Dreams Hair Studio
Grace Ramirez is an entrepreneur, an independent small business operator who maximizes opportunity to build stability for those around her. She is also ambitious. Trained as an accountant, she went back to school to study law intending to become a lawyer, but circumstance changed her focus. After her mother passed away unexpectedly, she decided to quit school to help run the family business. It made sense to use her financial training to keep a functioning salon solvent and everyone working.
Eventually she expanded, building three salons in Newark and Elizabeth which employed upwards of 21 people. Always looking for opportunity she earned a real estate license, not only to increase her business holdings, but to ensure a path to home ownership for her extended family. Motivated by lessons taught by her mother, she learned that it is better to provide opportunity for others by maximizing effective management practices so everyone profits.
In 2021, Grace sold all of her salons and put the equipment into storage. One day her daughter, Grace Mancias, saw the space at 1516 Irving Street available to rent. Recognizing opportunity and wanting to provide for her daughter’s future, she opened Dreams Hair Studio and laid the foundation for her daughter to take over the business.
Currently, four hairdressers and three barbers are available and do their best to accommodate client’s busy schedules. Grace continues to explore ways to improve and keeps her eye on trends that will enhance the customer experience. Like so many small businesses, word of mouth is a primary means to attract new customers. By taking advantage the Business Improvement Program, offered by the City of Rahway’s Special Improvement District, she was able to improve her marketing outreach and update some of her older salon chairs.