Challenging life experiences helped shape Gloria Byrd's entrepreneurial goals. In turn, those goals helped her surmount the challenges in establishing Emerge Salon & Spa.

Gloria Byrd, owner of Emerge Salon & Spa in The Shoppes of Kenwood, at 7710 Montgomery Road, in the main waiting area of her salon. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        Ms. Byrd, a law enforcement professional, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2000. After surgery, she underwent a fatiguing process of radiation and chemotherapy that caused hair loss and other physical effects, such as black nails and dark circles under her eyes. She noticed a change in people's response to her.

        “When I was going through my illness, it was like I was a leper or something,” she said. “It hurt my soul. I would go to beauty salons, and they were cold to me. I asked myself, "How could women do this to other women?”'

        Ms. Byrd began going to a friend's salon Mondays, when it was closed, to have her wigs styled,” so no one would see her.

        As she struggled to manage her treatment and maintain a positive self-image, she sensed a new calling: to establish a full-service salon and spa with a welcoming, tranquil atmosphere where everyone would feel comfortable: men, women, people of all ethnic groups and people who were dealing with illness or disability.

        The vision sustained her. With the help of her husband, Herman, Ms. Byrd researched possible locations, financing, services, equipment and decor.

EMERGE

Services at Emerge range from a design haircut for $32 or a makeup application for $30 to a full day “Emerging Star” spa package for $320.    In between, there are facials ($45 to $83), waxing (from a $13 lip waxing to a deluxe $80 leg wax), massage therapy (about $60 per hour) and spa treatments (a body wrap is $55; a Moor mud and seaweed treatment with Vichy shower is $95).    Special packages offered for men, women, brides, grooms and parents-to-be.    Emerge Salon & Spa is at 7710 Montgomery Road in Kenwood. Information: 891-9SPA or www.emergesalonspa.com.

        Once the Kenwood site was chosen and the interior construction begun, she recalls willing herself to get moving after each treatment so that she could go check on the renovation process and be sure that each detail was right. The salon project became the passion that enabled Ms. Byrd to fight from one day to the next for full recovery.

        “When the seed began to germinate about the salon, she told me, "I want it to be a warm place; I want the staff to be professional,”' related Ms. Byrd's sister, Tracey Watkins.

        “She said it was going to happen, and it did. Herman was an excellent supportive partner. He never said, "It's not going to happen' or "How much is it going to cost?”'

        Emerge Salon & Spa opened last spring, although its owner has added several features since then. She called on her experiences as corporate executive, working mother and cancer survivor to ensure that the salon catered to people with a variety of needs. For those with demanding work hours or those who juggle work and family demands, Emerge maintains a flexible schedule and can arrange early morning or early evening appointments. There is a private consultation room, called “Passages,” where customers who wear wigs can meet with their stylists without feeling embarrassed.

        Each spa room has a name that is meaningful to Ms. Byrd. The most significant, perhaps, are Vision, Focus and Clarity.

        “When I was going through my deal with breast cancer, I needed to have vision, focus and clarity,” she said.

        “Those qualities were so important to me on my journey.”

        Ms. Byrd realized that building a customer base that will sustain the business would take time, but she was determined to begin with a full range of services.

        She also has a large staff, each person carefully chosen to enhance the salon experience for customers.

        “You walk in that place, and they make you feel so welcome,” customer Carolyn Smith said. “Gloria hand-picked each one of those women, not for just their abilities but because they love doing what they are doing. They made such an impression on me that I remember all of their names.”

        Said Ms. Watkins: “The staff has been trained to be sensitive to many needs. And the staff is diverse. Gloria wanted to serve the total community, and her staff is reflective of that.”

        DeAsa Brown, president of the African-American Chamber of Commerce, said Ms. Byrd has hired talented stylists.

        “Gloria seems to be a very focused entrepreneur,” she said. “She made a decision to start the business, did her research, studied her competition and stayed very focused on what she wanted her salon to represent.”

        Ms. Byrd said she deliberately recruited men and women, salon professionals of different races and different body types. In the hair salon, stylists have cross-trained so each understands hair care needs of all races and can work with any customer.

        Makeup professionals, likewise, have worked with customers of all races.

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