although Clipeez is a child-focused salon, Rice said customers of all ages are welcome. Parents can schedule a haircut for themselves, knowing their child will be entertained during the appointment.
Rice is the only stylist taking appointments at Clipeez but is in the process of hiring additional help. She hopes to add five to six stylists to her team, so Clipeez can offer walk in appointment options in the future.
“With kids, sometimes it’s hard to know when you can get in," she said. "I want to make it easy for people to come in.”
Rice said she typically books up a few days in advance, with Saturday appointments going quickly. She offers a loyalty card program for return customers. Every 10th haircut is half off with the card.
For families looking for a milestone experience, Clipeez advertises a First Haircut Party that includes a child’s haircut, a goodie bag, a photo on the salon’s First Haircut Hall of Fame wall and a lock of hair to take home.
Customers can also choose the Princess Party package, popular for birthday parties or mom-and-daughter days. The package includes guest finger and toenail painting in the salon’s on-site nail room before having their hair styled.
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Children with special sensory or developmental needs welcome
Rice has experience working with children who have special sensory or developmental needs as well. She said she typically blocks off 30-40 minutes so a child can get comfortable with her first. Sometimes they may not even get their haircut the first time they come in.
“When the parents think they’re ready," she said, "we take it slow and walk them through the process.”
Clipeez will celebrate its grand opening event when the weather warms and additional staff joins the team. Rice hopes to have a bounce house and kids’ activities in the parking lot, along with barbeque and food.
“I want parents to know that this is my passion," she said. "I love helping out. I want them to feel like their child is not a burden and to feel that they are welcome.”
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka salon Clipeez offers haircuts for children but welcomes all
