Rare Magazine Interview

What do you do on a daily  basis to focus on your “mind and body?”

My time to focus is in the morning. I coordinate my time at the gym doing caidio with my "mind time." My iPod is filled with podcasts with everything from political audio books, to NPR, to lyric-free music...so I can think uninterrupted for 45 minutes.

Rules to live by in live to be happy, healthy & well balanced:

Surround yourself with people who challenge you, celebrate you, support you and uplift you. Find happiness in simple things. Pamper yourself.

What efforts are Austinites making to focus more on their “mind and body?”

I'm seeing more people making conscious choices to stay healthy. Eating less, walking more and spending their time doing more holistic activities. I hear the word "yoga" much more than the word "drunk" which is nice. I recently went to The Crossings and thought how lucky we are to have a place like that in Austin and how it wouldn't have survived 15 years ago.

Use the words “mind and body” in a sentence to describe how your business fits in this category.

As a hairstylist and salon owner, I have the opportunity to enhance my client's mind and body during my day. To some, I'm the listening ear about problems at home. To others, I provide a shampoo tech who massages away stress and tension. I hope I never miss a chance to provide the positive change that each person who walks into BOB needs.

As the owner of a local salon, what trends are you seeing in this industry that focus more on relaxation and health?

Industry-wide, I see hairstyles gravitating toward a more natural look and depending less on flat irons, curling irons, etc. At BOD, we're conscious of the importance of scalp massage, calmer music and respecting our client's time. I hear from other sabn owners that they're focused on similar ambient concerns. Salons are more about the whole package now, not just a place to get a haircut. The professionals working at BOB are all health-conscious too. We have runners, cyclists, yoga practitioners and weight lifters. Clients can see we're taking looking great to the level of feeling great.

Explain the total “mind and body” experience that a customer expects to receive when they enter your salon.

I'm blessed to have an amazingly personal staff, an exceptionally inviting building and a wonderful location in which to operate the kind of salon I always wanted to work in. We have abundant natural light, high ceilings and a fireplace to curl up next to in cooler months. Even if you come in stressed, you can't help but leave in a better mood. Our staff is upbeat, funny, sincere and professional. I've had many people express that they love coming into BOB and feel like they're walking into our home. That's the impression I want people to leave with...rejuvenated mind and body...plus good hair.