Business Spotlight: Smiley's Hair Mind & Body

Sharmele West started working with hair when she was 16. After passing a stylist school everyday on her way to high school, West enrolled as a student and actually graduated from stylist school before graduating high school. For the past 23 years Sharmele has been working magic with hair and in 2009 opened up her shop in Lilburn. I recently sat down and talked with West about her salon.

Patch: What is the best aspect of owning Smiley's Hair Mind & Body Salon?

Sharmele: I just like the whole stylist profession. We have our own hours, our own time. If I want to take my family on vacation I let my clients know ahead of time. If my kids were sick I can take the day off. I also love the team I work with. The girls I work with are all just like me in one way or another.

Patch: What is the most challenging aspect of owning a hair salon?

Sharmele: There are no benefits to speak of. There's no sick pay. So if I do have to take the day off I just won't make money for that day. But I love being a business owner.

Patch: What makes Smiley's unique?

Sharmele: I pride myself in giving the ultimate customer service. We try to treat each one of our clients like they are the only client we have. It does come easy for me because that's how I am.

Patch: What makes the Lilburn community special?

Sharmele: I really like Lilburn. People look out for each other here. I like the way it looks and people are very friendly and they cater to the local businesses here. If they know you're here then they come out and support you. We're all here together.

Located at 5514 Lawrenceville Hwy., Smiley's Hair Mind & Body Salon is open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information visit their website at www.smileyshair.net

Sharmele is also heading the Smile 4 New Life walk, a fundraiser for HIV research, on July 14. For more information visit the Smiley website above.