Katie Prestridge opened Aura & Hue in Turner to build the kind of salon experience she felt was missing: a calm, private studio where clients can decompress while receiving vivid color work and nail services. Located inside the Skin Hub, Aura & Hue operates as a personal suite within a larger beauty collective, giving clients the option to pair salon services with other self-care appointments in the same building.
Katie’s vision was clear from the start. She wanted full control over the details, from studio design to product selection, while creating an experience tailored to each guest. Like many first-time owners, she faced the practical demands of launching, especially the accounting and tax side, which pulled her away from the creative work she loves most. At the same time, she had ambitious plans for long-term growth and wanted to make sure the business was set up correctly from day one.
To organize her ideas and build a plan she could grow from, Katie reached out to Maine SBDC after hearing about available support through AVCOG. With guidance from Business Advisor Jon Janson, she developed a business plan, clarified her budget, and built financial projections that matched her goals. They also began the process of pursuing financing, even though she ultimately did not need a loan to open. Katie says the support helped her connect the pieces that felt intimidating or unfamiliar, and “literally has helped with every aspect of starting a business.”
Aura & Hue has now been operating for several months, and after working through early start-up snags, Katie is seeing momentum build. She also lined up additional support locally, including Androscoggin Bank in Turner.
Looking ahead, Katie plans to expand Aura & Hue into more specialty offerings, including a Made in Maine pedicure that features locally made soak and skincare products, plus spa-style services for hands and feet. Aura & Hue will remain a private studio, but Katie is already laying the groundwork for something bigger in the future.