Ladies team up downtown

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Apr 02, 2004 by Kropf, Annemarie

SYRACUSE - A few years ago, Marisa Buechner and Kristine Sperato were in the vendor-client role as hairdresser and customer Today, the two women are partners, having opened a "one-stop shop" for fashion and beauty in Armory Square.

On March 27, the pair opened the doors of The Red Bag Boutique and All About Me Day Spa at 220 Walton St.

They are two separate businesses, but Buechner has sole proprietorship. Buechner is also the owner of Marisa's Fortress of Beauty on Walton Street. In September 2003, she signed a five-year-lease with J.F. Real Estate. Sperato rents her space from Buechner. The two women have a verbal partnership, but nothing formal, they say.

Buechner says that due to the close relationship she has with Sperato, she feels confident about partnering with her in business. "I've known Kris for a long time," she notes. "I wouldn't [go into business] with just anybody. You have to be picky about who you work with. I know Kris is doing it for fun.

"This is to me fun," she continues. "I don't consider it work at all. As long as the clients are happy, I'm doing it because I enjoy it. I do it because I love it."

The Red Bag Boutique sells clothing, jewelry, handbags, and trinkets. Prices range from $5 makeup cases and $8 pieces of jewelry to $70 dresses and $75 jewelry.

Sperato says she is targeting the age 16 to 50 demographic. There are three full-time employees at the boutique.

"This is my hobby, I love it," says Sperato, who splits her time between the Red Bag Boutique and her day job as a social worker with. the Managed Addiction Treatment Services at the Civic Center.

All About Me Day Spa employs a facial person who does body treatment as well as a massage therapist and a manicurist/pedicurist. The spa is targeted at both genders. There are eight full-time employees at the spa.

Buechner says she couldn't expand Fortress of Beauty, her other business, to accommodate the spa. Due to the age of the building and lack of plumbing, Buechner had to look for a different location.

The partners had worked for months preparing the former Onondaga School of Massage facility for its grand opening. Enlisting the help of friends like Shari Purtell, Sperato says, as well as family and local artists like Trisha Burbanks helped keep costs down.

"It was crazy but fun," Buechner says. "It took longer than expected to get it together."

The two used their own funds to finance the businesses. "Every paycheck I've made has gone to this place," says Sperato. "If you're able to finance a business on your own, that's the way to go."

In total, the businesses occupy 2,650 square feet on the first floor and 800 square feet downstairs. Buechner hopes that within a month, the downstairs will be completely redone as a place for facials, yoga classes, and meditation.

The two say they have no target number of clients they wish to reach or revenue figures they hope to achieve within the first year of business. "Whatever happens, happens," Buechner says.

So far, the women have done no formal advertising, but are instead relying on word of mouth to spread the word.

"Armory Square is great," Buechner says. "Everyone works with each other here."

Hours for the Red Bag Boutique and All About Me Day Spa are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.