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In the first in our new Meet the Manager series, we meet Laran D'Estachio who has helped Owner Peter Evans grow the single location Stella Nova Spa Salon into three locations, while launching four Barrelli Barber locations.
June 26, 2025
3 min to read
Stella Nova Spa Salon's Regional Manager Laran D'Eustanchio and Owner Peter Evans toast their many years together growing the business into three salon locations and four Barrelli Barber barbershops.
SALON TODAY’s Meet the Manager series celebrates the managers, team leads and directors who help carry out the vision of salons, spas and barbershops, motivate team members and hold them accountable and create an elevated guest experience. In this profile, meet Laran D’Estachio, whose can-do attitude and knack for spying a good hire keep Stella Nova Spa Salon and Barrelli Barber in Charleston, South Carlina constantly growing.
The Manager: Laran D’Eustanchio, regional manager
Nominated by: Peter Evans, owner of Stella Nova Spa Salon and Barrelli Barber in Charleston, South Carolina
Date of Laran's Hire: March 1996
Salon Today: What was Laran’s background or experience which made you believe she’d be a great manager?
Evans: “Laran has worked for me for 29 years, and while she did not have a lot of experience in our industry, I recognized her as being bright, hard-working, and willing to do whatever it took to succeed and complete the task at hand. She grew within our company from when we were only one location, working as a front desk receptionist, telephone scheduler and assistant manager. As she became a manager, she has helped us growth the business and open new locations, and now she is our regional manager of three Stella Nova locations and four Barrelli Barber barbershops which we opened eight years ago.”
ST: What makes Laran a great manager?
Evans: “She has the attitude that whatever it takes, she will do it. She is a wonderful leader and very adept at hiring the right people. She follows directions well and always takes responsibility for her actions. She truly has helped to grow the businesses where we are today with more than 100 employees and seven total locations. She’s helped to build this company to a $10 million business.”
ST: How is she compensated?
Evans: “She is compensated with an annual salary, and was gifted a partnership in the barbershops. Laran also gets yearly bonuses, a car allowance, a company credit card, covered travel expenses and more.”
ST: What are the most important tasks Laran takes on?
Evans: “Her most important tasks are hiring, training, coaching and mentoring. I consider them all in one. She is a great leader and role model to the team.”
ST: How is she held accountable for the business’ performance?
Evans: “We set monthly, quarterly and yearly goals, and basically she knows what we need to achieve to make these happen. She is held accountable if we don't make the goals--not in a negative way--but she takes it to heart just as I do, if we do not attain those goals.”
ST: How often do you meet with Laran, and what do you go over when you do?
Evans: “I meet personally with her once or twice a week, but sometimes maybe only a few times a month. But, we text throughout the day, and no matter what time of day or night if there is something that arises we are both available for each other.”
ST: What types of continuing education does Laran attend?
Evans: “She has attended events by The Salon Association, Aveda, Bumble and Bumble, R+Co and any other educational event she wants to attend.”
ST: How has this manager made your life and your business better?
Evans: “She has made my life so much easier because I do not have to be in the locations on a daily basis. I could leave for a month if I chose, and I’d know that the business would be absolutely in the best hands. While she claims that I have been a great mentor to her, I have equally learned so much from her over the years. Quite honestly, without her hard work and great effort, our company would not be where it is today.”
If you have a manager you'd like to nominate for this series, learn more here.
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