When Amelia Contreras moved to Merced a year and a half ago, she had two young daughters in tow, a new man in her life, and dreams of taking her career to new heights.
The 37-year-old esthetician from Fresno County had a lot on her plate just settling in and getting the kids adjusted to different surroundings, but soon the newcomer found herself looking for a salon to get her hair and nails done.
Contreras works in the industry, so it was important to find an excellent location with professionals she could trust — especially to style and color her hair.
Surprisingly, the search ended casually while picking up a lunch order at the El Asadero taco shop on G Street near Raley’s. The name “Lotus Salon” came up in a conversation, and Contreras was urged to check it out.
“I decided to give it a try, and right away, I just loved the vibe,” she told the Times. “I met hair stylist Amy Miller and she was incredible and talented. I bleach my hair blonde, and I loved the way Amy was able to bring my hair back to life. She actually rehabilitated my hair. She is such a fabulous hairdresser, and she also does professional hair extensions too. Absolutely amazing.”
Contreras, who also goes by the nickname “Molly,” became a satisfied, regular client at Lotus Salon, which is located inside the Olivepark Professional Center. In fact, she had such a positive experience there, she was even more inspired to make her very own mark on the local beauty scene.
Born and raised in the small Central Valley town of Kingsburg, Contreras started out working as an administrative assistant for a regional engineering firm. That was fine for a while, but she eventually grew tired of office and clerical work. She really wanted to pursue her passion.
“I’ve always been into skin care, and the beauty aspect of makeup and hair,” she said. “So one day, I just decided to go to school, and pursue my dreams.”
Contreras studied and excelled at the Marinello School of Beauty, about 20 miles away in Fresno. She became a licensed esthetician in 2014, and a certified massage therapist in 2022. Back in Kingsburg, she also created an at-home business doing eyelash extensions. The talented young entrepreneur discovered she could grow her clientele quickly in the tight-knit community, mostly by word of mouth.
“Then I decided to rent a little business,” she said. “At first it was called ‘Pascal’ — my mother’s maiden name — but then I joined with a hairdresser and nail technician, and we renamed the business after the both of us, ‘Amelia Ashley Salon.’”
Life was good, but it was about to get more amazing when Contreras met the man of her life, Joe Stefani, a successful mortgage lender in Merced. He’s the main reason she moved to this town. Now they’re engaged to be married.
Sometimes things just fall into place.
And that’s what happened to Contreras one day last February while enjoying some “me time” at the Lotus Salon. She was getting her hair done, and talking with the gals about her goals and ambitions, when she discovered there was an opportunity to actually acquire the Lotus itself as an owner/operator.
Contreras was immediately blown away with the idea, but she took a deep breath, and calmed herself.
“I needed some time to think about it,” she said. “I prayed about it. I talked to Joe about it. And I held off for just a bit. But luckily, everything just came together perfectly. It fell into my hands at a good time, God’s timing, I guess. ”
Over the past several months, Contreras carefully renovated the salon to meet her vision of an even higher level of spa-like quality and service — “from the color, to the interior design, to what I want to offer clients.”
“It’s come a long way,” she said. “I’m very proud of myself for what I’ve put into it.”
Today it’s called “Lotus Salon by Amelia.”
The salon features the same stylists and beauty experts as before, along with some new ones as well, including Contreras, who specializes in hydra-facials, lymphatic massage, red light therapy for pain and inflammation, and other forms of regenerative health and skin care.
There’s also Maria Ramirez (nail artist), Catrina Hernandez (nail artist), Yee Yang (eyelash artist), May Potts (hair stylist), Amy Miller (hair stylist), Vanessa Garcia (hair stylist), Georgina Cervantes (hair stylist) and Angel Aguilar (hair stylist).
Understandably, Contreras wanted to add her own personal touch to the Lotus, but she also wanted to make sure that every one of her ideas were centered around the essential things her clients really want and deserve from a beauty salon and spa.
Most of all, according to Contreras, clients want to be pampered. They want to experience the utmost personal attention. They want to be confident they’re receiving a high standard of service. And they want to come out looking and feeling fabulous.
At the same time, Contreras highlights the idea that time in a salon is equally valued as a way to relax — and not think too much — in an uplifting environment filled with positive vibes.
“I want our clients to feel like they do while on vacation at a luxury resort,” she said. “When they walk through our door, I want them to feel like they are the only ones that matter.”
In addition to a wide range of beauty services, Contreras also added nice touches such as treating Lotus customers to a drink menu, and offering them free hand paraffin wax which softens hands and helps with stress and detoxification.
“I want to make a difference with each individual experience,” she said. “If something is not right for them, I want to fix it and make it right. I don’t want anyone to leave with a bad experience. Word of mouth is so critical to build a salon. I want to cater to clients and provide the best service possible whether they are in the mood to relax or have a fun time at the salon.”
Contreras said she is excited to see her vision become reality, and she doesn’t rule out the possibility of expanding her reach as a businesswoman.
“I could use what’s happening here as a stepping stone to see what else I could do,” she said. “We could open up another one in Fresno, and perhaps another back in Kingsburg one day.”
Contreras smiled and added: “I have big dreams.”
Lotus Salon by Amelia is located at 1170 W. Olive Ave., Suite H, in the Olivepark Professional Center. They are taking new clients by appointment only. Call (209) 325-4194, or text: (559) 707-2883.