Outstanding Philanthropic Small Business

Studio 904 Salons

Nominated by Diane Narasaki, Executive director and
Elisa Del Rosario, development Director:
Asian Counseling and Referral Service and Peg Morgan,
Director: Mercer Island Youth and Family Services

Imagine two successful small businesses. Where the "philosophy is to hire and train ordinary people to help them accomplish extraordinary things in their careers". Where a commitment to lifelong learning means four hours each week of paid technical and professional training for a staff which consists primarily of people of color, immigrants and persons with disabilities. Where a no-tipping policy designed to promote teamwork is supplemented by monthly employee bonus checks equaling 25% of the profits.

Imagine such unique practices and it won't come as a surprise that these employee-friendly policies have helped develop a business culture of extraordinary philanthropy and volunteerism.

When Kay Hirai founded her first studio 904 salon in Pioneer Square in 1982, she wanted to develop a business that was not only successful, but one that made a difference, especially in the lives of people facing difficult transitions into the mainstream work culture. For example, she has helped single immigrant mothers on welfare who were seeking self-sufficiency by hiring them and training them to become stylists, providing them with in-house classes where they could learn English, and coaching them to believe in themselves.

Opening a second location on Mercer Island in 1992: Kay's personal commitment to helping others has encouraged her staff to give back to the community. Through its "You're Looking Good" Program, the salons adopt a local elementary school for the year and provide students with free monthly haircuts, grooming kits, and opportunities to build social skills and self esteem. Mercer Island Youth and family services benefits from a day each every year where all proceeds are donated to the emergency assistance fund for low-income families. Five percent of the sale of Studio 904's environmentally friendly hair care products is contributed to environmental causes or other regional organizations. And, last June, Studio 904 salon in Pioneer Square closed for a day so the stylists could could perform make-overs and treat to a gourmet lunch, 30 high school girls about to start their summer internships as part of the YWCA's Young women's Leadership Institute.

In addition to the remarkable example of philanthropy she has promoted and inspired through her salons, Kay Hirai's advocacy for vocational and English training and the needs of the underemployed have been key to her service as a chair of the Governor's Small Business Improvement Council and as a board member of the Asian Counseling and Referral service. Through her Studio 904 Salons, Kay has shown how a profitable business and a core ethic of helping people can be mutually supportive.