Meet Gina Rivera | Founder of Phenix Salon Suites

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Rivera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business, and how does it help the community?

I was inspired to start Phenix Salon Suites by two major factors: my family history and a pivotal moment in my career. I grew up in the salon industry, and it was a big part of my upbringing. My family has been in it for generations, dating back to 1929, so I always knew this was my path. At the same time, I saw early on that traditional salon models did not always support the flexibility and independence that many professionals needed in their careers.

After working in a salon and later renting a chair, I experienced those limitations firsthand. A defining moment came when I had just given birth to my son and was still expected to meet the same rigid obligations. That experience made it clear to me that the industry needed to evolve and better support real life, especially for women balancing career and family.

Shortly after, I opened my own salon, but another major turning point came when I found a space that inspired a bigger idea. I began thinking about how beauty professionals could have their own private suites, where they could run their own businesses, build their own clientele, and truly take ownership of their work. I also wanted to create a more accessible path to entrepreneurship within the industry. That idea became the foundation for Phenix Salon Suites, which I named after my son, to commemorate that pivotal moment when I chose to start my own business.

I created Phenix to empower others. It was not just about opening locations. It was about giving Lifestyle Professionals the opportunity to build something of their own with flexibility, creativity, and support. That impact extends beyond the individual. When someone is able to own their business, it creates a ripple effect in their community through job creation, economic opportunity, and increased confidence and independence.

Today, Phenix Salon Suites has more than 425 locations and supports over 15,000 Lifestyle Professionals worldwide. Through each of these locations, we are helping individuals build their own businesses while also strengthening the communities they serve. I’m proud that an idea that came from my own personal needs as a business owner has grown to empower so many other entrepreneurs.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Phenix Salon Suites is a salon suite franchise that provides private, fully equipped suites for independent beauty, wellness, and health professionals. Our Lifestyle Professionals include hairstylists, barbers, estheticians, nail technicians, massage therapists, wellness providers, and many others who want the freedom to run their own businesses without the overhead and limitations of a traditional salon environment.

Since I spent years working as a stylist myself, I built the concept around what professionals actually need to succeed: privacy, flexibility, independence, and a strong sense of community. Our suites are designed to feel personal and professional, allowing each Lifestyle Professional to create a space that reflects their own brand and vision.

Another major differentiator is the diversity of professionals within our locations. While many salon suite concepts focus primarily on hairstylists, Phenix has evolved into a much broader beauty and wellness ecosystem. That creates a more dynamic environment for both the professionals and the clients visiting our locations every day.

On the franchise side, Phenix offers entrepreneurs a semi-absentee business model with recurring revenue and strong operational support. We’ve also continued to innovate through flexible buildout models and international expansion, helping franchisees grow in a way that works for today’s commercial real estate landscape.

At its core, Phenix is about empowerment. We’re creating opportunities for people to take ownership of their careers, build wealth, and operate businesses on their own terms, and that mission continues to drive everything we do today.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shout out my family, for continuing to support the Phenix Salon Suites venture through every stage. Phenix Salon Suites was named after my son, Phenix, making it a family business from the very start.

Website: https://phenixsalonsuites.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautyexpertgina/

Image Credits
Phenix Salon Suites