Published in the Chamber Chronicle

Lava Hair Studio is not just an upscale salon in the heart of the Dawsonville 400 area. It was a dream that came to life through a passion for the art of hair design. Karen Covington was first drawn to Dawsonville by its country feel and its city convenience. She found the perfect spot to make her dream a reality. In a brick building overlooking the North Georgia Premium Outlets, she found a space with a modern, studio feel and large glass windows that provide a beautiful view of the mountains and pointed spires that adorn the roofs of the outlet mall. Next, it was time to design and decorate. She created a salon that is upscale, unique, and modern. Then, she had to give it a name. She wanted a name that wasn’t easy to forget. This came to Karen when she was looking

Next, she had to decide on the brand of products that she wanted to sell in her salon as well as use on her clients. She chose Aveda products because they range from 96% to 100% natural and are better for the health of the hair and for the environment.  Also, Aveda’s color is fine tunable which means the stylist has more control over customizing the exact color that a client wishes for. Another deciding factor for choosing Aveda was that they give back to the community and to the environment through the Aveda Earth Fund.  Also, they help indigenous tribes all over the world to sustain their economies and cultures. Giving back is something that is very important to Karen. Through the years, she has donated her money, products, and services to many different charities such as The Abba House which helps victims of domestic violence, R.E.A.D., Inc. which supports literacy, and the Dawson County Humane Society just to name a few.

The final step was to find the right team. As with any business, it takes time to build a great team of professionals. Karen, Emily, Samantha, and Lindsey are Lava's top stylists. Emily is married and had her first baby in December, 2008. She is a talented stylist who strives to really listen to her clients in order to help them accomplish their hair goals. Samantha came to Lava from St. Petersburg, FL. Karen was instantly impressed by her knowledge and passion for hair. She was hired as a stylist and the in salon educator. Lindsey was a stylist in Atlanta but moved to Dawsonville with her family. She has a flair for style and loves to help others express themselves through their hairstyle.

Holly, Brooke, and Kolton are Lava’s assistants and future stylists. They are in the apprenticeship program which means that they are learning while assisting top stylists so that they can be better prepared for being stylists themselves. They take classes with Samantha in the salon twice a week and at the Aveda institute.

Crystal is our Client Coordinator. She is college educated and believes in giving every client the attention and appreciation they deserve. Vanessa is Lava’s Salon Director. She is married and is a Dawsonville native. Her goal is to ensure that every client’s expectations are exceeded.

These people make up a great salon family and share a common goal of success through giving every client 100%.  Lava’s mission is to ensure that every client leaves the salon looking and feeling their very best. This mission is supported through continuing education which enables the stylists to help client’s discover their ideal style. After all, fashion fades while style is eternal. Every stylist at Lava has gone above and beyond the normal education requirements. They have been to fashion shows, seminars, and classes all over the country including Miami, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. Also, they regularly attend classes at the Aveda Institute in Atlanta and in salon classes twice a week. Lava’s motto is, “Passion is never lost when it is constantly replenished.”

Lava Hair Studio was established over two and a half years ago and is growing stronger every day. Every client receives $15 off their first visit and every hair service includes a scalp massage, shoulder massage, or hand massage.  Lava is a place where the coworkers are family and every client is a friend.