Mother-daughter pair make dreams of business ownership come true with opening of Luna Salon & Boutique on East Main Street in Waukon
The opening of Luna Salon & Boutique at 1 East Main Street in Waukon as of April 1 of this year marks the realization of dreams of the new business’ co-owners, who also happen to be a Waukon mother and daughter pair. Robin Palmer and her daughter, Adrianna Rocksvold, joined their combined interests and their faith in one another to start the new venture.
“We both had a dream of being business owners, and had no experience as business owners,” they shared. “We decided to go in together and start a business that would be a unique experience and stand out to our customers. We share a love of fashion, style and having fun, and we want our customers to also.”
The name of the business is not only representative of what is offered by the mother-daughter pair within the business operation, but also what each brings to it in an effort to serve their customers with a unique experience. “Luna means moon and signifies feminine energy,” the pair explained. “Style should be fun, and women can wear anything they want if it makes them feel good. We offer a Boho-chic vibe geared to any age, and we also offer kids’ and men’s clothing.”
Their association with Waukon is what prompted them to want to open their own business within the community. Palmer originally grew up in Prairie du Chien, WI and moved to Waukon in 2002. A 2018 graduate of Waukon High School, Rocksvold grew up in Waukon.
“We wanted to stay in the community and find a way to provide for all its members with the ability to create a positive and inviting space for people to enjoy,” they remarked.
After high school, Rocksvold attended the Salon Professionals Academy in Onalaska, WI, providing the foundation for the salon portion of the business. Palmer worked her way to a department manager position in the Cabela’s Distribution Center before leaving there in 2007 to take an office manager position in Waukon, utilizing all that experience in heading the boutique portion of the business.
Putting their various expertise together for the benefit of their customers has proven to be the most rewarding aspect of the new business thus far, they say. “Working together and seeing all of the customers happy with new hair and/or new clothing,” they further explained.
Both aspects of the business have offered their own sense of challenge as well. “The most fun but challenging is trying to keep the boutique fully stocked as things are selling quickly,” they shared. “This time of year is hard for the salon to meet all clients’ needs with weddings and special occasions hair along with regular cut/color clients.”
As they work to meet those current challenges, the mother-daughter duo also have their eyes on the future. “We have plans to expand and provide items for all members in the community,” they forecasted.
Whether it be current clientele or planning to meet the needs of others searching for what they have to offer, both Palmer and Rocksvold agree that they want to “focus on fun at the salon and boutique.”
“It has a unique ambiance with an inviting atmosphere to everyone who enters,” they summarized. “It’s nice to have the option for in-person shopping and pampering.”
Luna Salon & Boutique is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays, and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. The business is closed both Sundays and Mondays but can also be found on Facebook at Luna Salon and Boutique, in addition to being on Instagram as well at @lunasalonandboutique. For appointments for the salon, call 563-217-0517.
