Care and Compassion on Wheels: Elle’s Mobile Salon Services

Native and women-owned business

1 living wage job created

“If it wasn’t for Craft3 taking a chance on me and helping to fund this journey, I would not be able to offer the services that I do,” Elle, owner of Elle Mobile Salon Services, says.

During the pandemic, one of Elle Mesa's clients went without nail care for so long that her untrimmed toenails contributed to a serious fall and a broken hip. The client hadn't wanted to "burden" her family.

Elle started Elle’s Mobile Salon Services to fill this exact gap in care. Based in Spokane, WA and serving the surrounding areas, her salon’s mission is to bring professional beauty and hygiene services directly to clients who are homebound, living in care facilities, or otherwise unable to travel.

A licensed cosmetologist, nail technician, and aesthetician with 15 years of experience working in salons and care facilities, Elle knew this need was real. Clients eventually started to ask if she travelled to people’s homes, which inspired her to get started.

Due to the startup nature of her business, along with limited collateral and credit history, she couldn’t access traditional bank financing. Craft3 saw what the banks missed: deep experience and an essential service. A loan helped Elle purchase a reliable vehicle and the equipment to deliver professional hair, skin, and nail care directly to clients in assisted living facilities, rehab centers, and private homes.

“If it wasn’t for Craft3 taking a chance on me and helping to fund this journey, I would not be able to offer the services that I do,” Elle reflects.

Today, Elle’s Mobile Salon Services is helping a vulnerable community maintain and improve their quality of life through preventative care—and Elle has dreams of continuing to expand.