Our Local Business Leaders Will Be Bringing People (Back) Together!

by Bob Blaisse, Publisher of Marple Friends & Neighbors

With nearly all businesses closed, except those declared to be “essential,” I could argue every business is essential when they are a Sponsor of Marple Friends & Neighbors. In speaking with our Sponsors during these times of quarantine, I can assure you these times are especially difficult for most of our hometown business leaders. But they all know life will return to normal, and our magazine Sponsors hope their loyal customers will return with intention to “Buy Local” with gratitude for their keeping our magazine coming in the mail during the months we were homebound.

I asked a Sponsor and Expert Contributor, Mary Rosato, owner of Salon Bella, to share some of her thoughts about these times. Mary has allowed me to share her thoughts with our readers.

Mary Rosato, Owner of Salon Bella and Marple Friends & Neigbhors magazine Expert Contributor

How have these past months been for you as an owner of a business forced to be closed?

Mary: This quarantine has been a big challenge for me. I miss my day-to-day routine and my wonderful staff and salon! The unknown is what has been the hardest, but luckily, I have my wonderful daughters, husband, and dog by my side. I do not know how I would make it through all of this without them and their help! Owning a small business during this time has presented me with many challenges, but I genuinely believe Salon Bella will come out of this stronger than before. It also helps knowing all the support and resources out there for small businesses such as mine. And the support from my staff and the salon clients has proven even greater. I feel incredibly lucky!

Is the hardest part not knowing when you can reopen?

Mary: Not knowing exactly when we will be reopening is hard, but there are other things I find hard during this time as well. One of the hardest parts for me personally is not seeing all my wonderful employees and clients every day. I am a people person and love social interaction, so not being able to do what I love and not being able to be around some of the people I love is the hardest. I cannot wait to be back!

During this time, how are you operating your business?

Mary: We are offering virtual gift cards, product pickups, and we are keeping our clients up to date through emails, our website and our Instagram and Facebook. I have also been holding virtual weekly meetings with my wonderful staff to keep up to date with new trends, salon updates, as well as providing information regarding some of the virtual classes many of the top brands in the hair industry are providing. These classes have been a huge success and we are so thankful to be able to continue practicing and perfecting our skills on mannequins with some of the top instructors in the industry virtually.

Will things be changed when your business can reopen?

Mary: There will be many changes when we open back up. Our main priority is not only making every one of our clients feel beautiful, but also the health and safety of our staff and clients. When we open our doors, we will have restrictions and guidelines to follow provided by the CDC and State Board of Cosmetology. To name a few: masks will be mandatory, hands must be washed upon entry, clients will have to wait in their car rather than in the salon waiting area. We will also have split shifts, half our employees working in the morning and early afternoon and half working late afternoon and evening. We will also be open 6 days a week for longer days to accommodate anyone and everyone who wants to come in. We will do everything that is required and even more to create a safe and healthy environment!

What would you like to share with our Marple Friends & Neighbors?

Mary: Shopping locally and supporting small businesses is more important than ever now and when business opens back up! The generosity and support from everyone in Marple and the surrounding areas does not go unnoticed. I am so grateful for this community! And when this is all said and done Salon Bella will be ready to make every one of you feel beautiful again!

Mary Rosato, owner of Salon Bella (located behind the Lawrence Park Shopping Center) is a Sponsor of Marple Friends & Neighbors, Expert Contributor of hair care feature articles for our magazine, and a respected business leader in our community. I can’t wait until Mary starts cutting hair again. My hair is beginning to look like it did in my high school yearbook. To reach Mary Rosato, visit www.SalonBellaBroomall.com, or email Mary at SalonBella1@Verizon.net.