LAST LOOK
Story and photo by patty miller | The Business Times
Merle Norman under new ownership
Gary and Marla Haddock are the new owners of the Merle Norman studio at Bryant Square in Edmond. Gary’s mom, Anita Haddock, owned the Merle Norman studio for 35 years moving it to the present location 25 years ago.
W
ith a motto of “Try before you buy,” Merle Norman celebrated its 80th anniversary nationally in 2011. Since its inception 82 years ago, Merle Norman has grown into a leading beauty brand with not only beauty products, but also studios that are adding spa rooms where facials are given and facial and body sculpting takes place. Locally, Gary and Marla Haddock recently took over the Merle Norman studio in Bryant Square after Gary’s mother, Anita Haddock, decided to retire. She had owned a Merle Norman studio for 35 years, most recently the one in its present location for 25 years. Marla has worn many hats before taking over the keys to the Edmond Merle Norman studio. “Everything I have done from accounting to interior design has helped prepare me for ownership of my own business,” Marla said. Both she and her husband Gary attended a two-week training session in California.
“I wanted to be able to have a hand in running the business,” Gary said. Retired from a construction/remodeling business, he helped with a facelift to the present location. He is also a police lieutenant with the Guthrie Police Department. “When we went to California for training, the Merle Norman owners were encouraged to provide a room for facials and waxing,” Gary said. When they returned he became responsible for the addition of a spa room where a licensed aesthetician gives spa facials, microcurrent sculpting and waxing. “We have a full-time licensed aesthetician, Ashley Brackett, who is responsible for the spa room,” Marla said. “I went to the surrounding beauty schools and chose Ashley because she is so meticulous and fits the job perfectly. She is also our store manager.” Marla said they keep all the information used in giving a facial in the computer so the next time a customer comes in they will know exactly what colors were used and what products they have purchased. “We have 5-minute facials where we cleanse, steam and moisturize our client’s face with a rich facial gel,” Marla said. “Then we give our client a full makeover. All of this is complimentary with the customers only paying for any beauty products they wish to purchase. The appointment itself takes about an hour, but our clients must have an appointment ahead of time. We then supply a list of the correct formulas for each individual’s face type.” Marla said moms like to bring their daughters in when they first start thinking about cleansing products and using make-up. The company is one of the few that continues to manufacture almost all of its products in the USA and all of the products are dermatologist and opthamologist tested, Marla said. Merle Norman has blossomed into a leading beauty brand with products for women of every age. “At one time the target group was 40-year-olds and up and now the target group starts at 9-year-olds. We also have customers
January 2014 | The Business Times
29