By Sue Baldani

Dawn Coffin has always had a passion for hair and makeup. “I have two sisters, and I used to do their hair all the time,” she says. “It just grew into something that I loved enough to make it a profession.”

And make it she did. After working as an employee for Beverly Hills Hair Studio in Martinsville for 19 years, she’s been the owner for the last 11. “I bought it from the previous owner because I had built such strong relationships with all my clients, and I just love the area,” says Dawn. “I invested so much into it that I knew I could continue making it a success.”

Although she has been in the industry for 30 years, she makes sure she and her stylists keep things fresh. They stay on top of all the new techniques, trends, and products. “Everything's always changing, so even though we have clientele who may not want to change things up too much, we have others who want to stay very much on trend.”

Beverly Hills Hair Studio is a full-service salon, offering haircuts for women, men, and children, as well as other services like hair extensions (coming this fall) and makeup.

While many of her stylists have been with the salon for many years and have developed their special relationships with clients, Dawn also likes to bring in younger stylists who are just starting. “They can relate a little bit more with their generation, but even more important to me is mentoring them the way I was. This is something I’m passionate about because I want them to be successful and be able to do what they love too.”

She also believes in helping in other ways, whether it’s donating a basket for a good cause or mentoring students who are interested in the beauty industry. “Students from Bridgewater High School come in during the school year as part of a work in the community program,” says Dawn. “As a business owner, it’s essential for me to give back and make a difference in my community.”

The salon receives numerous referrals, thanks to Dawn's active social media presence and advertising efforts. As a result, new clients are constantly coming in.

Currently, the salon has five stylists and two more in training, so there will be a total of seven by the end of the year. It will also be extending its business hours. “Right now, we're open five days a week, but in the fall we'll be open seven days,” she says. “Everybody's so busy, so we want to make sure they can find a time slot and a stylist to fit their needs.”

Of course, being a business owner, and especially a female business owner, is not always easy. “It’s important to find your voice and be heard because it's easy to be intimidated in such a big industry,” says Dawn. “Most women find it easy to be an employee, but being an employer is a whole different ball game.”

Her advice to other women looking to open their own businesses: “Just do it. It's always a learning curve, and we learn from our mistakes. But, if you put your heart and soul into it, you can really make it your own and be very successful.”

For an appointment, call 732-271-1919 or go to BeverlyHillsHair.Studio.