Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Falduto.
Hi Christina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Studio 89 was never just a business—it was built from belief, resilience, and a whole lot of heart.
It all started in April 2019 with a simple Craigslist listing for a small salon in Hampton, NJ. It wasn’t perfect—in fact, it needed a lot of work—but it was an opportunity. With the help of family, we transformed that space into something that felt like home. In the beginning, it was just the two of us—showing up every single day, building something from nothing.
As the business slowly began to grow, we took a big step and hired our very first employee—Lindsay—just two weeks before the world shut down.
Less than a year in, everything changed.
Like so many others, we were forced to close our doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. For five months, our future felt uncertain. During that same time, the building we were renting space in went into foreclosure. It was completely out of our control, and unfortunately, the property was no longer being properly maintained—forcing us to make a difficult but necessary decision to relocate.
What could have ended everything instead became a turning point.
We moved to Spring Street in Newton, NJ, and reopened in July 2020—starting over, not by choice, but by necessity.
It was in Newton where Studio 89 truly began to grow. What started as just the two of us slowly turned into a team. Lindsay, our very first hire, stayed with us through it all—and is still part of Studio 89 today, which means more than we can put into words.
The early days were not glamorous. There were times we showed up seven days a week, from morning to night, with no clients walking through the door. But we kept going. Slowly, things began to shift. One client turned into a few… and eventually, into fully booked days that once felt impossible.
Behind the scenes, there was sacrifice. Long commutes. Financial pressure. Time apart. My husband worked tirelessly to support both our home and this dream, carrying the weight so I could continue building what I loved. Studio 89 exists today because of his belief in me—especially during the moments I didn’t yet believe in myself.
I’ve spent over 13 years in the personal care industry, something I grew up around, something that has always been part of me. But owning a business? That was never something I thought I could do—until I did.
Now, nearly seven years later, we are stepping into our next chapter.
We’ve purchased our own building. We’re expanding. We’re growing into a full-service destination designed to offer not just beauty—but an experience.
It hasn’t been easy. And it still isn’t.
But it’s ours.
And every challenge, every setback, and every small win along the way has made it all the more meaningful.
Studio 89 was built with love, resilience, and partnership—and that’s exactly what you feel the moment you walk through our doors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We’ve faced:
Empty days where no one walked through the door
Moments of uncertainty where everything felt like it could fall apart
A forced shutdown that put our future on pause
Losing a location we had built from the ground up—through no fault of our own
Starting over when it would have been easier to give up
Sacrificing time, stability, and comfort to keep going
And still… we showed up.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Studio 89 Spa is a full-service salon and spa focused on customized, high-quality beauty and wellness services. We specialize in skincare, nails, brows, lashes, and hair—always tailored to each client.
We’re known for our experience-driven approach—clients come not just for results, but for how they feel when they’re here.
What sets us apart is our attention to detail, personalization, and the fact that we’ve built everything from the ground up with real passion and intention.
What I’m most proud of is growing from just two people into a full-service destination with an amazing team and loyal client base.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Newton will always be part of our story—it’s where Studio 89 truly grew, where we built our team, and where so many of our relationships began.
But as we’ve evolved, we knew it was time for a space that could grow with us.
Sandyston offers something truly special—a small, tight-knit town surrounded by beautiful farm landscapes, with a sense of warmth and community you can feel the moment you arrive.
Our new home sits on three picturesque acres, giving us the space and freedom to expand into the full-service, elevated destination we’ve always envisioned.
This move is rooted in growth, intention, and creating something even more meaningful—for both our team and our clients.
Pricing:
- Brow Wax — starting at $20
- Signature Facial — starting at $115
- Structured Gel Manicure — starting at $65
- Luxury Pedicure — starting at $75
- Women’s Haircut + Style — starting at $65
Contact Info:
- Website: https://link.booksy.com/studio89spa
