Friday, May 25, 2007

Where Do You Work?


This is my Salon. I've been in business for 13 years now. I wanted to own my own salon since I was about 10 and as far back as I've been able to remember this was my dream.


I opened my 1st salon when I was 24 years old in a little mini mall in a little town called Borden which is now home to the longest unsuspended bridge in the world. I opened my salon while 2000 people came there from all over the world to build this 10 km. structure. I was the only salon in town, so it was very busy. The bridge took 4 years in total to build then it quickly became a ghost town. Most of the locals had worked on the ferry boats all their lives and now were jobless and had to move to various other places to find work including myself, I moved my salon into the city to another mall and worked on building my clientele up pretty much from scratch again. I worked 12 hour days to accommodate anyone who would cast a shadow across my door. Then I added nail enhancements to my venue. I was one of the only 2 nail technicians in the province and became busy very fast. I took every nail enhancement course I could and soon became very good at it. I placed 1st for Atlantic Canada in a nail enhancement competition which was a great advertising for me. It got to the point where I could finally cut my hours back to 8 hrs a day. I moved to another space in the mall after 4 years and had a few employees working for me. Two years later my husband and I built our home and decided that I would add my salon to the side of the house with its own entrance. I have been her for 3 years and I love it. I work by myself now and the traffic is minimal en route to work ;O). I have a beautiful deck with a gazebo on it to do nails in on nice days and I couldn't be happier. I book clients 2 months in advance now and have to turn clients away everyday. Through sweat and tears I made my dream come true. Posted by Picasa


Here are a couple of pictures of my work space. Notice on my desk I have a jar of fortune cookies instead of a candy dish!! I really love the country gingerbread house look, it makes my clients feel at home.

This is one of the perks to having a salon in your home...you can do your own hair anytime you want! This is me being silly with a highlighting cap on. I do foils to most other people but I do the cap on myself cause it is easier. The name of my salon is Abraca-Debra's. My name is Debbie not Debra but Abraca-Debbie's didn't sound as nice. I love what I do. So where do you work? Is it your dream job?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're cute! So is your salon. I putz about on my 'farm'. I scare truck drivers who happen by in the morning with my farm girl diva fashion choices =)

Middle-Aged Moi said...

My dream job is what I am doing....being with my kids and teaching them. I love them both! I wish I lived near your salon, I would go for sure! :-)

4D said...

LOVE your story! You are awesome.

Keep smilin!

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you have been in business so long....makes us sound old!! I can remember when you first started out on your own....I also remembering the hours of practising on your nails....I never did get that table fixed that you spilled acetone or something on. I am so proud of you!!!I miss having you do my hair but I know what it is like to be busy!! I myself am self employed...I hope I have the success that you have had.....kimmer.......god bless

Dannye said...

I am a legal assistant, in commercial litigation, i have worked for the same attorney for 11 yrs, and lurves my job...i used to work in domestic (too disturbing), and criminal (again too disturbing, and i cared too much....)....

Shannon said...

Awesome. Way to live out the American dream!

Lisa said...

Loved your sharing. What a great idea. I think I'll take a picture of my class closed (very small room) and share.

I just love your photo. You look like my kind of girl. Silly and funloving.

Natalie & Daniel Arsenault said...

You're a cutie...even with a silly cap on your head!!

Nadine said...

Love your salon and the your picture of yourself - what fun. I think it wonderful when anyone can make a living out of what they love to do. I rejoice with them.

I at this moment am not, but maybe one day I will.

Nikki said...

What a wonderful and inspiring story! I love your salon -- good for you! (love the pic too, you are just darlin'!)

I am a server...certainly not my dream job but I haven't stopped dreaming.
Although I am a mom, too, and that is DEFINITELY a dream come true.

Calico Sky said...

what a great post, and what a great business you have!!
Now, I am in need of a new stylist, but I think it would be a very expencive haircut having to fly across the ocean to get it!!! lol
Thanks for sharing!

Elisa...life as we know it. said...

That's a great story, I am so glad that all your hard work paid off.
I work as a sales rep for a fiber component manufacturer.
It's very busy at the moment as we are short staffed...when we are at a normal staff level it's enjoyable...my dream job though...maybe not.

redmaryjanes said...

Your salon looks wonderful! I would love to be able to work from my home. I work for a telecommunications company. I sell and provision data/computer networks. I do love my job, but I think it would still be great to have your own successful home business.

cougchick said...

Love to hear that you are doing what you love and the commute is fantastic. You have a really cute set up. I am not sure that "cap" would work at my job. I wear a surgical cap a large part of the time.

Shionge said...

Hey...greetings from Singapore..just swing by from Nadine's blog :)

Love your salon and if I do visit you, can you give me a hair cut too :)

OziMum said...

You are so clever! I love that you can do your own hair!!! It must be pretty hard to do it yourself, though? I have foils done, but I still think the cap, gives a better job. It makes me cry every time though!!! Did I tell you, I've stopped torturing Harry with home-hair jobs?!!! Poor bugga! After I shaved him a bald patch... we visit the salon now!!!

LOVE you salon. I too, am VERY partial to the "country" look. Its very welcoming and homey. Love it!

Shannon said...

I wished you lived closer to me because I can't find a good hair salon at all in my area... love the look of it!!!