Get to Know Salon Deja Vu in Rockaway, NJ

Katee Petro and Debbie Stallings and their salon: Salon Deja Vu.
Beauty Launchpad is spotlighting the winners of its Top 20 Salons contest, sponsored by Wella Professionals. Here, Katee Petro and Debbie Stallings welcome us to Salon Deja Vu in Rockaway, NJ.
Courtesy of Salon Deja Vu

Beauty Launchpad is spotlighting the winners of its Top 20 Salons contest for 2025! Sponsored by Wella Professionals, this contest spotlights innovative and unique salons that go above and beyond to provide stellar experiences for their clients and opportunities for growth for their hair pros.

Here, Katee Petro and Debbie Stallings welcome us to Salon Deja Vu in Rockaway, NJ, established in April 2005.

Q&A with Salon Owners 

Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is the backstory of your salon? What motivated you to start your business?

Katee Petro (KP): We envisioned creating a space where we could be creative, grow and have fun. We wanted to work in an environment that didn’t feel like a job. When I started at 18 years old, Debbie was my manager. Years later, we moved to another salon, and I was her manager. We didn’t realize those experiences were teaching us how to work together and balance leadership. When the opportunity to become partners presented itself, we knew we would be great together. Our motivation was to create a work place we both wanted to work in!

Salon Deja Vu salon interiorSalon Deja Vu salon interiorCourtesy of Salon Deja VuBLP: What is the overall aesthetic of your salon? What inspired you when designing the space?

KP: Our design in our salon is very fluid. We will celebrate our 20 year anniversary this year, and our decor and design is always evolving! We’ve changed our colors and schemes every few years. When we designed the set up of the salon, our theory was that all the space needed to be productive. We didn’t want any space to be dead space, as we had a large staff and only 1700 square feet. Every foot of the salon has a purpose that helps contribute to productivity.

BLP: What services do you provide your clients? Are any of these services signature and/or exclusive to your salon? 

KP: We offer full hair service options, including corrective color, balayage and highlighting, keratins, extensions, curl specialists, razor cut specialists, barber services and full nail services.

BLP: What products are used/retailed in your salon? Do you have a personal favorite?

KP: We carry Virtue, SudzzFx, Snobgirls and Paul Mitchell as our main retail lines. My personal favorite is SudzzFx, the quality and consistency of the entire line makes it our number one selling retail line (I’m also a national educator for them). I like that most of our lines have not been diverted, and it is simply more convenient for clients to purchase directly from us.

BLP: What makes your salon unique and stand out? Salon Deja Vu teamSalon Deja Vu teamCourtesy of Salon Deja Vu

KP: We embody the true meaning of a family salon. Our staff has ranged in age from 16-94. We not only service all ages, but we are diverse in age, ethnicity, religious affiliation, etc., and embrace it. We love to learn from each other – there is so much knowledge each of us can share! We are involved with our community and the schools in our area. This year, we even created a college scholarship (the “Salon Deja Vu Do Good Scholarship”). Our staff was involved in choosing the winner, and it was exciting for all of us! 

Salon Deja Vu shampoo bowlsSalon Deja Vu shampoo bowlsCourtesy of Salon Deja VuBLP: What takeaway do you hope clients have after a visit at your salon?

KP: We hope our clients leave our salon not only feeling beautiful, but also feeling good inside. We want them to feel comfortable and like they are part of our “family” too.

BLP: What piece of advice would you give to a new salon owner?

KP: Always BE a member of your team – don’t ever believe you are above them. When making decisions, always ask yourself, “if I was an employee, how would this make me feel?” And ALWAYS, always stay humble.

BLP: What changes do you want to see in the industry to help salon owners and hairstylists working in salons grow and thrive? Salon Deja Vu waiting areaSalon Deja Vu waiting areaCourtesy of Salon Deja Vu

KP: We would love to see a resurgence of hair shows and live education. We both experienced live education, hands-on classes and amazing hair shows through the years, and it has really died down since COVID. We would love for our young staff to experience more opportunities for shows and live education.

BLP: What’s next for your salon? Do you have any goals for 2025?

KP: Our salon will spend 2025 continuing to grow our upcoming stylists. This year, we will celebrate our 20-year anniversary with a big formal party, and we will cheer to another 20 years of growth, friendship and beauty!

Follow the Salon 

Website: www.salondejavu.co 

Instagram: @salondejavunj

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