Acorn Cultivates New Hampshire's First Organic Hair and Beauty Salon

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Company: Acorn Organic Salon

Located: 495 Central Ave., Dover, N.H. 03820

Contact: 603-617-3830
acornorganicsalon@gmail.com
http://www.acornorganicsalon.com

Other Related Sites:www.skindeep.com; www.greenalliance.biz.

The Biz: Acorn’s website displays a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” This philosophy exemplifies Acorn’s eco-friendly business practices, sprouting as the first organic hair salon in New Hampshire.

Owners Allison Degan and Laura MacKay worked together in beauty and hairstyling for eight years prior to Acorn. After discussing opening a salon together, Degan further proposed going green.

Degan’s inspiration to do so stemmed from her daughter’s struggle with eczema. When the skin condition wasn’t going away, Degan researched the disease online and happened upon the website for SkinDeep, an environmental workers group that analyzes cosmetic ingredients to reveal safe products versus those that are actually toxic. Through extensive research regarding the ingredients in shampoos and products her daughter used, Degan bought different, safer products without the toxic chemicals that she hadn’t known about before. As a result the eczema vanished.

The revelation regarding unknown toxic chemicals in shampoos and skin products changed Degan’s approach when shopping. Now informed, she couldn’t help but wonder how her research could benefit her clients in a salon environment.

McCay and Degan have informed their clients of the research they’ve collected, making customers, who may not think to investigate the products they’re using, more aware. Clients are thrilled to have a share in spreading the word and practices of organic hair styling and cosmetology, according to Degan.

“There’s tons of people out there that don’t have a place to go [for green products],” Degan explained. “We offer organic products, but also research product lines.”

So, Degan and McCay did the research that many people may not think to do. They spent months researching optimal ways to incorporate sustainability into every part of their business.

The salon uses products that contain natural ingredients and have no chemicals, dyes, herbicide or pesticides. Organic Color System, the ammonia and P.P.D free hair color at Acorn, is plant-based and healthier for consumers. John Masters Organics, Shear Miracles, Sparitual, Phyto Organics and Onesta are other brands Acorn uses. None of the products have been tested on animals.

Acorn recycles hair clippings and donates them to a company that makes mats for absorbing oil spills. Instead of plastic caps, Acorn collects spare Shaws and Hanneford bags from customers to use as covers to product bottles. Recycled furniture makes up the salon’s interior design and all of the salons materials and products are sustainable.

Acorn’s location in Dover, where there is a green gas station down the road and a consciousness about sustainability, supports Acorn’s mission and allows it to thrive.

“We’re in such a progressive area,” Degan said. “A lot of businesses in Dover have taken a step in that direction.”

As Acorn takes the first step in New Hampshire toward organic hairstyling and cosmetics, the business hopes these practices catch on elsewhere, and, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, create a forest.

The Word: “One of our goals at Acorn is to get the word out about the different choices that everyone can make in their life…. The customers love it. Here, I think that people feel they are part of the team. They’re involved…. They feel good that they’re giving something back.” – Allison Degan, Co-Owner

Your Maine Business: Every week, Exception contributor Jessie Sawyer profiles a Maine business. Let us know about your company by emailing Editor@exceptionmag.com.

Photo courtesy of the Green Alliance.