When a leader gets the chance to step back from the front lines, everything can change. That’s what Nicci Lyn Troupe, hairstylist, owner, and CEO of Salon Bellissima, found after her husband’s job switch-up led to a cross-state move in 2024. It took her away from the salon chair, her loyal clients, and her staff. Although the new distance took an emotional toll, it freed her up to embrace the role of CEO like never before.
“I started seeing the changes within the business where I was able to be somewhere I wasn’t before, because I was always behind the chair,” she says. She gained time for mentoring her stylists and a bird’s-eye view of the business’s data. “I put more bodies where they needed to be. I was really proactive at working on my business instead of inside my business.”
In 2024, Salon Bellissima’s sales rose from $875,000 to over $1 million. By the end of 2025, they capped the year at just shy of $1.1 million in sales and 15,100 guests served. For their 21.37% growth from 2023–2024, they were recognized amongst other top national salons in the 2026 Salon Today 200’s Growth category.
With an applicant waitlist and stylists vying for stations at their original Fairhaven salon, it was past time for a second location. After “looking forever” for the right space, one of Troupe’s staff pointed her toward a two-story building that used to house a bank on Ferndale’s Main Street. “It is the perfect space for it,” says Troupe, who fell in love with the climbing plants covering the exterior walls, the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the spacious interior. Plus, many of Salon Bellissima’s stylists and guests are Ferndale residents.
Highline Construction, old friends who helped Salon Bellissima expand their original location 10 years ago, came in to help redo the space. Now, the Ferndale salon is complete with seven stylist chairs, three shampoo bowls, two drying stations, cozy lounging areas, and a small boutique. Keeping with their eco-conscious principles, much of the decor is reused or salvaged, like the front desk handcrafted by Troupe’s father-in-law from wood from a downed Lynden tree.
This location features a bank vault turned treatment room where Salon Bellissima can offer massages, head spa, and lash services. Upstairs is a multi-use space that may house nail services in the future, depending on what asks they hear from guests. Both guest and stylist comforts were taken into consideration in the new space, including the all-new Freestyle System suspended blow dryers, which are ceiling-mounted directly above the stations. No more bending, plugging in, and putting away blow dryers up to ten times a day!
Each location will always have a front desk lead, and managers and stylists will travel back and forth, ensuring communication amongst the team and consistent experiences for all of Salon Bellissima’s guests. Troupe, whether from her home in Idaho or in person at the salons, looks forward to continuing to mentor her team.
“We do have a vision. We want to take care of the planet, and we want to take care of other people,” she says. “I’m so proud of them. I just love them so much…and I get to see on paper how they’re growing.”
2046 Main St., Ferndale, 360.393.4026, salonbellissimabellingham.com
Photograph by Kristen Boehm
