It’s Allabout U

Kathy Singleton and Stephanie Decker signed on for life when they decided to open All About U salon.  Quitting, failing, or retiring isn’t an option for them.

Brad Bowman/Local

Kathy Singleton, left, and Stephanie Decker take a moment between customers to organize their new salon.

Brad Bowman/Local

Decker cleans the children’s area.

Brad Bowman/Local

Singleton and Decker gutted and renovated the building at 1378 Eminence Road and installed six stations.

The two met at Hair Designs in New Castle, where they worked together for nine years. They talked about exactly how they would want their own place to be, but Decker didn’t take Singleton seriously when she suggested they open their own salon.

After buying and gutting the former Henry County Localbuilding at 1378 Eminence Road in November, they worked long nights to get ready for the opening. The salon turned out to be exactly what they wanted.

One unique feature of All About U salon is the playroom for children equipped with toys, comfortable furniture and a television to watch movies on. They offer snacks and drinks for patrons.

The casual atmosphere hums with humored conversation and music. It has the style of a sophisticated salon without a pretentious setting.  The design is spacious and elegant.

“We wanted something comfortable, warm and cozy,” Decker said. “Whether it is a guy or girl we want to make everyone comfortable.”

The salon has had a diverse group of men, women and children for clientele. 

“We had a truck driver that drove by here on his route from Milton to Harrisburg, “Singleton said. “He had been watching us remodel and stopped here to get a haircut and his beard trimmed.  Where else could you park a semi?”

When they had the salon’s phone connected, it didn’t stop ringing. Decker arranged appointments for three hours. On the first day of business, the unlikely partners serviced 28 patrons.

“Most people wouldn’t put us together as partners,” Singleton said. “Stephanie is better with the books and she is more organized.” Singleton never thought of starting a business at 54. She sustained an injury on a farm she once owned in Campbellsburg and needed to make a career change from home health care. She prayed before going to sleep and credits God for giving her direction.

“The good part of being a stylist is making someone look better,” Singleton said. “It changes their outlook on how they feel and it raises their self-esteem.”

Decker, 37, said cosmetology just seemed like a natural choice for her.

“I am the slave driver,” Decker said. “I am always saying we can do another hour of work. I bargain shop to get good products in here for customers and their experience is therapeutic.”

The salon offers services for men, women and children. Along with stylist Ashley Quickert and Kim Melton, the stylists come from different schools of cosmetology and offer different techniques.

“We offer cuts, waxing, facials and eventually we will do manicures,” Decker said. “We want people to feel good about coming in here and getting a bigger salon experience that they wouldn’t get in a small town.”

The salon will host a cut-a-thon for Relay for Life on Sunday, June 3 from 1-5p.m. The salon is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. with evening hours available and Saturday 9a.m. to 3 p.m.

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