Double dose of accomplishment: Sam’s Beauty Source & Salon serves customers at 2 locations

Sam Whittle experienced been a hair stylist for quite a few yrs in the Bay Place right before she and her husband, Leroy, moved to Grass Valley. Sam liked operating with buyers and experienced a keen interest in attractiveness provides, but she was on the lookout ahead to a very little time off immediately after their transfer to Nevada County.

It didn’t very last extended.

Having lived listed here just a handful of small months, Sam wandered into what was then Belle Attractiveness Offer & Salon subsequent to Raley’s. She walked out with a position.



A few several years later on she went to perform for the now-defunct TLC Natural beauty Supply & Salon, a further Grass Valley splendor provide shop in the Brunswick Basin.

“The day she quit TLC, she just happened to generate by a dress store in the vicinity of what is now CVS. It was closing and experienced a ‘for lease’ signal in the window,” reported Leroy. “We went to see the landlord appropriate way.”



In addition to paying her total profession in the salon and elegance source enterprise, Sam experienced often dreamed of getting a wig store.

“My mother, other household associates and lots of pals have died from most cancers,” she said. “I required a spot that would excel in wigs, but I knew a wig store would not remain in organization on its possess. I considered the combination of wigs, professional attractiveness supplies and a salon would be fantastic. I told Leroy it was time to devote in me.”

She was ideal, stated Leroy. Sam’s Elegance Source & Salon has been financially rewarding given that working day a single, which was in November of 1996.

“Leroy should really know,” mentioned Sam with a chortle. “He’s the figures dude.”

Not only that, the bulk of Leroy’s vocation had been taking care of a string of large Long’s Drug merchants all over Northern California. His background in consumer provider, remodeling, merchandising and human means was comprehensive. He finally retired from Long’s and commenced focusing his focus on his wife’s retail store.

In 1998, just two several years soon after opening their very first keep, Belle Elegance Supply & Salon opted to relocate to Auburn. Sam and Leroy jumped at the prospect to set up store, Sam’s II, in the vacated house. They by no means seemed back.

Currently the two suppliers are heading powerful, said Sam, who has included a third companion to the business — her stepdaughter, Leroy’s daughter, Amy Hotchkiss.

“I’ve form of backed absent from the enterprise the past pair of many years,” claimed Sam. “I love Amy’s passion and her eagerness to understand — she is aware so substantially a lot more than I do now.”

Although Amy oversees everyday functions in the Sutton Way keep, longtime staff and mate Stephanie Frey manages Sam’s II. Sam acknowledges that these two have contributed greatly to the accomplishment of her small business.

Both spots are open 7 times a 7 days, and the Sam’s II salon is open up Sundays — a unusual occurrence in Nevada County.

Items in the two shops involve wigs, extensions, expert hair and nail care merchandise, curlers, hair shade and components and expert hair appliances, this sort of as dryers and flat irons. Amy says she loves it when she will get to grill profits reps on their products and solutions.

“I love possessing access to the men and women who develop the products and solutions. I like dorking out with the chemists,” she mentioned. “I also adore likely to hair displays and mastering all I can.”

Each outlets also offer refills at a lowered cost for some of their top rated manufacturer shampoos and conditioners.

But Amy and other staffers say the most satisfying aspect of their work opportunities is when they get to move into the wig portion.

“We have purchasers who arrive in terrified for the reason that they have been diagnosed with most cancers. Understandably, some are really sad and shaken up,” said Amy. “But we commit as much time as an individual requires — often an hour — to teach them on their alternatives. It’s so uplifting to see their faces brighten up — it’s like viewing a bride see herself in the mirror for the first time. Some want to wear the wig out the doorway that working day.”

Leroy reported it’s clear the staff members members take pleasure in their work.

“There’s an aura about you when you are having entertaining at your task,” he mentioned. “Personal contact is everything.”

Amy agrees.

“Our enthusiasm is your hair — enable us see what we can do for you,” she said.

“Whether it’s a cancer affected person, a grandmother or a teenager with pink hair, we do not choose. I enjoy aiding folks truly feel greater about on their own. I get psychological mainly because I like it so a great deal. We want to make you the very best attainable you.”

To speak to workers author Cory Fisher, electronic mail her at [email protected] or connect with 530-477-4203.