Small Business Q&A: Hair and Nail

Acworth Patch contributor April Zlotnik talked with Karen Payne, the owner of .

Acworth Patch: What's the hardest thing about being a small-business owner in Acworth?

Karen Payne: For me and my business, nothing is hard about being a small business owner in Acworth. I think we are in a great location. Word of mouth has been our best advertisement. And networking with some of the other small businesses helps so there is not really anything hard about being small. I have been in business behind a styling chair for 43 years. I am on my fifth generation of customers. I have great-grandparents and grandparents and parents and children and even some great-great grandparents. I have been in the Kennesaw/Acworth area all these years.

For example, I have a young man that comes to me that is 34 years old. I gave him his first haircut. He brought me his son who is now five and, five years ago, I gave him his first haircut. I still have people coming to me that I absolutely watched grow up. Staying local has helped me and the business, so there is nothing really hard about being a small business in downtown Acworth. As a matter of fact, it’s been really easy.

Acworth Patch: What's the best thing about your job?

Payne: All of my friends; I can’t call them my customers. It’s an adventure every day. You see different people; you set your own hours. The people that come in, that’s the easy part.

Acworth Patch: What is the best thing about Acworth?

Payne: The best thing about Acworth is the small town atmosphere, friendly people and accommodating businesses. I love it. I love Acworth. I think it’s a beautiful little southern town.

Acworth Patch: How long have you lived in Acworth?

Payne: I have lived in the North Cobb area since 1964. I have watched the whole area here grow. Acworth has stayed on a small town level.

Acworth Patch: Why did you choose to open up your business in Acworth?

Payne: We have a great city government. We have great police and fire protection. It is a good location and there is a nice atmosphere around Main Street. It’s still people oriented and friendly.

Acworth Patch: Why did you pick this particular kind of business?

Payne: It was something as a little girl that I always wanted to do, that always had my interest—hair and fashion. So when I got old enough to do it, that’s what I decided to do. I just felt like that was the direction I needed to gear my profession toward, what I had dreamed about doing as a little girl.

Acworth Patch: What are some of the services you offer that people don't know about?

Payne: We do hair, nails and eyebrow waxes. We offer hair care for all ages. We are very family oriented. We give babies’ first haircuts and we give grandmothers that are 100 years old their hairstyles. So, we go from the real extreme young ones to the ones that are wise and have lots of wisdom.

Acworth Patch: Is there anything else you would like to share about your business?

Payne: We welcome everyone. We are really friendly. It’s a fun place to come get your hair done. It’s like a local information center, if you need to know something, call us. Someone there will know.