“BRASS” stands for Beauty Revival and Styling Salon, said Jessie Darby, shown here, the salon’s owner.
When Stacey Adkins announced she was moving Glam Hair to Warren, Jessie Darby, who rented a chair at the salon, was “devastated,” Darby said.
“After being here for those few months, I was like, ‘This a great location. It’s in the heart of Brookfield, lots of parking, it’s easy to tell all of our clients from Hermitage (and) across the state line where to come,’” Darby said.
But, the announcement also presented an opportunity that turned into BRASS Beauty Revival and Styling Salon, located in the same building Glam vacated at 7126 Warren Sharon Road, Brookfield.
Upon the advice of her father and the agreement of fellow stylist Leah Brant to stay with her, Darby opened her own salon, something she had never dreamed of doing before.
Darby, of Brookfield, has had the keys to the building since Nov. 19, but has kept things relatively low key as she remodeled and lined up stylists and technicians and kept serving clients all the while. She is ready to promote the salon and will have a ribbon cutting May 6. People are invited to stop in and look around.
“You don’t have to make an appointment,” Darby said. “You don’t have to purchase anything. We just want to let people know we’re here.”
Jessie Darby
BRASS offers full-service hair care – cuts, colorings, perms for women, men and children – manicures, facials and skin care.
Darby owns the overall business, but the stylists and technicians rent space, set their own appointments and keep their own finances.
“I try and create a fun experience here,” Darby said. “I want the place to be clean and classy. We are a very relaxed environment. We try and make everyone feel special and feel good while also doing their hair and giving them what they ask for.”
Darby started cutting hair as a child – on her dolls. Later, she cut her brother’s hair, and then her friends’.
“As homecomings and proms started, I was doing my own hair for those,” said Darby, whose mom or grandma would cut her hair when she was younger. “Girls were coming over for me to do their hair. I never charged anyone. It was just something I enjoyed doing. I never realized it could be a career, because I had never been to a salon.”
When a friend suggested she seek training, she attended the former Penn State Cosmetology School in Sharon, and was certified in 2003.
“I really like making people feel good about themselves, or just being there for the people,” Darby said. “Sometimes, we see you on your best days, like your wedding day. Sometimes I’m doing hair for a funeral.”
“You create these relationships with people, and you’re there through all of it.”
The salon does not have centralized booking – most of the stylists have online booking while Darby still works on paper – but you can call or text Darby at 724-315-4247 for information or referrals for appointments. She said Facebook messages also are promptly returned.
Walk-ins are welcome, but you might have to wait a bit for a chair to come open.
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