This June, H2O Salon & Spa celebrates 38 years of serving the Metairie community. While the anniversary marks an important milestone, the story behind H2O began long before 1988.
It started with a mother named Claire.
Long before H2O became a trusted salon and spa in Metairie, Claire was facing one of the biggest challenges of her life. In the early 1960s, she was a divorced mother raising five young children: Gary, Eric, Heidi, and twin daughters Holli and Heather. Like many parents, she wanted to provide a better future for her family, but she wasn’t sure how she would get there.
At the time, Claire worked small jobs while caring for her children. Eventually, she realized she needed more than a paycheck. She needed a career.
At 35 years old, she decided to pursue a dream she had carried since she was 15 years old: becoming a beautician.
Many people would have said it was too late. Claire believed otherwise.
Taking a Leap of Faith
Claire enrolled in beauty school while raising five children on her own. Most of her classmates were teenagers, but she never let that discourage her. She knew exactly why she was there.
She placed her children’s school pictures on her beauty kit so she never forgets who she was working for. Every haircut, every lesson, and every long day in school brought her one step closer to creating a better life for her family.
Money was tight. Claire and her children lived in a small double house. Her children became some of the first “latchkey kids” of their time. The family learned to make the most of what they had. There were colorful neighbors, afternoon clients visiting the house for appointments, and even a car with a large hole in the floor.
Those years were not easy, but they taught lessons that would shape generations to come.
Claire showed her children the value of hard work. She showed them how to stay focused when life became difficult. Most importantly, she showed them that giving up was never an option.
Whenever she felt overwhelmed, her father reminded her
“Claire, you can do it and you have to.”
She believed him.
Building More Than a Salon
After graduating from beauty school, Claire began working in the beauty industry and quickly built strong relationships with her clients. She loved helping people feel good about themselves, but she also dreamed of owning her own salon.
In 1973, that dream became reality.
Claire purchased her first salon, Salon de la Lorino. She hired talented beauty professionals, expanded the team, and created something much bigger than a business.
She created a family.
As the business grew, so did her vision. In 1975, she took another leap and opened a larger salon called Kontinental Kutups on Transcontinental Drive.
At Kontinental Kutups, Claire built more than a successful salon. She built a community.
Her salons became places filled with laughter, encouragement, and connection. Team members celebrated together, dressed up for holidays, and enjoyed every opportunity to make work fun. Every Friday afternoon, they would second-line around the salon, bringing energy and joy into the workplace.
Claire believed that people performed their best when they felt valued.
She also believed in investing in her team. Every Friday morning, she gathered everyone together for meetings filled with encouragement.
She always ended those meetings with a quote:
“Remember you’re beautiful when you smile.”
That message wasn’t just for clients. It was for everyone around her.
The Beginning of H2O Salon & Spa
While Claire was building successful salons, six eyes were always watching.
Her three daughters grew up sweeping floors, cleaning stations, shampooing hair, and spending weekends in the salon. They watched their mother work hard. They watched her care for clients. They watched her lead with kindness.
Over time, they fell in love with the business.
Claire often told her daughters, “You can do anything.”
Those words stayed with them.
In June 1988, twin daughters Holli and Heather decided to open a salon of their own. With financial support from their parents and encouragement from the woman who inspired them, H2O Salon & Spa was born.
What started as one mother’s dream had become the next generation’s reality.
A Legacy That Lives On
Today, H2O remains one of the biggest and most trusted salons in Metairie, but its foundation has never changed.
The values Claire lived by still guide the business every day. Service matters. Relationships matter. Excellence matters. Most of all, people matter.
Holli Gaspard story “We hope people think of a place where they are taken care of, where trust is built, and where they feel seen and valued.”
As H2O Salon & Spa celebrates 38 years this June, we honor the woman who made it all possible. Claire’s story reminds us that dreams do not have an expiration date. One person’s courage can change a family, inspire a generation, and create something that lasts far beyond a lifetime.
Celebrate With Us
This month, we proudly celebrate 38 years of H2O Salon & Spa and the incredible legacy that started with Claire’s dream.
We also want to thank every guest who has been part of our journey. Your trust and support have made this milestone possible. From longtime clients who have been with us for decades to first-time guests who have recently discovered H2O, each of you has played a role in our story. We are honored to serve you and grateful that you have allowed us to be part of your lives.
If you’re looking for a salon and spa in Metairie where relationships, service, and care come first, we invite you to visit us. Book your appointment today and become part of the story that continues to grow with every guest we serve.