By Michelle Caceres
For Boulevard Salon Owner Kathy Hegenauer, who will be celebrating the salon’s seventh anniversary this month, the journey to her life’s calling was not a straight path but a winding road.
Hegenauer had dreams of becoming an attorney or interior designer, but fate interfered with her best laid plans and forever changed her destiny when at 19 her mother introduced her to a pregnant friend, a nail technician in a South Tampa salon. She was searching for a trustworthy replacement while she was on maternity leave and Hegenauer fit the bill.
When she returned from maternity leave, Hegenauer moved to Brandon and continued as a nail technician until, at age 27, she opened her first salon.
“I thought the worst thing that could happen is I could fail,” said Hegenauer.
Failure was not in her vocabulary.
Within three years The Salon for Hair and Nails, renamed The Salon and Spa, expanded to more than 3,500 sq. ft. and became the first true day spa in Hillsborough County. She owned the spa for 11 years then took time off to raise her children.
When the time was right, Boulevard Salon, located at 210 E. Brandon Blvd., was born.
“Even when I was raising my children that desire to be in the people business was always there,” she said. “It’s in my blood.”
The salon is celebrating its seventh anniversary this year. She credits Boulevard Salon’s success to her well-trained staff of stylists, nail technicians, massage therapists and aestheticians, as well as her loyal clients.
Tampa resident Kimberly Rivard is a loyal client of more than 20 years. Hegenauer and her staff take care of her needs from head to toe.
“When you know what services are provided and are always satisfied with the results, you become loyal,” she said. “They’re almost like family.”
This family knows its business. Hegenauer said it’s important to be on the cutting edge of current trends. A popular addition to her offered services is Halocouture, a high quality brand of Remy (human) hair extensions that add volume and length without damaging her client’s own hair.
In addition to hair artistry for men and women, Boulevard Salon features nail services, waxing, massage therapy and a variety of skin care treatments to help clients look and feel their best.
Henegauer employs three stylists but is accepting applications from experienced commissioned stylists. Visit www.boulevardsalon.biz or call 571-5800.
