Meet the dedicated entrepreneurs reshaping hospitality, retail and personal care in the Bull City
By Katrina McLean | Photography by John Michael Simpson
A Cut Above
Husband-and-wife team Leu Freycinet and Lex Freycinet brought a long-held vision to life when they opened Steelo Salon in April 2025 after relocating from California to Raleigh a few years ago. “I always wanted to open my own salon,” Lex says, while Leu adds that the timing finally allowed them to follow their dreams. The GeerHouse location immediately resonated with the pair. “It felt like who we are at our core,” Lex says.
Launching the business came with a few obstacles, such as unexpected construction expenses that included the addition of a mezzanine to fit more service stations. Lex recalls the learning curve of figuring out “all the things we would actually need to be functional.”
But once doors did open, Steelo built a loyal following by centering its brand on community, wellness, empowerment and integrity. “Staying consistent with those has really helped us reach the clientele we want,” says Marketing Manager Aleecyana Mills.
Popular services range from curl treatments and short cuts to lived-in color and extensions, with added emphasis on long-term hair and scalp health. Beyond aesthetics, Steelo prioritizes inclusivity and comfort. Clients experiencing hair loss can access more private spaces, and the salon welcomes families, including young children, without hesitation. “We want everybody to feel good in our space,” Leu says.
Leu adds that Steelo’s current focus is on education and mentoring younger stylists, reinforcing its commitment to internal growth and professional development. Lex views balance as the ultimate goal – “work to live instead of live to work” – but also finds success rooted in the everyday moments at the salon. Hospitality shapes the experience at Steelo, Leu says – “It’s about the way you make people feel,” he shares – an energy that clients recognize the moment they walk through the door.
Herd Around Town
Mother-daughter duo Preeti Waas and Amy Waas joined forces once again to launch Nanny Goat Market last year, opening the locally driven retail concept in August 2025 at Horseshoe at Hub RTP in Research Triangle Park before expanding with a second location downtown just a few months later. Amy describes the business as “that neighborhood feel of a market,” shaped by the people it serves. “We really love Durham [and feel] connected with the community here,” she says, noting that relationships formed through their restaurant, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, helped lay the groundwork for branching into the market space.
Each shop functions as both a marketplace and a platform for local artisans, bakers and makers, featuring small-batch goods, household supplies, handcrafted items and North Carolina-based food products such as locally roasted beans from Little Waves Coffee Roasters and Devil’s Foot Beverage Company’s craft sodas. Downtown’s warm-toned interior and dedicated kids corner invites guests to linger, while the RTP location offers a more curated convenience-meets-boutique experience. “It all comes together in a way that feels very personable,” Amy says.
Building the business hasn’t been without challenges, particularly around visibility and access to funding, especially as women business owners. Still, collaboration remains central to the market’s identity. Rotating residencies – including with fellow Best of Durham winner Andia’s Ice Cream, served at the downtown location through the summer – and partnerships with other small businesses offer “little bursts” of exposure while helping the business remain responsive to public interests.
Named after the nurturing nanny goat that watches over the herd, the market reflects Preeti’s focus on creating opportunities for minority groups and microenterprises that “otherwise have challenges getting their products into stores.” Preeti says one of her proudest accomplishments has been building these businesses alongside her daughter: “Amy is really good at uplifting people and giving them the space to do their jobs well,” Preeti says.
For Amy and Preeti, fulfillment extends far beyond adding new ventures to their beloved brand. They measure it through sustainability, balance and meaningful community connection. “If there’s something [Durham] would like to see, we’d love to hear it,” Amy says.
Shake It Up
Primrose Bar & Lounge has quickly established itself as more than just a cocktail bar – it’s a gathering place that reflects Durham’s inclusive culture. Opened in April 2025, co-owners Darryl Coleman and Mike Douglass developed the concept after years of entertaining others, whether it was at themed parties or daiquiri tastings inspired by family recipes. What began as casual hosting eventually evolved into a long-planned business that found a home in a prime downtown location on West Main Street.
The road to opening wasn’t without setbacks. Construction delays, unexpected electrical work and supply chain disruptions pushed the launch. Mike and Darryl credit Durham’s business collective and organizations like Downtown Durham Inc. with helping them navigate those hurdles. “This city really wants to see you succeed,” Mike says.
Connection and creativity define nearly every aspect of the lounge, from its eclectic, art-filled interior to collaborative cocktail development. The name Primrose references the flowering plant known for its natural healing properties, reinforcing the owners’ vision for the space as somewhere guests can unwind and recharge. Signature drinks like “Violets for Aunt Flossie” pay tribute to Mike’s aunt and her drink recipes, which inspired the bar’s creation, while a rotating lineup of themed events keep customers returning for new experiences.
The bar has also teamed up with neighboring Luna Rotisserie & Empanadas – a Best of Durham winner for its Latin American fare – to provide convenient food service for guests. Darryl says an expanded outdoor patio and plans for more community-focused events are already in motion. “We’re collaborating with a lot of businesses in the area,” he says, nodding to upcoming partnerships with nearby locales like The Pinhook – named one of the best venues for live music – just a few doors down. Together, the businesses hope to draw more foot traffic to this stretch of downtown by activating the shared back patio and walkway as an outdoor gathering space, complete with games. Primrose also plans to debut mimosa drink towers, available exclusively on Sundays.
The co-owners quantify their work by longevity and impact rather than profit margins. Their goal is simple: to create a lasting institution where guests leave feeling better than when they arrived.
Vital Signs
Gameday Men’s Health opened in September 2025 with a mission to address men’s health concerns through personalized, medically guided care. Managing partner Will Knecht says his own experience with symptoms such as low energy and brain fog help him relate to many of the men the clinic serves. “We’re about helping guys optimize and extend their quality of life,” he says.
The clinic offers services ranging from peptide treatments and weight management to hair-loss solutions and testosterone replacement therapy, all aimed at improving physical and mental well-being. Speed and accessibility drive the clinic’s approach – lowering barriers to care by streamlining what can often become a lengthy process into a single visit and removing many upfront costs. “A guy will come in, they’ll have their blood drawn and tested in our in-clinic lab and [then] spend 30 to 40 minutes with our provider,” Will explains. “In one hour, they’ll know how they’re doing, and that consultation is complimentary.”
Will adds that the most rewarding part of the business comes from hearing how treatment has improved patients’ lives. “When you’re able to do really good for people and families, it’s so rewarding.” That impact also includes challenging stigma around seeking care for health issues that are often difficult for men to discuss. He emphasizes the importance of confidential, judgment-free support that allows clients to be open about what they’re experiencing.
Will encourages aspiring business owners in Durham to build connections early and points to organizations like the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce as valuable resources for networking and civic engagement. Looking ahead, the clinic plans to expand its hours from operating two full days a week to four – its now open 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays as well 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday – while continuing to strengthen local partnerships. He says the Southcourt building’s visibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community ultimately made the Bull City an easy choice for expanding the brand. “We just want to continue to help more guys in Durham,” he says.
