As the owner of Vakkar Salon in Ladue, Missouri, David Johnston’s job is to make people feel beautiful. He and his 3 fellow stylists strive to create flattering cuts and lived-in color that helps clients’ natural beauty shine through, while also providing them with knowledge to maintain their look until it’s time for their next appointment. At Vakkar, everyone walks in feeling welcome and wanted, and leaves feeling gorgeous and confident.

Why Clients Trust Vakkar Salon

David founded Vakkar 13 years ago after being professionally trained with Vidal Sassoon, Bumble and Bumble, Redken, Sebastian, L’Oreal Professional, Fermici, and Matrix. He ensures that his stylists are equipped with the most advanced cutting and coloring techniques, and that every client’s unique needs are addressed. 

Vakkar’s target clients are busy executives, hard-working moms, and others who want to look put-together without spending hours on styling their hair. They come to the salon for hair color that’s not too noticeable but that compliments their skin tone, and for cuts that add texture and volume to their natural locks. It takes a lot of talent to achieve a not-so-tried-for look, and Vakkar stylists are the best at delivering those results.

Why Vakkar Salon Trusts Words Have Impact

Owning a salon while providing high-end styling services takes up most of David’s days, yet his business can only thrive if clients keep making appointments. David is highly aware of the importance of Vakkar’s online presence, but just doesn’t have the time or knowledge to add content to his site.  

“Since opening, I’ve tried to post updates on social media to let people know we’re here,” said David. “But I needed to build up my web content to prove that we are experts in this industry, and I wanted it to be optimized for people to find us when searching for services we offer. I couldn’t do that on my own.”  

For a while, it was difficult to find the help he needed. He hired a small marketing business that wanted him to provide his own content—which defeated the purpose of hiring someone. Then he tried a larger agency in hopes they’d have better capabilities. But after the first month or so of speaking with his main contact, his calls were answered by a different person every time. It just wasn’t the connection he was looking for. 

That’s when a mentor recommended Words Have Impact.

“He said ‘They’ve been great for me. I trust them and they’ll take care of you.’ After talking with [WHI owner] Brandon just a couple of times, I could tell that was true.”

David has now been working with WHI for a year and a half. During bi-monthly strategy sessions with our team, we offer expertise on what’s trending in Google haircare searches, and David suggests topics that his clients could benefit from. Our writers then create two SEO-optimized blog posts each month that explain why it’s so important to choose a salon with expertly trained stylists. 

“Having fresh content has given me an opportunity to build somewhat of an educational platform, and it’s also helping new clients to find me online,” said David. “Last year, I had about 100 online clients reach out to make appointments. At an average price of around $220 per person, that has benefited my business quite a bit.”

WHI also sends periodic emails to Vakkar’s clients to inform them of special deals, remind them to schedule their next appointment, or even just to tell them Happy Birthday. It’s something else we could take off of David’s plate to allow him to focus on what he does best. 

“I feel like you guys have this moral value that I’ve not had with other companies,” he said.  

“You say what you’re going to do and you do it. You don’t try to sell me things that I can’t afford. You don’t try to blow my budget. You seem like you care. And you can’t pay anyone enough to make them care if they don’t really care.”

Finding a content marketing team that truly cares has brought peace of mind to David. As a business owner himself, he knows how important it is to deliver results as promised.  

“Just like I’d only bring stylists in that will do what’s best for my clients, I feel like WHI only has team members who will do what’s best for me,” said David. “I recommend you all the time. I’ve worked with a lot of different companies through the years, and you’re the most ethical company I’ve worked with.”