Our Legacy
A story built on passion, reinvention, and raising the standard.
The Beginning
Long before the salons, the accolades, and the teams they’ve mentored, there was simply a love for the craft.
Michelle brings more than 30 years of experience in the beauty industry. She spent nine formative years working at D’Aversa in Long Beach, where she developed the foundation of her artistry and built a loyal clientele. It was there that the vision for something bigger began to take shape.
Together, Scott and Michelle Shelton believed a salon could be more than a place for services. It could be a place where creativity thrives, where guests feel genuinely cared for, and where stylists grow into confident artists and leaders.
In 2003, that vision came to life.
Bella Salon of Naples
2003–2016
Located on beautiful Naples Island in Long Beach, Bella Salon of Naples quickly became known as the city’s first true luxury salon.
Every detail was intentional. Fresh flowers and elegant orchids adorned nearly every surface. Guests were welcomed with thoughtful touches like monogrammed cookies and a warm, personalized experience that made the salon feel both elevated and inviting.
Bella also became a place of innovation. It was the first salon in the area to introduce balayage, bringing renowned educator Nancy Braun to Long Beach to teach and perfect the technique. The team also created one of the city’s first dedicated blow dry bars, giving guests a new way to enjoy professional styling.
Education was already becoming central to the culture. Top educators from around the world were invited to teach advanced techniques, and the salon regularly hosted fashion shows, including collaborations with brands such as Chloé.
Beyond the salon walls, Scott and Michelle were deeply connected to their community, partnering with local charities through fundraisers and service initiatives.
Bella Salon of Naples wasn’t just successful — it helped set the standard for what a modern salon experience could be in Long Beach.
But Scott and Michelle have never believed in standing still.
Dean Anthony Men’s Salon
2006–2010
In 2006, they introduced something completely new to the city: Dean Anthony Men’s Salon, named after their son.
It was the first salon of its kind in Long Beach, designed specifically for men and built around an elevated, experience-driven concept.
The salon quickly became a destination for prominent members of the community — including business leaders, judges, the mayor, local celebrities, NBA players, and professional coaches.
The atmosphere was unlike anything guests had seen before. There was beer on tap, televisions built directly into mirrors, and video games ranging from PlayStation and Xbox to Guitar Hero. Guests could enjoy pizza during happy hour, relax with complimentary massages while waiting, and even receive manicures, pedicures, facials, and massage services.
It was lively, innovative, and incredibly busy.
Yet even with its success, Scott and Michelle realized something important: they missed the creative energy of a full-service salon environment.
Once again, they chose evolution over comfort.
Dean Anthony Salon + Spa
2010–2016
The salon closed for a complete transformation and reopened as Dean Anthony Salon + Spa, expanding the concept into a full-service luxury experience.
The space itself was entirely reimagined. A thoughtfully curated color palette was chosen to create a sophisticated setting designed to appeal to both men and women, custom wallpaper was installed from floor to ceiling, lighting was redesigned, and new floors were laid throughout the salon. What had once been an eight-chair salon grew into a sixteen-chair space designed for both comfort and creativity. The guest experience expanded as well, welcoming estheticians and massage therapists, alongside the hair services the team had always loved.
Luxury details continued to define the space. Fresh flowers and orchids remained a signature element. Elevated snack offerings added another thoughtful touch to each visit.
During this time, the salon also became known for bringing the feather extension trend to Long Beach, quickly becoming the go-to destination for the look with waitlists stretching weeks long.
Even as the salon flourished, Scott and Michelle continued to reflect on how they could best support their growing team of artists.
Expanding the Vision
Salon Drew — Los Alamitos
2014–2020
As their reputation grew, so did their team.
New talent was emerging — stylists full of potential who were ready to begin their careers but needed the right environment to grow and refine their craft.
Scott and Michelle recognized the need for a space where these rising artists could build confidence while developing their skills.
In 2014, they opened Salon Drew in Los Alamitos, named after their daughter. The intimate salon featured nine stations and quickly developed a personality of its own. Designed with a younger energy and a welcoming atmosphere, it attracted a vibrant clientele and quickly became known as the place to go in Los Alamitos.
What started as a space for emerging talent quickly became something much bigger.
Demand grew rapidly.
Dean Anthony Salon
2016–2026
While Salon Drew continued to grow, Dean Anthony Salon was also evolving.
Though the salon had developed an outstanding reputation for spa services, Scott and Michelle realized they wanted to return to the heart of their expertise: hair.
The salon closed once again for a thoughtful renovation, transforming the space into a refined environment designed specifically for creative hair artistry.
Beautiful polished concrete floors replaced earlier finishes. Rich dark wood details added warmth throughout the salon, and custom Jonathan Adler lighting elevated the atmosphere. A newly designed shampoo room created an even more comfortable experience for guests.
The result was a salon that reflected everything they had learned over more than a decade of growth. Scott and Michelle traveled the world and brought back ideas from other salons to help them create a newly designed Dean Anthony Salon.
Salon Drew
Long Beach Exchange (LBX)
2020–Present
As the salon’s popularity continued to grow, it became clear that a larger space was needed. In 2020, Salon Drew relocated to Long Beach Exchange, expanding into a beautiful 3,000-square-foot salon that allowed the team to continue growing while maintaining the culture that had made the original location so special.
The space quickly became one of the busiest salons in the city, welcoming an incredible number of guests and building a reputation for both artistry and atmosphere.
The salon itself reflects the same thoughtful design Scott and Michelle have always valued. Lush plants bring life throughout the space, while a hidden speakeasy-style barbershop- The Shop at LBX- adds another unique element to the experience.
Salon Drew has since become one of the top-performing salons in the region and is now recognized as one of the Top 100 L’Oréal Professionnel salons in the country.
Dean Anthony Salon + Academy
2026–Present
Today, the next chapter continues with Dean Anthony Salon + Academy.
While the academy may now be official in name, education has been part of our foundation since day one. Rebranding simply reflects what we have always been- an environment devoted to learning, mentorship, and continual elevation of our craft.
As the only advanced academy of its kind in Long Beach, the space serves as both a luxury salon and an educational center dedicated to developing the next generation of hair professionals.
Stylists who have recently completed beauty school come here to refine their skills through hands-on training and mentorship, while experienced stylists continue to advance their techniques in cutting, color, and creative artistry.
Education has always been central to Scott and Michelle’s vision. Over the past two decades, they have mentored countless stylists — many of whom have gone on to open successful salons and businesses of their own, some even becoming some of our biggest competitors.
That may be the legacy they are most proud of.
The Story Continues
More than twenty years after opening their first salon, Scott and Michelle’s vision continues to grow. Today, Salon Drew and Dean Anthony Salon + Academy are by far the most highly rated salons on Yelp, and stand among the Top 100 L’Oréal Professionnel salons in the country — both of which they are extremely proud of. A reflection of the dedication, creativity, and culture they have built together. But awards were never the goal.
The true legacy is the people: the guests who have trusted them for years, the artists who have grown within their salons, and the community that continues to support them.
And the story is still being written.
Experience the Legacy
We invite you to be part of it.
Book a reservation, explore our salons, or discover the next generation of artists through the Academy.
Because legacy isn’t built in a single moment. It’s built every day.
Book Your Reservation