The business continued to grow and in 1984 Eva, an aesthetician joined the team. She and her husband Michael would purchase The Follicle from Irmgard in 1989. Eva and Michael successfully ran the business for the next 24 years, adding new services, expanding and growing.
I met Eva in 1996 while attending a course in Burlington that was focused on getting adults back into the workforce. I was a single parent at the time and was trying to figure out what my new career was going to be after spending years in the hospitality field working as a bartender. Great job but not easily managed with a 4-year-old daughter at home. The course I attended included researching possible job opportunities and continuing education if needed. I explored office management opportunities given my interest in computers and organizing (I admit I’m a nerd). Everything I explored left me feeling uncertain, a far cry from the social environment of bartending. It was my Mom who suggested I explore the hairstyling field as she and I spent many hours doing our hair at home together. I have to say hairstyling was not something I had considered. In fact, anything to do with personal care never entered my mind but as I started to think more about it, it started to make sense as hair and particularly skincare was very important to me personally. I had struggled with sensitive skin, eczema and other challenges throughout most of my life.
Based on a recommendation from a friend (Earline), I made a hair appointment at The Follicle Beauty Center for a haircut with Pat. Do any of these names sound familiar? 🙂 I arrived for my haircut and proceeded to chat with Pat about what was involved in becoming a hairstylist, such as schooling, an apprenticeship and so on. It was very informative but I quickly realized it would require at least a few years to get myself trained, complete an apprenticeship, and work in the industry. I didn’t have that kind of time. As we chatted and I received probably the best cut I’d ever had, a lady walked through the salon. I could tell she was an employee and immediately asked Pat what she did. “Oh, she’s an aesthetician”. I had an ah-ha moment. We completed the appointment and I walked up to the front building and booked a manicure for the following week.
Read Part 1 here
Read Part 3 here
