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Saturday morning the salon was buzzing with
friends and family there to support Stephenson, congratulate her on
her success, and wish her all the best for the future.
At 10 a.m. Lincoln Daily News hosted a ribbon cut for
Stephenson, noting that when she opened one year ago on March 1,
2024, she did not have a cut, so this was an event with a dual
meaning, welcoming her into her downtown business as well as
congratulating her on a successful first year.
Joining Stephenson behind the ribbon were her husband
Sterling, her children Oliver and Evie, and for a moment the company
mascot Rory the dog. Others behind the ribbon included Stephenson’s
stylists and manicurist, Makynna Mihal, Kate Kenney, Heather Albers,
and brand new to the business Ariana Hoskins. Others behind the
ribbon included Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, City Clerk Peggy Bateman,
Ward 1 Alderwoman Robin McClallen and Lincoln Economic Advancement
and Development CEO Andrea Runge. The ribbon was held by Karen and
John Castelein of Lincoln Daily News.
The cut began with a brief opening remark by LDN’s Nila Smith,
explaining that the ribbon cut was both a welcome and a
congratulations. Lincoln Mayor Welch was then asked to speak.
Welch said it was important to recognize new
businesses in Lincoln, but retention of business is also very
important to the community. He told Stephenson, “You are proof
business can come into downtown Lincoln or anywhere in Lincoln and
be successful.”
Alderwoman McClallen was asked to speak and said that
as the business next door, she had watched Stephenson grow her
business. “I’ve watched you come from seed form to a beautiful plant
with your grit, determination, insight and foresight.” She concluded
that Verdant was a beautiful addition to downtown.
Runge also spoke saying “Grace is aptly named, for
I’ve seen her pivot and phase her business expertly with grace and
grit both.” She spoke about the business name Verdant saying
“Verdant is a blossoming of you as an entrepreneur and I have been
blessed to walk along side of you and to just admire you from afar.”
Before snipping the ribbon, Stephenson offered up a
few brief words of appreciation to those who had come out to help
her celebrate her one-year anniversary.
Then there was the posed picture and finally the
crowd helped with the countdown of three-two-one-snip when Grace
Stephenson snipped the ribbon on her business.
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Guests were encouraged to continue visiting and enjoy
the refreshment table.
Grace Stephenson has been working as a stylist for
the past 10 years. Last year she decided to take the leap and open
her own shop. She started small, but has been continually growing
her business, adding additional stylists and a manicurist.
She said that originally the business was named Verdant Salon and
Suites as she intended to offer private rooms for clients in
addition to the open space that is the primary part of the shop. To
date, she is still working toward adding suites, but says business
is going well as is.
Stephenson talked about the name Verdant, saying it spoke to green
and growing life. She said there are plants around the salon and a
green base to the décor to help promote the idea of “green and
growing.”
She added that a lot of the stylists are relatively
new to their profession, and they jokingly say that the green also
goes to the staff.
Stephenson says that she is environmentally conscious, and many of
the products she uses are produced by green companies using
sustainable products.
The salon provides hair service from cuts to styles to perms. She
said that one of her strong offerings is working with curly hair
which has its own challenges. She said that she styles those with
natural curly hair but also does perm and cut styles.
In November, LDN also did an article about Stephenson and the work
she is doing with Wigs for Kids. She is a certified service provider
and hair donation specialist. Stephenson is the only one in Central
Illinois with this training. In that roll she works with Wigs for
Kids and fits and styles wigs for children who suffer hair loss for
various reasons.
Read more on this topic in this article: Grace Stephenson gives the
gift of self-esteem as Wigs for Kids stylist
https://archives.lincolndailynews.com/
2024/Nov/27/NEWS/today_GRACE.shtml
The salon is currently open on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to
6 p.m. One the first and third Saturday of the month she is open
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Appointments are preferred, but Stephenson says if they are not too
busy they will take a walk-in now and again.
[Nila Smith]
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