Gina Rivera was born into the salon industry. Her parents owned salons where she and her sister Jami, spent a great deal of time. Gina’s family comes from a long line of Salon Professionals that spans over 75 years and consist of over a 25 Salon Professionals inside the family that are Hair Stylists and have owned and operated Salons and Beauty Schools. After high school, Gina joined the family business and went to school to become a licensed hair dresser. Within a few years, Gina’s success as a hair stylist allowed her to move from a commission salon setting to renting a booth at a small local salon where she continued to build a loyal client base. Gina currently continues to provide Salon Services by occupying a Suite at the first Phenix Salon Suites location in Colorado Springs, CO.
Jason Rivera grew up in Northern Virginia and moved to Colorado Springs in 1994 to join the U.S. National Judo Team. During his time at the Olympic Training Center, Jason studied business at the University of Colorado and Graduated with a degree in Marketing and Business in 1998. Jason developed a passion for business and entrepreneurship. A year after arriving in Colorado Springs Jason and Gina met one another, eventually getting married in 1999. As he established a successful market research company Jason was introduced to the salon industry. Jason grew his marketing company into a National Company, which he sold in order to focus on the development of Phenix Salon Suites. Jason is still active in Judo as a National Team Coach at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO and currently is a member of the Board of Directors for USA Judo.
During Gina’s maternity leave, following the 2003 birth of Jason and Gina’s first son, Phenix, Gina decided to open a salon of her own. Their confidence in Gina’s years of salon industry experience and Jason’s vast business experience, led them to purchase a Salon in 2003. This was a “Booth Rental” salon. In honor of their son, they changed the name of the salon to “Phenix Salon” and were able to stabilize and rejuvenate the negative cash flow business.
After recognizing the need to change the dynamics of “Booth Rental” salons, the owners decided to expand Phenix Salon into Phenix Salon Suites. This change allowed salon professionals a opportunity to own and operate their own salon without the daunting financial commitment and facility management hassles that are normally associated with opening and operation a salon business.
Jason and Gina Rivera opened their first Phenix Salon Suites in 2007 in Colorado Springs to great success. The 4500 square foot location was comprised of 22 individual suites. By opening day, all 22 suites were rented with additional interested Salon Professionals on a waiting list.
The vision for their unique Salon Suite concept was so well received that the couple immediately began to expand their business with the opening of additional Phenix Salon Suites locations. The owners now have over 100 locations planned for opening over the next several years and are poised to be the premiere provider of Salon Suites in the United States and abroad.
Jason and Gina Rivera currently reside in Colorado Springs, CO with their two sons Phenix and Priest. The couple has recently established the Priest James Foundation in memory of Gina's mother, Janice Peneschi who was a licensed Salon Professional and passed away December 9th, 2010 after a year long battle with Pancreatic Cancer. The Priest James foundation will raise funds to help fight Pancreatic Cancer and other causes. Phenix Salon Suites will be a premiere sponsor of the Priest James Foundation with its annual "Cut Out Cancer" campaign at all Phenix Salon Suites locations Nationwide the first Saturday each November. |