Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Rosner.
Melissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since I was a little kid, I always wanted to help people, especially to make them happy. I really wanted to be a nurse, so I volunteered at a local hospital when I was 14. I discovered I couldn’t handle wounds or the sight of blood. It was then encouraged by a high school counselor to consider being a hairstylist. My family ended up moving further west of Chicago and I began Cosmetology school my junior year at my new high school. I loved it! I worked in a couple of salons in St Charles until I got married. I went to work in a medical skincare office doing face and body treatments but I missed doing hair. In my early twenties, I had 2 daughters, Alexandra and Abigail. They are the bright spots in my life. I found my career in hair styling allowed me flexibility to be with my girls. I started a mobile hairstyling and beauty business and started working with the VNA, visiting nurses assoc, doing hair and beauty services for hospice patients and those needing at home treatments in Kane and Dupage counties. I did that for a couple years but it was a lot of travel and some family tragedies brought me back to working in a salon.
In 2000, I lost my dad in a car accident, and it was then I decided to go work on my own in a salon suite. A few years later, I opened a salon in Geneva. I loved it Our clients were like family. We tried to make everyone feel welcome. I still hear from clients how much they loved it there. It was during those years that I got involved in giving back to the community and charitable organizations. In 2010, after a 2 year battle, I lost my cousin, Kelly Mulqueeny, to ovarian cancer. It was then, that I hit rock bottom. I had so many losses since my dads death, but losing her was too much. My marriage fell apart, I shut down the business and hid from life for a few years until my conscience kept nagging me that this wasn’t helping anyone, including myself. My daughters, my friends and my dear clients were my motivation to get myself together.
In 2015, I started a new mobile hair business in Geneva. It was this year that my life really started taking a new direction. It was time to give back. I reached out to a non profit, OCSA, Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness, in St Charles. so that I could do something in honor of my cousin and prevent another woman from dying from this dreaded disease. They are making strides getting the word out to men and women about what the symptoms are of ovarian cancer. Through their One Health approach, working with veterinarians to get the word out, through their scholarships for vet techs at Penn Vet, the great work being done at Penn Vet led by Dr. Cindy Otto, one day soon, there will be a means to early diagnose this disease.
2015 was when I met Scott Beck. I have been blessed to have this man in my life who supports and encourages all my endeavors. He is also on OCSAs advisory board with me. I also am a member of 100+ Women Who Care FoxValley, a non-profit that gives money to other nonprofits in Kane County. I love doing hair and makeup… I meet incredible people. I share their happiest moments and grieve with them during their saddest. I have seen kids grow into adults and start their own families. I have been able to help people feel better about themselves and hopefully bring some joy and love into this world. I don’t regret my career choice. It has given me a freedom and sense of fulfillment that other careers couldn’t give me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Owning my own salon had financial challenges but it was worth it. We had a great staff that I still feel a closeness to. Doing hair means a lot of standing, and after 30 years my legs and knees are in pain from time to time. Fortunately, I didn’t have many difficult clients and the few I did, got fired. Overall, I was pretty blessed compared to some. But it was a lot of work and long hours.
Please tell us about Hair by Melissa Renee.
My business is called Hair by Melissa Renee. I’m a freelance mobile hairstylist and makeup artist. I also work out of a suite in Geneva. I do makeup, hair cutting, hair coloring, hair styling, waxing, hair extensions, special occasion hair and makeup. I’m most known for my hair coloring and cutting and special occasion services. What sets me apart from others is my experience, pride in my work, my customer service/loyalty program, and my flexible schedule.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have taken more business classes. I also would have gotten an international license.
Contact Info:
- Address: Hair By Melissa Renee
419 Hamilton Street
Geneva, IL - Phone: 630-677-7484
- Email: melissarrosner@gmail.com
- Instagram: melissarosner
- Facebook: Melissa Renee
- Twitter: @lipp_service
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