Salon Ella Par
In Episode 82, host Allison Shores (Camden County Chamber of Commerce) welcomes Jill Gay-Garay, the owner of Salon Ellar, for a fun, community-centered conversation about how Jill built one of Camden County’s most well-known self-care destinations—complete with a full salon, spa services, and a boutique next door.
Jill shares her roots as a born-and-raised Camden County local (44 years) and opens up about the heart behind her business: building something meaningful for her family, her team, and the community that continues to support her year after year.
Key Highlights
The story behind the name “Ella”
Jill explains the salon name is personal: it comes from her children—Ella Morgan and Parker James (“Parks”). She combined their names into “Ella Par” → “Ellar.” She opened the business in 2007, when her daughter was 3 and her son was 3 months old.From 3 people to a growing team
Salon Elar started with just three staff members and has grown into a team of around 20 employees, including:10 hairdressers
3 massage therapists
3 estheticians (who also support nail services)
2 nail techs
Plus the boutique team and the “backbone” crew Jill shouts out: Kayla, Emmy, and Julie.A “walk in and feel at home” experience
Allison highlights how the salon always has someone ready to greet you, making it easy to know exactly where to go. Jill says that warm welcome is intentional—she wants every guest to feel like they’re walking into family.
She also designed the space so retail is accessible without customers feeling awkward walking through the entire salon.Boutique Ellar’s growth (and why boutique buying is a gamble)
Jill talks about launching the boutique in 2013—starting with one rack, then expanding room by room as it grew. Eventually, after purchasing the building, they were able to expand into a suite and create a more stand-alone boutique experience while still keeping everything connected “like branches of the same tree.”
When it comes to inventory, Jill says boutique buying is basically shopping with other people’s eyes—so the team buys together across different ages, sizes, and styles to bring variety.Still behind the chair after 25 years
Even as the business owner, Jill still works as a stylist—and she’s been doing hair for 25 years. She admits balancing management and client appointments can be tough, but she still loves the work and has long-time clients she’s kept for years.Team culture matters
Jill describes Salon Elar as a true work family. Two of the original team members, Hie and Brenda, are still with her. Jill emphasizes respect, caring about each other’s lives, and keeping drama out of the workplace.Real talk: hormones, sleep, and “rat’s nest hair”
In a relatable moment, Allison brings up nighttime sweating and waking up with hair everywhere. Jill recommends a simple fix: keep the silk pillowcase—but add a silk bonnet, since sweating and movement during sleep are major contributors.Fun rapid-fire moments
Favorite Camden County spots: Chick-fil-A and Drunken Noodle (next door to the salon).
Go-to hair product: Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Texture Spray for airy texture and “a little grit.”
Does hair change as you age? Jill: “100%.”
If Jill got $1,000 to spend on herself: a trip—because leaving town helps her reset without feeling guilty for resting.
Closing Vibe
This episode is a great reminder that some of the best local gems are right in your backyard—and Salon Ellar is one of them: hair, spa, nails, and boutique shopping all in one stop. Jill’s gratitude for Camden County shines through, and Allison continues her mission of helping the community discover the people and businesses that make Camden County what it is.
