Women in Business Spotlight: Rae Sardegna with Salon Pr3tty and Pr3tty Society
Downtown Oregon City is powered by our small businesses. We recently learned more about one of the women-owned businesses in our community, Salon Pr3tty and Pr3tty Society, and the unstoppable face behind them, Rae Sardegna.
Originally from northern Nevada, Rae has called Oregon home for many years. She opened Salon Pr3tty in 2018 after having an established client base, further saying, “I absolutely love downtown Oregon City because I’ve been here to see the transformation. It’s such a beautiful area,” and she loves the feeling you get when walking along the Willamette River and down Main Street seeing all of the surrounding businesses.
Rae says her husband is her biggest motivator. “We’re the best team to set goals together and he truly believes I can do anything.” They enjoy adventuring, and extreme sports, and more recently they welcomed their greatest adventure yet, their daughter in 2020. Rae loves staying in with her little one or being outdoors riding dirt bikes and cruising with her husband on their Harley’s together.
“Salon pr3tty is home for all your modern needs, we are a full salon with 10 stylists that keep up with education in house and also on their own!” Rae, Salon Pr3tty
You can read countless glowing reviews on their Facebook Page, one woman saying “this salon is the CUTEST! I have been seeing Rae for a few years now and I will never see anyone else. I always leave the salon with a smile on my face feeling as fabulous as ever. The energy in the salon while you’re there is amazing and you can truly tell that all of them love what they do. I will always, always, always recommend Salon Pr3tty!”
Salon Pr3tty’s stylists and esthetician are recommended in cuts, blonding and coloring, waxing and lash extensions, but their list of services offer a variety of specialties.
“Hair will always be my passion, I don’t think I could ever step away from behind the chair,” says Rae. Blonding and extensions are her specialty and a favorite aspect to what she does, mentioning “it takes a good colorist to really be able to get the perfect blonde for your guest in a healthy way.”
When she’s not behind the chair in her salon, she also teaches for a hair company, and thrives on seeing other stylists get the “gratification of helping clients see such a drastic before and after look!”
Every one of the Pr3tty Stylists, Rae included, are passionate about what they do, and you feel that when you walk through their doors. Their clients trust them for hair, beauty and style and enjoy the unique atmosphere.
Walking in, the bright natural light beams through filling the historic building, and the tall ceilings create an open and comfortable atmosphere that guests look forward to. When you’re there, you’ll hear music playing and be surrounded by a community of women ready to give you a fresh look!
Men, don’t worry, you can sit yourself down at one of their chairs for a cut also, but leave the kids at home, because Salon Pr3tty’s experience is to offer guests a refreshing adult beverage during their stay and really want their guests to feel pampered. Many guests enjoy the environment, one online review saying, “the atmosphere is inviting, happy, (and) exactly what you want when you take time for yourself!”
What is your WHY for doing what you do everyday?
“There is no better feeling than helping make people feel good about themselves.” Rae is driven by seeing her clients’ beaming smiles when they “feel pr3tty after getting their hair done.” She loves to curate the perfect outfit and more recently opened Pr3tty Society in 2020, which is a clothing boutique and lash lounge, offering the latest styles and trends on the main floor, and a lash lounge in the loft upstairs. Rae has truly created a one stop experience for her clients.
Pr3tty Society holds regular livestreams on their Facebook page, where they show off the newest clothing items that hit the floor. They ship as well, so if you can’t stop in to the store on 618 Main Street, you can order online through their website!
What lesson(s) have you learned through your time as a woman in business?
“My list grows daily but each lesson makes me a stronger business owner. My biggest lesson is to be a strong woman who can set boundaries right away. Simple and effective.”
What’s a piece of advice for other aspiring women or folks wanting to start their own business or make money doing something they love?
“You’ll never know unless you do it! No matter how scary it seems, just take one step forward at a time! Some days you may be standing still but keep your head clear, lean on your support system and keep going.”
The curveballs were thrown this past year but through COVID-19, the wildfires and the snow/ice storm, she was ignited by keeping her mind clear and aligned with their goals and working with the situation and not against it. “When you can’t change things it’s best to adjust as you go! It’s a learning experience for us all!” – Rae Sardegna
This mama bear doesn’t slow down, and recently released a podcast “for all the Pr3tty girls to listen in to all the girls talk (about) beauty, business, hair, girl talk,” and more, the podcast is called Talk Pr3tty To Me and is available wherever you listen to podcasts. It’s like being in the salon, yet you get to hang out with them anywhere!
Salon Pr3tty and Pr3tty Society is filled with amazing women who are skilled in what they do, do it well, and enjoy every minute of it with their clients. To keep up with the Stylists at Salon Pr3tty, you can follow and reach out to Rae, Megan, Cheyenne, Emily, Carley, Jessica, Camille, Katie, Ari, and Nicole. A couple doors over is Pr3tty Society which has Bree for lashes and Hailey and Noelle to help with all your fashion needs.
Her team inspires her daily and mentions that the team “is stronger than ever and I’m grateful for every single one of them,” and that every pr3tty in each of her businesses “is truly a great human.”
HOW TO SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH SALON PR3TTY AND PR3TTY SOCIETY
Stop in and see them! They’re booking new clients for hair and beauty in the salon and the boutique is fresh and new, with lots of trendy clothing to browse. They really can’t wait to see you!
- Visit Salon Pr3tty at 616 Main St. Suite A, Oregon City, OR 97045
- Follow on Facebook and on Instagram
- Pop in for a shopping experience at Pr3tty Society at 618 Main St, Oregon City, OR, 97045
- Follow Pr3tty Society on Facebook and on Instagram to see the latest styles, and watch their regular livestreams where they show-off the clothing.
To read more about neighboring women-owned businesses in downtown Oregon City, click here to read their stories.
This blog post was written and photographed by Ashleyann Burnett, of Simple Shot Photography, who is a volunteer with Downtown Oregon City Association.