When she opened her doors more than a decade ago, Lenora Leathers, the founder of Savvy Salons (soon to be Ivrie Salons), wasn’t just launching a business — she was creating a movement.

“I wanted women—especially Black women—to feel seen, valued, and cared for in spaces that often overlooked our needs,” she says. “When I started my salon, I saw a gap. Clients wanted more than just hair services. They wanted education, healthy products, and a space that honored their beauty inside and out.”

What began as a single salon chair soon evolved into a vision much larger than hair care. The defining moment came when she realized she wasn’t simply called to style hair — she was called to build something enduring. “Entrepreneurship wasn’t just about owning a salon; it was about creating a legacy,” she explains. “I wanted to design a business model that gave stylists real careers and clients a membership experience that elevated their everyday lives.”

Rooted in her values of faith, family, and integrity, Savvy Salons became a reflection of who she is — a woman who believes that beauty is more than skin deep and that excellence should meet people the moment they walk through the door.

Running a successful business while raising four boys is no small feat. Balancing the role of CEO, wife, and mother hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it. “Being both visionary and leader while managing family life has been one of my biggest challenges,” she admits. “But I overcame it by building systems, leaning on my faith, and learning to delegate so my team could grow with me.”

She’s quick to address a common misconception: that women entrepreneurs are “too emotional” to lead. “Our emotional intelligence is one of our greatest assets,” she says. “It allows us to build community, nurture thriving teams, and create experiences that feel like family.”

The biggest risk she took — stepping away from working behind the chair — became her greatest breakthrough. “It was scary to let go, but it gave me the freedom to truly own my business,” she reflects. That decision paid off: Savvy Salons went on to win Best Business in Kansas City, a moment she calls “a team victory.”

“That award represented all of us—our resilience and our excellence,” she says. “It confirmed that we’re not just running a salon; we’re running the best business and the best salon in Kansas City.”

Her journey has been rich with lessons—many learned the hard way. “In the beginning, I tried to do everything myself,” she admits. “But I quickly learned the power of building structure and trusting a team.”

Her advice for women just starting out: “Don’t wait until you have it all figured out. Start where you are, with what you have.”

Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood has taught her about grace and boundaries. “Some days I’m fully CEO; other days I’m just Mom. I’ve learned not to feel guilty about either, but to embrace the season I’m in.”

And she’s clear about one thing: success doesn’t happen alone. “I’ve been blessed with mentors, coaches, and a strong village. Success is not a solo sport—it’s a team effort, and the right people in your corner can shift everything.”

Looking ahead, she envisions Savvy Salons (under the new name Ivrie Salons) expanding into multiple cities, becoming synonymous with healthy hair care and luxury experiences for women with highly textured hair.

“In five years, I see Ivrie Salons as a movement—a gold standard in beauty, built on empowerment and excellence,” she says.

Her mission is clear: to create safe, affirming spaces where women feel beautiful, confident, and cared for, inside and out.

“Success to me is the impact I leave in the lives I’ve touched,” she reflects. “It’s the freedom of my time, the peace I carry, and the ability to move with purpose.”

Her ultimate goal? Legacy. “I want to be remembered as a woman who dared to be different — one who disrupted the norm, stayed authentic, and added value wherever she went. A woman whose very presence carried power.”

My vision is to create a legacy that outlasts me, a vision that lives on long after my time on this side of earth.