Columbia and Harvard Business School graduate Piersten Gaines noticed a market gap for women with highly textured hair. She wanted to transform the salon experience by making an establishment dedicated to women of color, focusing on saving women money, time, and effort.
“I had a lot of really terrible salon experiences throughout my life,” said Gaines, in an interview with Fortune. “We (Black women) spend a lot of money, a lot of time in salons, and the level of services just do not match the money we’re spending. My goal is to make quality hair care accessible.”
After positive feedback from the likes of Kevin O'Leary of "Shark Tank" fame, the idea for Pressed Roots, a luxurious salon boasting exquisite design and specializing in natural, silky blowouts for textured hair, came to fruition. Gaines started by hosting pop-up events in cities like Boston and Atlanta. However, her Texas roots drew her to establish the first brick-and-mortar outpost in Dallas' Trinity Grove neighborhood in 2020.
Pressed Roots' first Houston location will open May 9 in the Centre at Post Oak. Photo via Pressed Roots/Instagram
Following the success of her initial venture, Gaines expanded, opening two more salons in the Dallas area before turning her attention to Houston. Pressed Roots' first location outside of Dallas will open on May 9 in the Centre at Post Oak shopping center.
On the salon's website, Gaines writes a letter to fellow "highly-textured girls" stating that she wants Pressed Roots to be the place "that can consistently press your beautiful tresses in a fast, yet healthy way." She goes on to say that her stylists have each successfully completed the "Pressed Roots boot camp, where they have perfected the art of the blowout and know what's right for every hair type."
The nearly 2,000-square-foot salon boasts 50 stylists and a beautiful aesthetic featuring muted tones of pink and brown. The decor is feminine, with rounded edges and natural materials. All of the stylists at Pressed Roots will be trained under the salon's proprietary program, ensuring a quality experience for every customer.
Pressed Roots offers a range of services, including the signature silk blowout in various styles such as silky straight, loose curls, or beach waves, along with additional services. Pressed Roots clients can expect an online hair quiz when they book their appointment to note their curl pattern, hair porosity, and desired style. At the time of their appointment, a stylist will go into even further detail regarding the results of the online quiz to determine the exact services. The goal is to complete washing, conditioning, and styling within 120 minutes.
The Galleria area salon also provides VIP stations for private experiences upon request. Clients can browse through a carefully curated collection of Pressed Roots stylist-approved wholesale products and tools, ensuring their hair is maintained between services.
Pressed Roots, 5000 Westheimer Rd, Suite 118, Houston, TX 77056
Photo courtesy of Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots founder Piersten Gaines.
