Owner of Hair & Nail Hut Opened Business at 20 Years Old

"I was the girl with straight hair because nobody did my hair," said Amy Moore, owner of the Hair & Nail Hut in Munroe Falls. She began her career in high school at . Before dances, girls lined up in Moore's living room to get their hair done.

After high school graduation in 2002, Moore attended Riggs Lemar Beauty College and graduated in 2003. While at Riggs Lemar, one of the previous owners of the salon hired Moore.

At that time, the salon was located across the street from the current location of 14 S. Main St. Then the owner decided to move to Florida and asked Moore if she wanted to take over. Moore, at that time 20-years old, said yes, and the Hair & Nail Hut became hers on Feb. 1, 2004. About three months later, Moore moved the salon's location to increase visibility and build clientele.

"It was an extreme learning curve," Moore said. "Just the little things of opening a business." The previous owner taught Moore how to keep the books and do taxes. She worked 11-hour days to complete the transition between salons.

"I would eat sitting up on the ladder," Moore said.

The change of location has worked out in the Hair & Nail Hut's favor and Moore said it helped build the clientele. "We're a lot more noticeable," Moore said.

She added, "It a lot of work, and I'm responsible for everything. But I love what I do, I'm my own boss. I love my clients, there's different people to talk to every day. It's not your typical 9-5. It's not like work."

Moore, now 27, has watched some of her clients grow up. "I've got a whole group of senior Stow girls who started coming to me in eighth grade." She styled another young client's hair for dances all the way up to the client's wedding.

"We have birthday parties for the little girls in here," Moore said. "It's really fun. I really enjoy what I do."