Meet the Owner: Barb DeMers of the Pearl Salon

Barb DeMers knew she wanted to be a hairdresser at a young age. Without hesitation, she took cosmetology classes in high school and got her start “behind the chair” in the 1980s.

“I’ve always loved doing this,” she said. “When I’m doing hair and talking with customers it doesn’t seem like a job to me.”

After growing up in Shakopee, DeMers spent years working at various salons in the city and toyed with the idea of opening her own shop, but never took it too seriously until a coworker passed away.

Asia King was a friend and receptionist at Salon Mirage, where both she and DeMers worked. She was always asking when DeMers was going to open her own place.

King was allegedly killed by her boyfriend’s brother, who went on a rampage in May 2010. According to media reports, Joshua Walker stole a car, fatally stabbed King and then led police on a chase. In the end, Walker was shot and killed by police.

“After Asia died I felt like I owed it to her to at least look into opening my own shop,” DeMers said. “I did some homework and felt like things really fell into place.”

As a result of encouragement and hard work, DeMers opened The Pearl Salon in March.

“It was the right time for me to step out and spread my wings,” she said sitting in her fresh, four-chaired salon. Three other stylists and three nail technicians now work out of The Pearl, located at 287 Marschall Road.

“Family and friends have been really supportive,” DeMers said with her 22-year-old daughter working behind her. Haley DeMers helps her mom part-time as a receptionist.

“I’m really proud of my mom,” she said. “Our family is happy to help her any way we can.”

And Barb DeMers says she’s never been happier.

“This is who I am,” she said. While DeMers admits she is still learning how to run a business, so far, things are going well enough that she's considering an expansion in the near future.

“I’m grateful to have loyal customers and a great staff, that’s the biggest part of running a successful business,” she said.