Local Business Owner Revitalizes Nicholas Sebastian Salon & Spa with Meridian Bank’s Support

Before working with Meridian, Nicholas Sebastion Salon & Spa, located at 327 N. Newtown Street Road in Newtown Square, faced challenges in securing financing from other banks.

“The biggest challenge was securing financing, as it took nine months of working with another bank through the SBA process, only to face repeated delays and the stigma of being labeled a high-risk industry due to being a hair salon,” explained Scamuffa.

But then, Scamuffa was introduced to Meridian Bank by Seedcopa, a partner organization that helps businesses get the money they need to start, grow, and expand. The opportunity quickly turned the heads of decision-makers at Meridian — with the input of none other than the head of C&I Lending, Geoff Sheehan, and his wife, Kate Sheehan.

Scamuffa amusingly recalls the story, stating that Kate Sheehan’s hair-care expenses sparked Geoff’s interest in hearing out Nicholas Sebastian Salon & Spa’s need for a loan. Initially surprised by how much his wife spent compared to his $20 haircuts, Sheehan was then convinced that Scamuffa’s salon was a business venture worth getting behind, due to its already-thriving growth and clientele base.

Meridian’s support came in the nick of time, as it propelled Scamuffa’s salon into a next-level location for the residents of Newtown Square and beyond.

Expanding Services: The Nicholas Sebastian Full-Service Spa Experience

“The average person in the beauty industry is willing to travel 15 minutes for their hair,” shared Scamuffa. “What makes this new location special is that we check a lot of boxes — we’re on a main road, have a beautiful space with plenty of parking, and offer a wide range of services. We’ve become a destination, so people are willing to travel further to come here.”

Having been in business for 19 years, Nicholas Sebastian Salon & Spa’s new location and need for an SBA loan was due to the salon’s need for more space and to accommodate a growing team and more customers.

“We grew from a 1,600-square-foot space to 5,500 square feet, expanding our team from 16 to 40 virtually overnight,” stated Scamuffa. “While this growth was incredible, operating in a rented space came with limitations — there were always constraints on what we could do, and we couldn’t make investments that would truly pay off in the long term.”

Scamuffa explains that the building of the new location had always been on his radar because of the parking, size of the location, and its prime location on Route 252. The renovation of the salon lasted roughly three years, with Meridian Bank being involved in financing the completion of the project for over a year. The finished Newtown Square location opened in October 2024.

Guests at the Nicholas Sebastion Salon & Spa in Newtown Square can now enjoy its roomy expanse of 9,100 square feet spread over two floors.

“This additional space allows us to create a full-service spa experience like never before,” said  Scamuffa. “While we always had a treatment room, we couldn’t provide a true spa atmosphere. Now, we have a completely soundproof area separate from the hustle and bustle of the salon, offering massages, facials, body treatments, full waxing services, and even eyelash extensions. With this expanded facility, we can now provide anything our clients need in a tranquil, dedicated space.”

Although the building had the right “bones,” the renovation process was quite an overhaul. Scamuffa jokingly alludes to the building, built in 1960, being held together with tape and glue.

With such a complex renovation and financing process occurring over an extended period, Scamuffa shares his gratitude for having Meridian Bank in his corner — particularly his trusted “go-tos” Ryan Mundy, Commercial Lending Portfolio Manager, and Ben Peek, VP, Commercial Lending.

“As a hair professional, not a math expert, I relied on Ben and Ryan, who guided me through the financial process, explaining bills and payments, offering support, and easing the nerve-wracking experience of managing overwhelming costs.”

He also shares that having worked with a “big bank” in the past, there was never a relationship beyond the institution taking his deposits. His outlook on banks changed once teaming with Meridian, as he’s now able to talk with someone who genuinely cares about his business’s needs and can help immediately.

“It’s completely different with Meridian,” said Scamuffa. “They ask, ‘What do you need?’ and you can call the person who makes decisions. I was able to sit in the boardroom with all the decision-makers, share my story, and have them genuinely listen and work with me. The best part is, if I have an issue, I can just pick up the phone and call.”

Scamuffa looks forward to the continued growth of his salon and its ability to accommodate more people and services. With his team’s collective 140-plus years of experience, he shares that there is something for everyone at Nicholas Sebastion Salon & Spa:

“The one thing I always say is that we have a team made up of all different ages, backgrounds, and experiences — there’s truly someone for everyone. We service everyone, from baby’s first haircut to grandma’s last, and everything in between. Our clientele reflects that diversity. No matter when you come in, you’ll see people of all ages and looks. It’s never just the same; it’s a mix of everything.”

Learn more at Meridian Bank. Founded in 2004 and based in Malvern, Meridian Bank specializes in business and industrial lending, as well as retail and commercial real estate lending.