When one door closed, another one opened for Amber Williamson and Mandi Higgins, owners of Karma Salon, 1107 Commercial St.
Williamson and Higgins both worked at another salon that closed, and they decided to go into business together on their own instead of working for somebody else like they always had. The two began looking for a space of their own and the location at 1107 Commercial St. fell into their laps, they said. It was formerly Studio C, which has relocated to another part of downtown Emporia. Williamson said they poked their heads into Studio C one day and relayed to the owner that they were looking for a place to venture out on their own. After talking to the owner their dream became a reality, and together they took over the salon and all the equipment inside it. Studio C owner Clarine Knapp took only her scissors and set to find another spot.
“We are very thankful to her,” Higgins said. “She stayed downtown and redid a space downtown.”
When they moved into the space, Williamson and Higgins added a pedicure booth, uncovered some brick walls and added a stackable washer and dryer. The rest of the salon came move-in ready and the two opened Karma on Sept. 8.
“We love being downtown,” Williamson said. “It has a total different feel for us.”
Williamson and Higgins run a full-service salon with hair cuts, hair coloring, perms, relaxers, facial waxing, eyebrows, lips and chin waxing, manicures and pedicures. They do wedding parties as well.
Williamson said she knew she didn’t want to go to traditional college. Instead, she went to cosmetology school and learned that hair care was her passion. Higgins said she did two job shadowings in high school, one was cosmetology and the other was social work. She initially decided to pursue social work and discovered that she didn’t like the classes. She returned to her second passion — hair care — and there she remained.
Both Williamson and Higgins enjoy their jobs, they said.
“Our clients are our friends,” Williamson said. “I love coming to work. I get excited when I come to work. It’s all because of our clients.”
Higgins agreed.
“This does not feel like work,” she said.
Karma Salon
WHERE
1107 Commercial St.
AMBER WILLIAMSON’S
hours are 12 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every other Saturday.
MANDI HIGGINS’
hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 12 to 8 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every other Saturday.
TELEPHONE
call 794-1128 or 481-1460.
MORE INFO
• Closed Monday
• Gift certificates available
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
Hurrah for all of you!
November 7, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannychick (anonymous) says...
Actually, Amber and Mandi opened Karma Salon before Tranquility closed. Congrats girls. You have a beautiful salon!!!
November 7, 2009 at 7:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )