Peoria woman's 'entrepreneurial hamster' keeps three Grand Prairie stores running

Patrons at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie in Peoria may not be aware of the juggling act Brittany Yates pulls off daily while keeping three Grand Prairie storefronts in the air.

“She’s very talented at her job, and she’s also very motivated,” said Julie Underhill, a nail technician at The NailSpace Event Spa, one of Yates’ three stores located at the North Peoria shopping center.

Yates opened her first business, The Hairspace Salon, about three-and-a-half years ago. The Nailspace Event Spa opened two years ago, and Yates last fall added The Wellspace Fitness Studio and Spa.

Growing as the 'spaces' grow

Designating all three businesses as ‘spaces’ was a way for Yates to create a flow, make the businesses readily identifiable, and generate a sense of co-existence and teamwork between the stores, she said. She recently began renting out The Wellspace as an events venue and hosts group events at The Nailspace.

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“I want to use The WellSpace to network with other small businesses in Peoria and create events,” Yates said.

As a hair stylist, she spends the bulk of her work day at The HairSpace. She is also a certified yoga instructor and occasionally fills in to teach at The WellSpace. She is usually at Grand Prairie well before it opens to ensure all three stores are properly supplied.

“I have this entrepreneurial hamster in my head that doesn’t stop,” Yates said. “I enjoy what I do, as chaotic as it can be at times. But I believe that, to do this and do it well, mental health is important. I take time off work, but the employees can reach out to me. I also travel extensively. When I’m here, I’m working super hard, but I think it’s important to recharge your battery.”

'Really cares about her clients'

Steve Beutel of Bartonville has been a regular HairSpace customer since the salon opened, getting his hair cut there every six weeks. Yates’ attention to detail and commitment to customer service are key elements to the success she’s enjoyed with her businesses, he said.

“She knows how I like my hair cut,” he said. “I always have a good experience. Sometimes if she fills up to soon, I do have to get last-minute appointments.”

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Said Underhill: “I don’t think you could find a better example of someone who … really cares about her clients. That’s what she’s all about. She wants to provide spaces where both service providers are comfortable working in and where clients can feel comfortable coming into them.”

Yates asserted that she can juggle her three businesses because of support from The Shoppes at Grand Prairie’s management team and outstanding service providers working in them. While her entrepreneurial hamster is still running, she has no plans to expand her Grand Prairie footprint.

“There’s not going to be a fourth store,” Yates said with a laugh. “I promise.”