Ashley Chambers spent three-and-a-half years studying business at Ball State University, but left to pursue a passion she's been developing since middle school. Chambers' passion is hair. Cutting, coloring, styling and giving clients a good experience so they walk out the door with a smile on their face.
On Nov. 2, Chambers opened the doors of her very own salon, Eye Candy Beauty Design, located off Bethel next to Penn Station. Chambers said while opening her own business has been "an emotional roller coaster," it's turned out well so far.
Chambers said the response has been steady despite the bad economy. She said opening her own salon during tough times was scary, but business hasn't been slow.
"Everyone wants to look good and feel good," she said.
The color palette and accessories give a clean, modern feeling. Chambers did all the decorating herself, employing the help of her fiancé to install the marble flooring. Chambers said she wanted the look of the interior to reflect the experience clients can expect.
Junior telecommunications major Kelsie Youtes said the modern look of the salon's interior is what caught her attention. She heard about Eye Candy through a friend and has been getting her hair done there since it opened. She said the salon provides a good experience by doing exactly what the clients ask for, and the employees know what's in, catering to a younger crowd.
"I won't go anywhere else in Muncie," Youtes said. "This is the best place to come in Muncie if you're a student."
Chambers' professionalism is what keeps Kaley Vance, junior nursing major, coming back to Eye Candy.
"I love Ashley because she's really down-to-earth, and she gets to know you," Vance said.
Vance said she was nervous at first to try a new salon, but now likes Eye Candy better than anywhere else she's tried. She also likes that the salon does more than just cuts and color.
Whitney Nelson said the variety of her job at Eye Candy is why she enjoys it so much. Nelson is one of four employees, including Chambers. Nelson has known Chambers since they attended Yorktown High School and cosmetology school together. She enjoys working at Eye Candy because the salon's image is cool and different from other salons in the area. Nelson said Chambers allows all the girls to be creative and show their individual personalities.
Stefani Styck, another employee, agrees.
"At a lot of the salons you have a dress code, all black. We're all allowed to have our own style," she said.
All the girls have their own specific interests, and said they enjoy the variety and flexibility that come with the job. This variety is reflected in the types of services the salon offers. At Eye Candy, clients can request the standard cut and color or anything from custom jewelry to airbrush make-up.
Chambers has also teamed up with Kishel Photography to offer packages including airbrush make-up, hair design, a photo shoot and a book with the images. The event was by appointment only during the holidays but will also be available for Valentine's Day. Stand-up tanning will soon be available to Eye Candy clients.
Chambers said her goals for the salon include filling the three other available spots with new employees and continuing to be ahead of other salons in technology and trends in the industry.
"We're doing as many Redken classes that we can, going to shows and classes, making sure we always know what's new and we're ahead of the game," she said.
Chambers' passion for the industry and her career motivates her to continually provide clients with a good experience, she said. Eye Candy is attracting more and more customers through word of mouth, the salon's biggest form of advertising, but also through the hard work of the employees.
"You're either in it for the right reasons or you're not, and that shows in your work," Chambers said. "Our clients are a walking advertisement."
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