If one has been following The Journal since winter, they are familiar with the new salon suite business in-town. The Journal’s first conversation with one of the owners happened in January of 2021. She clarified her intentions and ideas for the beauty shop. The owner was waiting to secure building permits from the City of Cottage Grove. In August of 2021, The Journal followed up with her and her husband. Renovations on the salon were near complete. Professionals were about to be invited into their suites to prepare for Sept. 1. That was opening day. Most recently, the salon had their ribbon cutting ceremony. With the grand opening of Salons by JC Cottage Grove having occurred on Oct. 5, rising business owners are catering to the city’s diverse clientele.

Salons By JC claims to value the “support of [their] franchisees and salon professionals, empowerment through education, and a commitment to bettering [their] community” on their official website. Locations of the company are situated in many North American neighborhoods. Since 2011, it has evolved from a single site in Texas to more than 100 in the United States and Canada.

Salons By JC Cottage Grove is one of the business’s latest franchises. It is owned by Karen Ruckdashel and her spouse Ron Ruckdashel. After graduating high school, Karen attended Hastings Beauty School. She went on to make a living at an open-floor salon for 26 years. Succeeding that, Karen became her own boss at Salons By JC Apple Valley. Her next endeavor would be to operate a beauty shop on East Point Douglas Road. “The Ruckdashels transformed 8,080 square feet into a modern and luxurious salon and spa with 42 salon suites,” illustrated a Salons By JC press release from Sept. 27.

The rooms would be leased to more than 20 businesswomen by Oct. 5.

Terri Moore has been “good friends” with the Ruckdashels since high school. In an interview with The Journal, just before the ribbon cutting ceremony, she revealed, “I now live in Virginia and Washington DC, and flew in for this because I know that this is the culmination of a dream that Karen and Ron have had for a very long time…and I couldn’t wait to come and celebrate it with them.”

Moore proceeded, “What I love about this is the big salon is Karen and Ron’s dream come true. But, they’re making 42 other dreams come true, right? Each and every one of those business owners is now going to get to experience the American Dream there. They’re not going to work for somebody else…but they get to work for themselves now and decide how far they want to reach; how high.”

Nurse Sara Scott is one of the bosses at Salons By JC Cottage Grove. She is the founder of PUR Aesthetics. Her menu of services includes neurotoxins, dermal fillers, micro-needling, and chemical peels. Scott values responding to the “individual needs” of clients. Being educated is another concept that PUR Aesthetics esteems. “I’m also a nurse by background, so I think I bring in different elements to this type of service with my assessment skills, my anatomy knowledge, and really how those facial structures work,” Scott assured.

Medical spa providers are abundant in Woodbury, but not in Cottage Grove. Resultantly, Scott is able to meet local demands of non-surgical aging treatments as they surface.

“For a really long time,” Scott has pondered becoming a businesswoman. She sprang into action when she came across Salons By JC Cottage Grove. Scott recalled, “When I finally decided to make a move out of acute care and take this jump…I honestly just started Googling different rental places. And I met with Ron and Karen, and just the energy that they brought, the knowledge, Karen’s background, and I just felt [that I] would be really supported by them.”

Similarly, Taylor Shiff encountered Salons By JC Cottage Grove when she was seeking out a “luxury suite.” Her longing to become her own boss initiated when she was becoming a mother. “I just wanted her to know that she could do anything that she sets her mind to,” expressed Shiff. “And so I decided to quit my job that I was unhappy at and go to school and I decided to open a business straight out of school…And then Ron followed me on Instagram. And when I spoke to them, I just felt connected to them right away…we met when this building was empty…When I met them, I just knew it was the right place to be, but there was nothing in here. It was just… really running on faith, but I could see Karens vision and I knew it was the same as mine.”

The Skin Studio is Shiff’s business. According to her, clients will not find anything like it in Cottage Grove. Firstly, she uses “amazing” brands that are based in her home state of California: Epicuren and Ayur Medic. Secondly, Shiff specializes in several procedures. She offers sugaring, which is a method of hair removal, spray tanning, facials, lash extensions, lash lifts, lash tints, and brow tints.

The Skin Studio’s services distinguish it from nearby spas. Perhaps what completely sets it apart, however, is the “great team” behind it. “…I couldn’t have done anything without my husband,” Shiff insisted. “He’s been like pillar of support. He put everything in this room, he is…helping me when I need to buy new things or move something around…And not only does he help me with the studio, but when I’m not home to take care of the baby, he is.”

Prior to establishing Hedz Up Cutz and Stylez at Salons By JC Cottage Grove, Veda Williams was enhancing hair in two places. “I actually was doing braids for a while, and it was…hectic… doing braids at home, to going to Sport Clips…”

An exhausted Williams sought –one solid place- to serve in. She started welcoming clients at Salons By JC Cottage Grove on Oct. 1. There were many-all with diverse hair types. Williams told The Journal: “I’ve been super busy since I’ve been in here: all the kids braids, and homecoming-they had up-dos and cuts…I mix it up, so I [work on] a broad range of different textures of hair…- Hedz Up Cutz and Stylez is acknowledging the high demand for textured hair appointments in Cottage Grove. She indicated, “Out here, there’s a lot of biracial kids out here. And their moms normally don’t understand how to get through a combing and all that type of stuff.”

That is where Williams interferes: “…I educate [guardians] so that they can be able to learn how to do it at home for themselves, too…”

From Williams, guardians can learn of the products that improve textured hair. On top of that, she will suggest a shampooing schedule.

Both Karen and Ron Ruckdashel had positive words to say about Scott, Shiff, Williams, and their other salon professionals. This emotional speech occurred immediately before they bisected their ribbon. “I hope you realize the courage-“ Karen began before shoking up.

She proceeded, “These people behind me, inspire me every day. They teach me every day. I watch incredible detail and care. I’ve watched them come together and support one another. I’m so excited. I don’t know that when I was their age that I would have-I wouldn’t have the vision that they have. But, I invite you to come and meet each and every one of them. And“ “Some of them have waited nearly a year for this,” Ron piped in. “They signed on with us when there was nothing here. And I can tell you things without hanging on, waiting, wondering when that day was [when] we were going to open…and between COVID and construction delays and shipping and everything else. But to see it finally come to fruition and everybody getting up and going, it’s been amazing.”

Karen concluded, “And they have carried us through some tenuous times. Their hope and their belief in us has been just invaluable. So, we welcome you to come in and meet everybody and have some refreshments and thank you again. Congratulations to all of you. I am so very proud of you.”

Applause erupted for all of the new business owners.

If one would like to get to know their names, profiles, and distinct business descriptions, they can navigate to https://salonsbyjc. com/salon-services/?location= minnesota-cottage- grove

Taylor Shiff brings some of the California flair to Cottage Grove with her unique Skin Studio. Here Shiff specializes in several procedures from hair removal, to spray tans, facials and all sorts of lash work. Photo by Bruce Karnick

Veda Williams, right, is the queen of her own creative space after years of working from home and for other salons. Her experiences gave her the skills to service people with diverse hair types, experience she is happy to share with anyone that walks through her door.Photo by Bruce Karnick

Sara Scott took the leap from nursing to founding her own business, PUR Aesthetics. PUR’s menu of services includes chemical peels, dermal fillers, micro-needling, and more. The combination of her nursing background with the services offered provide a unique pairing of safety and service while she caters to her customers individual needs.Photo by Bruce Karnick