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Even for hair stylists location is important
Andrea Klassen Medicine Hat News
NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETT Nicole Andreas (standing) is the owner of Hair Envy downtown on Second Street S.E.
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NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETT Servus Credit Union branch managers (from left to right) Diane Bonneville, Crescent Heights, Wayne Brewer, regional manager, Laurie Kallenberger, downtown, Lori Johnson, Redcliff, Jenine Angell, CFB Suffield, and Judi Solberg, Bow Island.
When Nicole Andreas opened her downtown salon in 2006, she knew there would be enough demand to keep her and her fellow stylist busy. But since then, the business has grown beyond her expectations.
It's a success Andreas — who's already been nominated for a New Business of the Year in 2008, and won last year's Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Award — largely attributes to an excellent location.
“I really like downtown,” she says. “I'm from a small town, and this really feels like a small community... we've picked up so many people who work downtown, and I really like that. Everyone just helps each other out.”
Hair Envy now features three stylists, specializing in cuts, colouring, perms and styling. There’s also a recently hired nail technician who meets the downtown demand for manicures and pedicures. The salon offers bridal services as well, including makeup application.
Though the four-person staff is larger than Andreas originally intended, she says she's happy with the way her business has developed.
Servus maintains connections to community
Andrea Klassen Medicine Hat News
It’s been a little over a year since the amalgamation of Servus Credit Union Ltd., Common Wealth Credit Union and Community Savings that created the single, provincial-wide union known as Servus.
Since becoming members of Servus Credit Union November 2008, Medicine Hat’s two credit union branches have seen their letterhead change and their service network expand. But one thing that has stayed consistent is their dedication to community involvement.
In 2009, the two Servus Credit Unions donated over $500,000 dollars to worthy local causes, from the United Way and the Medicine Hat College to the Gas City Barbershop Chorus and the Esplanade.
The credit union also sponsors Community Futures’ annual Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp, and initiatives and charities in Bow Island and other nearby communities.
In addition to monetary donations, credit union staff spent approximately 4,000 hours volunteering in the community in 2009.
"It's part of who we are,” explains Shelley Patience, Southview branch manager. “We're a credit union, we're here to service the community we
live in. We give value back so our staff feel involved in the communities that we live in, and part of the co-operative movement."
Another popular community initiative was the “Feel Good Ripple.” Starting in October 2009, Servus branches around Alberta offered $10 bills to anyone who would use the money to do a random act of kindness, then encourage the recipient to do the same.
The credit union gave away $200,000 to kick off the program.
“I think it went really well in Medicine Hat,” says Patience, of the ripple. “A number of members and non-members took advantage of the $10 to make people feel good.”
School groups around the city have used the money to start fundraising drives for local charities, and Patience says other locals have been
doing the same.
“A lady took the $10 and purchased supplies to make carrot cakes, sold the carrot cakes and eventually ended up turning that $10 into a $1 250 donation to the Medicine Hat News Santa Claus fund," she says.
Medicine Hat’s credit unions are now part of a 100-branch network, in more than 60 communities across Alberta.
Servus is the first province-wide credit union in Alberta.
REPORT ON SOUTHEAST ALBERTA 2010 ■ Celebrating our Community — 49
We haven't really grown too fast and I think that's important,” she says, “to get established first, and then move along from there.”
December also saw the launch of the salon's website, and Andreas says she's hoping to give her clients more online access in 2010.
“I'd like people in the future to be able to leave a Facebook message saying 'I'd like to make an appointment' rather than having to phone in,” she explains. “Same with booking appointments online through e-mail.”
She's also planning a monthly BYOB (Bring Your Own Blow-Dryer) class, where clients can come in for a shampoo, then get specialized advice and lessons from Hair Envy's stylists.
“You'll do everything, so when you go home, you'll
know specifically what to do on your own hair,” she says. “You'll have a glass of wine, and it's just our full attention on you and whatever you want to learn how to do, whether it's an up do or regular styling.”
“It's really exciting,” she adds, “I don't think any other salons in town provide that service.”
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