Small Business Spotlight: The Refinery Salon

By Amber Keister
Photography By Jonathan Fredin Jan 4, 2021

When Beverly Reddinger opened her salon in Southern Pines nearly 15 years ago, she wanted to give her clients more than the perfect hairstyle. The Refinery Salon has always been about “an elevated guest experience,” she writes on her website. Her clients clearly enjoy the pampering.

“Every service commences with a neck, shoulder and head massage followed by a luxurious shampoo and aromatic hot towel conditioning treatment,” said Reddinger.

Refinery Salon owner Beverly Reddinger washes the hair of client Dawn Jordan-Maser.

In March 2020, she moved her successful business to Cary, little suspecting that the pandemic would force her to close a few weeks after opening the new location.

Now that the salon is open again, many of her clients make the drive from Southern Pines to Cary. Others showed their support by voting for the salon in the 2021 Maggy Awards, winning the business an Honorable Mention in the Best Hair Salon category.

We spoke with Reddinger recently about the business and her challenging year.

Andre Freckleton and Beverly Reddinger

What are the benefits to working with family?

My husband, Andre Freckleton, is a huge part of The Refinery Salon. We met while I was going to school at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in London, and we spent two years traveling back and forth visiting each other. He was born and raised in London, but he absolutely fell in love with the South, the kindness of strangers and warmth he felt from everyone.

After moving here a couple years ago, I was consumed trying to run both sides of a bustling business. His background is in sales and finance, so it seemed only natural for him to help me. I honestly would not be as successful without his help managing the business side of The Refinery Salon.

What makes Cary a good location for the salon?

Cary was a great fit for The Refinery as we have watched the area grow and still maintain its natural beauty. We saw so many luxury hotels, restaurants and believed a true luxury salon was just what Cary needed.

Due to the amazing service The Refinery provides, we still have many guests who travel from the Southern Pines area, where we were previously located.

We knew Cary was ready for a salon like The Refinery!

Dawn Jordan-Maser has her hair styled at The Refinery Salon in Cary. Owner Beverly Reddinger says the perfect cut should be effortless and fall naturally into place.

How have you managed the challenges this year?

The year 2020 has truly been something for the history books for The Refinery Salon. As we rushed to meet opening deadlines in our new location, COVID-19 forced us to shut down two and a half weeks after opening. We had so many hopes and dreams which did not go to plan, and the pandemic required us, like all businesses, to be very creative and keep pushing forward.

Why did you want to work for yourself?

To be honest, I never wanted to work for myself, as my perfectionism can often be an obstacle. I knew I wanted to work in a salon that always provided dynamic training and gave each guest their full attention. I simply could not find that high level of service anywhere, so here I am 15 proud years later.

I am happy to say my perfectionism has not diminished over the years, but what it has done, is allow me to create a culture which leaves every guest looking and feeling their absolute best.

What’s been the best, or most surprising, aspect of owning a business?

The best thing about owning my own business is knowing I have created and will continue to create an environment that exceeds guests’ expectations, while watching my team members grow their craft in hair design. This truly makes me proud beyond words.

If you had to choose one thing, what is most important to looking your best?

We at the The Refinery Salon believe in effortless looks that fall naturally into place. Gone are the days of over-styling hair. We encourage looks that match your lifestyle, hair type and face shape while also reducing your styling time and maintenance.

The Refinery Salon
1101 Ballena Circle, Cary
(984) 465-0301
therefinerysalon.com