Enchanting Salon Boutique

Having this portfolio case after decades is a testament to my creativity that I can look back on with pride and proudly display in my salon.

Some memories are too meaningful to fit on a single page.

The next post is something a little different.

Rather than reading about this part of my journey, you'll be opening it with me. Together, we'll step back into 1990 and turn the pages of a portfolio that has remained with me for decades.

I hope you'll join me for the next part of The Woman Behind the Mirror.

The Woman Behind the Mirror Chapter 3 ● Page 9

After making the decision to leave Sullo's, an opportunity came my way. I was given the opportunity to work at the Thunderbird Flea Market in Sunrise, Florida, located near 441. It was, and still is, known as one of the largest flea markets in the United States.

The salon was a small two-chair operation, and the owner of the salon space was interested in selling professional salon products. To do that legally, he needed a licensed hairdresser. Even though I was just a young hairdresser, he believed in me and entrusted me with running much of the day-to-day operation of the salon as I solely worked behind the chair.

The flea market was open virtually every day, and I worked seven days a week. It was unlike any salon environment I had ever experienced.

Inside the same building was a real circus. Several times a day, performances would take place with horses, elephants, and performers from around the world. The noise carried throughout the building. It was loud, busy, and impossible to ignore. Many of the performers became clients, along with many of the booth owners and vendors who operated businesses throughout the flea market.

What made the experience unique was the variety of people I met. Every day brought new faces, different cultures, and different hair types into my chair. The exposure gave me valuable experience working with people from many different backgrounds.

At that stage of my life, I was young and enjoying life outside of work as much as I enjoyed working behind the chair. Looking back, it was a busy and exciting period of my career.

Eventually, I decided to leave the flea market because I missed working alongside other hairdressers and salon professionals. I wanted to continue expanding my experience behind the chair and growing as a hairstylist.

As The Woman Behind the Mirror continues to unfold, I'd like to introduce another part of my journey, Lessons Behind the Chair. These are lessons I've learned through years behind the chair, experiences that shaped me both personally and professionally. Throughout this memoir, I'll share them as they naturally become part of my story.

As young stylists, there is often a disconnect between our personal emotions and our professional responsibilities. We haven't yet learned how to separate the two, so it's easy to take situations personally and allow those feelings to affect our confidence and how we operate behind the chair.

Because we care so deeply about our work and are so passionate about what we do, we want every guest to leave happy, every service to turn out as we envisioned, and every experience to be successful. When that doesn't happen, it's easy to take it personally. We also learn that not every client-stylist relationship will be the right fit, and that doesn't diminish who we are as professionals.

As we become more comfortable with the people who sit in our chair, it's easy to begin making exceptions. We sometimes allow our personal feelings to influence our professional decisions because we want to help, be accommodating, or believe we're strengthening the client-stylist relationship. Learning when to separate our personal feelings from our professional decisions takes time and experience. As we grow professionally, we also learn to respect the years of education, experience, investment, and commitment we've dedicated to our profession, while helping others understand and respect that as well.

Part of becoming a professional is learning not to let our personal feelings interfere with our professionalism. That kind of professional maturity doesn't happen overnight. It comes through time, experience, and the lessons we learn behind the chair. It's a practice that continues throughout our careers.

Gail Romain please contact Sabina Enchanting Salon Boutique 912-438-6938. Thank you!!!

To any of my guest that knew Kathryn, I share this beautiful post.

Fox & Weeks is privileged to serve the family and loved ones of Kathryn G. Miller (Kathy), an accomplished artist, devoted Mother and true friend who died peacefully July 3rd 2026 in her beloved Savannah home. Born in Philadelphia, PA on June 21, 1935, Kathy had turned 91 just weeks before her death. Kathy spent her childhood in Scotland Neck, NC and then completed her BS in Psychology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Kathy then pursued her teaching certificate and for many years taught English and Psychology at Savannah’s Windsor Forest High School.

Kathy’s passion for painting began during her years living on Midway Island in the north Pacific and continued while she lived in Hawaii before moving to Savannah. Kathy loved taking care of her home and lovely tranquil garden. Her light filled studio, designed by her Architect son Tim Garriss , provided a creative sanctuary for her to create over 200 etching plates (all hand painted) and a diverse selection of watercolors, oils and acrylics. Kathy was known for her low country landscapes and varied sea life themes. Please click https://foxandweeks.com/obituaries/o/11668/Kathryn-G.-Miller to offer condolences, light a remembrance candle and share memories of Kathryn through the Fox & Weeks website.

The Woman Behind the Mirror
Chapter 2 • Page 8

In the early 1990s, I walked through the doors of SULLO in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, carrying a cosmetology license, a lot of uncertainty, and a strong desire to become a better hairstylist.

Although I was already licensed, I entered SULLO as an assistant. They offerred assistances a weekly salary plus tips, giving me a guaranteed pay while I learned. The standards were high, the education was ongoing, and every day was an opportunity to learn something new.

Looking back, it wasn't just the salon that left an impression on me. It was the people.

Phyllis gave me an opportunity when I needed one.

Frank shared knowledge and techniques that stayed with me throughout my career.

I remember watching Angie work with confidence and professionalism. I was fascinated by the way she flipped her scissors. I practiced until it became second nature, and it's still how I handle my scissors today.

Then there was Valerie.

Valerie had long red hair, drove a pink Cadillac convertible, and carried herself with a level of professionalism that caught my attention immediately. I was told she earned over six figures behind the chair, and for a young hairstylist who was still trying to find her footing, that seemed almost impossible.

I remember thinking, "One day, I'm going to do that."

Years later, I did.

Months later, something had changed. I didn't know everything, and I certainly hadn't completed SULLOS' full training program. But I was no longer the uncertain stylist who had walked through those doors. The education, experience, and exposure had given me something I had been missing—confidence.

When an opportunity presented itself, I took a leap of faith on the confidence I had gained and decided to move forward.

A special thank you to Heather and the team at SULLO for allowing me to share these photographs and preserve this chapter of my story. It was wonderful to learn that after all these years, SULLO continues to serve its community while maintaining the professionalism and standards that made such a lasting impression on me. Thank you for remembering me.