The District Chronicles

Issue date: 6/22/08 Section: Business

Media Credit: Robert Eubanks/Staff Photographer

Margaret Threatt has been doing hair non-stop and professionally since 1984. However, tired of salon-hopping and renting booth space, she decided to grab control of her future and open her own shop. Her doors have been open going on seven years in January, and Threatt is proud to say she has maintained almost all her original contractors.

"The first week was kind of hectic because everyone wanted me to knock out the walls and open up the space like a traditional salon," Threatt said.

The Hair Brush is stylishly decorated with soothing color scheme of earth tone colors. The universally used waiting area not only offers access to a kitchen, microwave, refrigerator stocked with complimentary water, and a counter for guests to sit at while they eat, but it also houses welcoming ginger-snap colored furniture with a brown lining and leather, marble circular sofas.

"There's a 3 unit counter with a large center that we put products in, it kind of looks like a china closet," Threatt said.

The Hair Brush is located in a quiet and well-kept business district with freshly manicured lawns and windows that possess a never-ending sparkle. The shop features private booths which stylists have the freedom to decorate as they choose. All of the booths have their own individual color scheme; some stylists have opted to go with a gold, commercial ceramic tile on the wall and floor whereas others chose to go with a more vibrant red color scheme. Each booth also has a window and individualized security code so that the stylists can come and go as they please.

"My customers love that we are easily accessible; people want convenience," Threatt said. The customers also like the privacy and quiet of the individual booths. Although The Hair Brush is a hair salon, there is usually a nail specialist on duty providing customers with the opportunity of propping their feet up and getting their nails polished while enjoying a movie as they wait for their hair to dry.

"Customers like being able to kill two birds with one stone," Threatt said. "They like being able to have it all done in one stop."

However, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, Threatt says it is quite common for ordinary people to get caught up and become neglectful. The result, the long-time stylist says, is women end up spending twice as long trying to replicate hairstyles it would take their stylist a snap of the finger to complete. "People forget to stop and think how much they depend on their stylist until they need her," Threatt said. "Sometimes people forget to give stylists proper respect, and we're just taken for granted."

This is why Threatt believes in putting the customer first. "I always advise people to offer the best service you can offer," Threatt said. "Good service is a thing of the past; people don't offer good service anymore. But if you have good service, you have a customer for life."

Location: 7700 Old Branch Avenue D-101 Clinton, MD
Phone: 301-877-0666

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