Left to right-Jessica Keough/owner of Revival Hair Salon, Art Kulikowski/Jessica’s grandfather, and Debbie Levins/Jessica’s mom.
Jessica Keough is carrying on the flame of a long family history of stylists who have occupied the space at 401 Ellicott Street at Swan Street, which has been Revival Hair Salon for the past 5 years.
The name Revival was chosen as it also honors the legacy of Jessica’s great grandmother, Viola Kulikowski. Viola, owned and operated Viola’s Beauty Salon for nearly 70 years in the same space at the corner of Ellicott and Swan streets.
(Submitted photo of Viola, Jessica Keough)
Viola Kulikowski beautician’s license, she started in the business in 1936 after graduating from the Buffalo School of Beauty Culture. Viola worked alongside Helen Sikorski, her sister for many years at 401 Ellicott Street at Viola’s Beauty Shop.
“I’m actually the one that came up with the name Revival,” says Jessica’s mom Debbie Levins.
“The name has a very special meaning. It not only stands for reviving one’s beauty at the salon and reviving the family business, but it also secretly acknowledges the original salon owner, Viola Falkowski Kulikowski in a couple of unique ways. Viola was well known by her nickname “Vi” which hides in the middle of “Revival”. Another name that honors Viola is hidden at the tail end of the salon name. My Grandma (“Babci” as us grandchildren and great grandchildren fondly called her.) told me this story many years ago. Her name was supposed to be Valerie (“Val”). Her parents, being immigrants from Poland, were misunderstood when they told the name to be written on her birth certificate. Instead of the name “Valerie”, they mistakenly wrote “Viola“. So, the name “Revival” truly is a fitting name for the salon. It was meant to be. We believe our beloved Babci is smiling down from heaven at her great granddaughter with much pride seeing she inherited not only her strong work ethic and talent, but also her vibrant personality and determination to succeed.”
Viola’s father, Jozef, started cutting hair with a barbershop business, moving to 401 Ellicott Street in Batavia from Buffalo in the early 1900s.
Jozef was married to Matylda “Hilda” Szalkowski (Born January 9, 1884). Their daughter Viola Falkowski Kulikowski, (born 1/20/1910) owned and operated Viola’s Beauty Salon in the same building as her father’s barbershop. The door on the left was the beauty salon and the door to the right was her father’s barbershop. (provided information Debbie Levins)
(Submitted photos/information Debbie Levins) Jozef & Matylda Falkowski(left)-Right-Viola Kulikowski. Jozef S. Falkowski, (born around 1886), owned a barbershop at 401 Ellicott Street, Batavia, NY in the early 1900’s.
Today, the family trait of entrepreneurship lives on at Revival Hair Salon with a bit of great grandma (Babci)Viola’s spirit present at 401 Ellicott Street.
“I remember when I was younger, I would come in here and it was my great grandma’s salon. I remember all the chairs, hairdryers lined up along the back line and all the old ladies getting their perms done. It was just a friendly, exciting environment. You walk in there hearing gossip and chatting. I remember I would hand her Bobbi pins here and there that she put into the lady’s hair,” says Jessica.
(Submitted photo Debbie Levins-Jessica and her sister Melissa playing hairdresser)
To help celebrate 5 years in business, Revival Hair Salon held a vendor fair in their parking lot last Sunday for their clients, friends, and family members. Jessica officially opened Revival in July 2018.
“I know it’s very important to support your local businesses. I get a lot of support from my friends, family and other local businesses, so this is a way to get their names out there and support them as well.”
After only a few years in business, the Pandemic struck, giving Jessica a challenge early on in 2020.
401 Ellicott Street (corner of Swan Street) Staff at Revival Salon-Front-Abbey Biegasiewicz/Stylist who is also a PMU Artist & Tiny/Fine Line Tattoo Artist, left- Sara Rose, back-Chad Cone/Stylist-right Jessica Keough/Owner/Stylist. Not pictured Amanda Spring/Stylist
“They say the first couple of years in business are one of the toughest, and it definitely was not easy. I had to rethink my business plan and how am I going to keep this open, but luckily, I had some very steady clientele and at that point I did have to shut down for a couple of months due to regulations, but we pushed through and surprisingly we came back after COVID and had more clients than ever. I think people were sick of doing that at home haircut. That’s when I opened back up with three new stylists.”
Jessica with her family at the 5-year celebration on Sunday-Left to right-Debbie Levins(mom), Melissa Levins(sister), Jessica Keough, Steve Levins(dad) and Ed Popil(stepdad)
During the COVID shutdown, Jessica created her vendor business, Desert Moon earrings, handcrafted polymer clay jewelry. That business also continues to grow.
Last July, Jessica left her school counselor job to take on running her two growing businesses full time. When Jessica opened the Salon in 2018 at age 23, she was still attending graduate school to become a school counselor.
“I had two passions at the time. I had a passion for doing hair and opening up a business, but I also had a passion for helping kids and I knew I wanted to pursue higher education. I knew I wanted to become a school counselor.”
After succeeding at getting a job as a school counselor, Jessica continued to do hair as a backup.
“Now I’ve turned hair into my primary and have counseling as a backup. So, I always have those jobs and these passions to fall back on, especially during COVID.”
Jessica with her husband Adam. The couple were recently married last October. Adam assists Jessica with vendor events for her Desert Moon Earrings business. “He helps me pack up, pick up, and sell earrings as well.”
Last October, Jessica got married to Adam Keough.
“I knew that with my husband and starting a family in the future, we’re not going to be able to have three jobs and I want to spend family quality time. I said, you know what, I’m going to run my two businesses full time and I’ve been doing it a year and it’s been fantastic. I’m enjoying making my own schedule, doing things on my own terms and my own time. I think when I have kids that will be great. It’s nice to have options to do either path.”
Jessica’s advice to others who are thinking about opening a business and haven’t yet.
“Honestly, you’re going to constantly think about it and wish you had started it and going to look back and say why didn’t I follow my dreams and passions. I started out small with me, then it just sort of grows and builds and word of mouth is the biggest thing. I know its cliche to say, but if you’re doing what you love you never work a day in your life.”
Link to website below:
Revival – Hair Salon in Batavia (business.site)
Or call 585-402-9269