Photo by Dani Wilson
Carolyn Mahan and Kim McAdams are among the five women working at Paradise Salon in Wood River. Each has a different specialty.
Wood River’s Paradise Salon is taking a team approach to management.
Paradise stylist Carolyn Mahan says the salon’s self-employed women work together to manage the business.
“We all do different things,” she says.
There are five women working at the salon, each with different specialties. Mahan does cutting, perming and coloring for men, women and children. Kim McAdams does facial and full-body waxing as well as ear candling. There are two more stylists, Lee Barrow and Amy Bruce, and a nail technician, LaDonna Cobine, who is able to do full manicures, pedicures, acrylic and gel nails.
McAdams says the combined group has more than 50 years of experience. They have all been working in the area for most of their careers and grew up in the Wood River area. Mahan, for example, has been doing hair in the River Bend for 20 years. McAdams has been working in the area for 17 years.
The new management at the 4-year-old salon began in May.
“The shop has been remodeled, and there’s more to come,” McAdams said.
Paradise has new flooring and paint, new furniture, and new hair stations, which Mahan says promote “a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.” In the future, the stations for each stylist will be renovated, aiming for a modern look and feel.
Mahan began working at the salon in May, when the new management plan began.
She says she enjoys the freedom of working in a team management system.
“We’re able to work well together and individually,” Mahan says.
The other stylists were already working at Paradise and have had to adapt to the new system. McAdams said it is favorable among the whole team.
“Everyone gets along, so we all cover each other,” she says. “It’s a team effort, even though we’re all self-employed.”
She says it allows the salon to have more flexible hours and stay open later.
McAdams says they all work hard to create a comfortable environment at Paradise. She tries to make every customer feel seen when they’re at the salon.
“I make sure to greet everyone that walks in the door,” she says. “Customer service is number one here.”
Mahan agrees the team tries to make each customer feel welcome.
“It’s an experience you’ll never forget — like your own little piece of paradise,” she says.
Paradise Salon, 118 E. Ferguson Ave., is open for appointments throughout the week. Walk-in hours are 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, and available by appointment on Monday. Cobine is available for appointments only throughout the week. For information, call the salon at (618) 251-8054 or Kim McAdams at (618) 540-8170.