You know we love a good pivot. A little over a year ago, we made the decision to change our name from Ginger Salon to Ginger & Maude®. We thought it would be hardly noticed, but WOW, were we wrong. Overwhelmingly, the question we’re continually asked is, “Why?! (And who is Maude?)”
When we first set up shop back in 2008, we chose a name inspired by red hair and its rare, explosively visual fabulousness. This was partly due to our founder having red hair, but also, it seemed the perfect metaphor for the type of standout quality of service we were aiming to provide. While our standard of service hasn’t strayed by any measure from our original intent, as time went on, we realized we needed a name that was more inclusive.
The fact of the matter is, every. single. person who walks through our doors is explosively fabulous, whether the hair on their head is red or any other array of colors; we are a salon for all people, all bodies, and all hair types, and we wanted a name that reflected and communicated that. Whoever you are, however you look, and wherever you come from, you are welcome here. We’re about making EVERYONE feel seen. We’re about creating safe spaces that feel like your favorite familiar place, about bringing people together, fostering meaningful relationships, and supporting our community. To that end, we wanted a name that inspired that feeling of welcome, because a visit to the salon should feel like going to hang out with some of your oldest friends.
But the truth is, the name change went beyond that as well. You see, we love what we’re doing at Ginger & Maude. We’re stoked about the positive changes we’ve made in the industry, and we’re proud to operate on a business model that not only allows for greater impact by creating sustainable careers with livable wages, strengthening our community, and prioritizing our environment but also empowers others to own their own business as well. Our dream is to create that same opportunity for as many people as we physically can and to spread that distinct Ginger & Maude energy we have worked to maintain to as many places as we are able. And what better way to do that than by starting a new franchise business, offering a clear path and resources for others to own their own salon and be a part of Ginger & Maude? With our franchise team ready and excited to guide and assist, it seemed the perfect way to further this mission we’ve held so dear since day one.
To do that, though, we needed a name that was unique in the nation, as there are already other Ginger Salons out there over whose practices we have no say. This meant that, while we had a state trademark, we couldn’t procure one on a federal level, which was crucial to franchising, but also to protecting our name and the image associated with it, since without this trademark, we had no control over other businesses taking on the same name. In deciding on a new name, we wanted one that was easily recognizable as the type of business you wanted to support, because you knew without a doubt it was a business that was working to do better. Ginger & Maude then, are the titular embodiment of our efforts to ensure that remains true; a reminder of how, now and always, we don’t just love hair, we love people.
We hope you'll join us as we strive to show the salon industry how things can be done sustainably and in a way that creates vibrant communities (you can follow along with us @gingerandmaudeinc or get in touch at gingerandmaude.com/own-a-salon!). We’re so, so glad to have you.
P.S. If you REALLY wanna know, Maude is made up—an always grumpy, ever fabulous figment Deanna imagines looking over the salon, yelling at us to make good choices and keep down all that racket.