Small Business Spotlight

Megan Reardon

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Posted by: MReardon
[email protected]
Date: May 21 2023 7:28 PM

The month of May is Small Business Month, and RSN is spotlighting those who deserve recognition during this special time. 

One small local business that deserves recognition is Salon Forty located at 40 East Church Street on the square in Downtown Headland.

Owner, Emily Espy Aplin, opened this business in August of 2022 and has received much support since.

Salon Forty offers a wide variety of salon services such as women’s and men’s haircuts, hair coloring, keratin treatments, and waxing; they are by appointment only.

Aplin said she likes to think her salon brings joy to her customers and the ability to make them feel extra beautiful after receiving services.

Aplin had a scare in March of 2022 with melanoma skin cancer.

She said, “I had been doing hair for 18 years at that point, but after a series of traumatic events and life changes, I sort of let my anxiety take over and just couldn’t put myself out there like it takes to be successful in this business. During that time, I bargained with God. I was scared to fail. I promised God if I could have just another chance to be healthy, I would never waste another day. Ever. I would take the next opportunity that fell into my lap, and I would put my everything into it.”

Aplin said thankfully and by God’s grace, her melanoma had not progressed, and with a simple procedure, she was able to have it all removed.

She said that particular summer went by without much thought of the promise she made with God (or bargain, rather, with the Man Upstairs). In mid-July, an opportunity to open a hair salon on the square in Headland was presented to her, and she literally said, “Well, God, I didn’t really mean I wanted to be an owner but maybe just work at a salon again.”

She cast aside all her intrusive and negative thoughts and decided to go for it, and she is very thankful she did just that and had faith in God.

She said her advice for anyone looking to open a small business would be to just go for it and to not let any anxiety hold you back. She also said to be willing to work when no one else will, to work hard, and not to be scared to do things you may be afraid to do.

Aplin also believes that it is important to give back to her community. She has donated to several events and sporting teams. Her grandfather, Mr. William (Bill) Parker of Headland, who was a successful businessman, instilled in her to always be civic-minded and to remember to help people.

“Sometimes people just need a little help, and sometimes that’s all the difference it makes in their lives,” Aplin said.

One important trait of Aplin is that she listens to the needs of her clients. She does whatever it takes to make them happy and to make sure they leave feeling confident and better than when they first arrived.

Aplin said, “I genuinely love my work! I will strive to make your day fabulous every time we meet.”

She makes sure her clients feel at home by offering drinks and a lending ear. She thinks of her clients as family, not just customers.

When sitting in the cute and clean salon, one can see it received a 100, a perfect score, on the Alabama State Board Inspection.

She named her business Salon Forty because of the address in which it is located in Downtown Headland on East Church Street.

Aplin has one other employee, Savannah Patat, who has been a hair stylist for five years.

If you are thinking about a new “do” for your hair, consider this your sign to go see Emily Aplin at Salon Forty in Headland. You will leave feeling refreshed and better than before and are sure to be satisfied.

To make an appointment, call Emily at 334-405-1139.

Remember to always support local small businesses!

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