Whether preparing for a single occasion or maintaining the right look, customers will find the expanded Something Sassy salon can provide for a myriad of needs.
The business owned 12 years by Stephanie Stokes moved from its original location, the former site of Richard Porter's barber shop, in 2010 to the corner retail space at 705 W. Buchanan St. in 2010. Six months ago, Stokes had the opportunity to extend her business into the adjacent storefront, again.
The hair care side remains in its familiar state.
But, the waxing room, instead of being at the back of the business is now a pass through into a nail design area and then a massage therapy room and employee break room.
"I feel like God opened a door for me," Stokes said.
In addition to the additional space, Stokes has provided space for additional jobs.
"I never thought I'd have seven stylists," she said. "It's awesome; I never thought my business would be as big as it is."
As her customer base has grown, so has the education and training for her and her staff, she said.
"We want to provide a five-star experience here," Stokes said. "We love making people happy."
When the option to expand next door first came to her from landlord Norris Gerhart, Stokes said she didn't know exactly what she would use it for.
With two stylists willing to extend their training to include nail care, she said she thought that was something the community could use. They offer gel manicures, which last at least two weeks, as well as designs, stamps, foils and other specialty work.
"Nails complete the look," Stokes said. "We can now take care of people from head to toe."
By opening two walls and splashing white paint and glitter on the wall, a storage closet was transformed into a cozy space for attention to nails.
Behind it is an employee break room, something they haven't had in the past. And, Stokes has a private office, which helps her bookkeeper and mom, Julie Pace, too.
The once open retail space now also includes a private room for massage therapy by Whitney Crawford. A 2014 graduate of Metro Business College, Crawford works two-days-a-week but hopes eventually to increase her hours at Something Sassy.
"It's been great so far," she said.
Serving clients 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays and 3:30-8 p.m. Thursdays, Crawford said she has sold many gift certificates this holiday season.
Before the storefront location, Crawford traveled to client locations with a table.
In the dedicated room, she can build a relaxing atmosphere with mood music, heated towels and essential oils.
For some people, massage therapy is a luxury. But for many it is an additional method to maintain general health, she said.
"It's good to get the body nice and relaxed when you're so stressed from everyday wear and tear," Crawford said. "It helps keep the body in balance."
She offers Swedish massage for general relaxation, deep tissue massage for localized areas of pain and maternity massage for expectant mothers who cannot lay on their front.
The expansion also has created room for Schelle Stokes to add eyelash extensions and a dedicated make-up location, which they hope opens in January.
The meticulous eyelash extension work takes about two hours, as each lash receives a single extension. But, customers are thrilled with the results of immediately thicker and longer lashes without mascara.
"We hope people come in to try it out," Schelle Stokes said.