Bronde Salon Stylist Amber Ferguson (left), Owner Stephanie Mendoza (center) and Stylist Jessie Duyette assist clients in their newly opened space in Old Towne.  Mendoza was a stylist for 15 years before the timing felt right for her to create her own salon.  “Sometimes I have to stop myself and just think, I feel so lucky.  It still feels like a dream.”

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Bronde Salon

This July marked the opening of Bronde Salon, a new Old Towne-based space that fulfills the long-held aspirations of owner and stylist Stephanie Mendoza.  Mendoza was introduced to the location by her friend Amber Ferguson, who now works with her at Bronde.

For years, Mendoza always dreamed of opening her own business, yet the timing never seemed right.  When she was first ready to branch out on her own, the pandemic further delayed her plans.

“Now more than ever, I truly believe in the fact that timing is everything,” she says.  “I felt like I was meant to be the owner, and I know why the other places and times didn’t work out for me.”

When Mendoza discovered that the previous business at her salon’s location, The Plaza Salon, was owned by someone who shared her last name, she took it as another sign that she was destined for this new chapter.

“I was born and raised in Santa Ana, and I always wanted to stay working in Orange County, but I never dreamed I would work in the Plaza,” she says.  “Old Towne is magical. Everyone has been very welcoming and I feel so lucky.”

At Bronde, clients can get a variety of haircuts and treatments from coloring to extensions to styling.  Including Mendoza, there are a total of five stylists at the salon.  Her first business goal was to have all six stations booked, and less than six months later, she has achieved that.

“I’m proud that all my stations are booked, and now I’m looking to expand,” says Mendoza.  “Next year, I’m going to work on building the upstairs section of the salon and adding two additional stations."

In addition to her business achievements, Mendoza has updated the interior to transform the space and infuse a warm, welcoming ambiance.

“The atmosphere of Bronde is very cozy and homey,” says Mendoza.  “It feels like a little family in here. Our bond is amazing.  A lot of our clients tell us it’s so bright and calm when they walk in.”

It also feels like a family for the staff.  Ferguson, the stylist who originally introduced Mendoza to the new salon space, cherishes the close-knit environment.

“Whether it’s a bomb blowout, a relaxing shampoo, or making TikToks, we love to have fun and we love what we do, and it shows,” she says.  “I also love the intimate setting inside the salon.  I actually look forward to going to work every day.”

Mendoza manages the salon’s social media channels herself, which she finds challenging but fulfilling—especially when new clients discover Bronde through platforms like Instagram.

“This has been my dream, and I can’t believe it has finally happened for me,” she says.

Bronde Salon
227 East Chapman Ave., #E, Old Towne Orange, CA 92866  /  714-200-9154