Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Fountain.
Hi Lori, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For over 30 years, the beauty industry was my world—a place where I began as an eager beauty school student and evolved into a Regional Leader overseeing 90 salons across eight states. Every day, I dedicated myself to bringing joy to customers, nurturing talented hair stylists, and driving the financial success of each business I touched. Those years, though challenging, were among the most rewarding of my life.
In 2021, I reached a crossroad. I knew it was time to step away from the fast-paced corporate environment and focus on my own well-being. The prospect of finding joy and purpose outside the familiar realm of salons was both daunting and exhilarating. I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, determined to uncover a new way to make a meaningful impact.
Then, in the summer of 2024, I discovered Sea Love Hilton Head—a small business with a big heart. During a heartfelt conversation with one of its owners, Sarah, I immediately recognized a reflection of my own passions. Here was an opportunity to bring joy to customers in a new, creative way through scent blending. I saw the chance to develop “scent stylists” just as I once nurtured hair stylists, all while supporting the business’s success in an industry that felt like a natural extension of my life’s work.
One of the things I love most about scent blending is the personal connection it creates. My favorite scent, gardenia, holds a special place in my heart. Its rich, floral aroma instantly takes me back to the gardenia bushes at my grandfather’s home—a place filled with warmth, love, and cherished childhood memories. Every time I smell it, I’m reminded of the simple joys in life and the power of scent to transport us to moments we hold dear. It was quite exciting knowing that I could help others have this same experience of transporting back to a time, a place or an event, thru scents!
Joining Sea Love wasn’t just a career change—it was a full-circle moment. I could weave together every lesson learned over three decades in the beauty world into this new adventure at a scent-blending candle bar and boutique. Now, with Sea Love expanding and opening a location in Savannah, GA, in late December 2024, I felt more inspired than ever. Becoming the manager of Sea Love Savannah sparked a bright light in me to share the scent-blending and candle making experience with both visitors to this beautiful city and those who call Savannah home. Every candle I help create promises joy, creativity, and the enduring power of transformation—values that have guided me from day one.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Staffing and customer acquisition is something I learned over the years that must be a focus even when you feel like the business is strong and going well. In the beauty industry, the staff must meet the requirements of what makes a “perfect” candidate, they also must hold a state cosmetology license. This truly limited the hiring pool and made staffing each of the 90 locations a struggle.
Customer acquisition was necessary to maintain the current revenue performance, and also to increase sales to meet future budgets and sales goals. With the natural attrition of the customer base, it was a constant and primary focus to address customer concerns, strategically develop programs, and launch effective promotions.
Staffing and customer acquisition in Savannah with Sea Love will also be a steady focus. With the benefit of our SCAD community, staffing has been an exciting part of managing this new business location. The creative and business-minded talent found in Savannah has made this sometimes-challenging part of being a business leader, not so difficult.
With customer acquisition, Sea Love has such an incredible, unique experience and an amazing quality product, customers are inspired to not only visit our location but also refer their friends and family to participate in a candle-making experience. As with any new or existing business, you have to work on building your customer base. This is an area that I have learned over the years must be a continual practice and something one should never take their mind off of. Customers are the key to any business success and therefore a priority just as important as any other.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sea Love is an experiential retail brand that brings the art of scent blending and candle making to life in a relaxed and inspired location, right here in Savannah. Using non-toxic, 100% Soy Wax and cotton braided wicks, Sea Love is committed to a clean and sustainable product.
Certified Scent Stylists take our guests thru the art of scent blending with our over 100 scents on the fragrance wall. Guests select 3 scents to create their very own unique scent and then our Scent Stylists guide them thru curating a candle or diffuser. The experience is fun, relaxing, inspiring, and one of a kind. With each experience Sea Love provides a complimentary beverage to add that extra touch.
Sea Love’s boutique also serves as a coastal inspired retail establishment. Each item in the boutique has been carefully selected to inspire the tranquility of coastal living in any home.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking is a critical component of business success. It not only helps drive growth and visibility, but it can also open doors to new business ventures, collaborative partnerships, mentorships, and so much more.
While networking can feel like a challenging or even intimidating task for some business owners or managers, I choose to view it differently. I see networking as an opportunity to meet new people, to learn about their stories, and to build sustainable, meaningful relationships within my community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sealove.com/savannah
- Instagram: sealovesavannah
- Facebook: sealovesavannah
- Other: tiktok sealovesavannah
