I love this business! I started Nefisa in the fall of 2004 after standing behind the chair in downtown Columbia nearly 17 years. Having come to Columbia to go to MU the fall of 1984 and return again in 1987 after attending the LaPlante School of Hair Design in St. Louis, I proudly call Columbia my home.

Nefisa is my paternal grandmother’s name. My father is full blooded Egyptian and this name proudly reflects part of my heritage- my other half is English as my parents met in England and came to the states to live in St. Louis, Mo., after my older sister Aida and I were born.

The salon has grown tremendously since ’04 and our staff is hardworking, talented and committed to their craft. We strengthen ourselves with ongoing education and a genuine respect for the industry we have all come to love. I am no happier than when a client feels better after being tended to and lets me know that I make a difference.

The relationships I have developed with my clients is the special part of what I do everyday. Technically, razor cutting and working with curly hair are my specialties along with design color techniques. I take a little less time behind the chair now to be more available for my 2 daughters Samantha and Hanna. Some days we all do our homework together after school! I live in southwest Columbia with my 2 girls, 2 dogs and my longtime partner/boyfriend/other half Steve.

Being new to the salon/spa world, I am amazed everyday at how much I love my job! I’m all about making people feel better about themselves. From anti-aging facials and treating teenage acne to massage, waxing, and nail care, no day is every disappointing. It seems everyone has a smile when they leave, which lets me know that I’ve somehow made a difference, even if only for a minute.

After receiving my B.S. from Mizzou in 1995, I went to work in the bureaucratic world for about 10 years. After some career burnout, I decided I needed a change. I wanted a job where I could have instant gratification in what I did. I wanted to be around people and work in a tranquil environment instead of the sterile cubicle world to which I had grown accustomed. I felt that being an esthetician would encompass all of my needs along with allowing me to help boost others’ self-esteem. I attended and graduated from Merrell University in May 2006 and also received the most prestigious certification in the world of skin-care, the CIDESCO diploma. I’ve been proudly working at Salon Nefisa ever since. From the esthetics of the décor to the friendly and creative staff, the atmosphere at Nefisa is amazing—you just must come in and see for yourself!

On a personal note, I currently live in Jefferson City with my little dog Sophia. I enjoy the outdoors, wildflower gardening, traveling, all types of art, and spending days in the spa, of course.

After graduating from Macon High School in 1996, I attended Moberly Area Community College, where I received my Associates Degree. At that time, I realized that continuing a college education was not for me. Because of my passion for my art classes and the influence of my sister, Kim, who is also a hairstylist, I decided to move to Columbia to enroll in the Columbia Beauty Academy, where I completed my training in August of 2001. At that time, I was able to get my first job as a stylist with my sister Kim at The Strand in Columbia. I remained there until the opening of Salon Nefisa in October 2004, at which time I came here.

I love working with cuts, color, and formal styling. I am not intimidated by thick, curly, long or short hair-- I enjoy tackling any challenge! I like helping people who have a goal. I truly love my job, and find it very rewarding to make people feel good and happy through my work.

In my spare time, I like to hangout and watch movies with my boyfriend, my family, and of course my cat, Draven.

Kimberly has been a stylist at Salon Nefisa since October 2006. A graduate of the Cosmetology Concepts Institute; she enjoys all aspects of hair design, but specializes in cuts and color.

Surrounded by hair during the days, Kimberly uses her leisure time to surround herself with her friends and family. She is lucky enough to have her parents close by in Centralia, Missouri – the town she grew up in. Her warm, relaxing and creative service has been honed by the time she spends with her nephew Gram, which she calls “the highlight of my life”. So come in, share a story or two and let Kimberly give you a thrilling new look!

A Northeast Missouri native, I moved to Columbia in 1981, attended Jerry's School of Hair Design and began my career in the cosmetology industry. With the dedication to making my clients look and feel good about themselves, I spent the next 20 years working in Columbia. I took a year off and explored a business venture in Texas in 1999 but it wasn't long into my transition that I realized I missed doing hair and soon found myself back in the field I had just recently left. In Texas I worked in the industry four years before realizing I missed my clients and the wonderful relationships I had made over the years.

To my wonderful clients I want to "thank you" for sticking by me through the years and I look forward to many more. During my 27 years as a stylist, I have attended advanced technique training at Vidal Sassoon, London, Toni & Guy, Dallas, and The Pivot Point Academy, Chicago. I enjoy working with all aspects of hair and strive to keep up with the latest trends in the industry.

Having become a member of the Salon Nefisa staff in fall 2007, I enjoy the casual and relaxed yet sophisticated and professional environment the salon provides and I look forward to sharing it with you.

This is my 7th year back in CoMo and I’m proud to call Salon Nefisa my home since October 2006. I have been a stylist since 1993 and worked in Kansas City prior to my move back in 2000. My specialties are color, cutting, facial waxing, and ear piercing, but I LOVE all aspects of hair design because of the creative outlet that it allows me to fulfill.

In my leisure time, I enjoy reading mysteries, interior decorating, jazz music, and spending time with my boyfriend and his daughter. Also, my doggie-daughter Tuela Mae is my pride and joy.

I moved to Columbia when I was eight years old, and downtown has always been the heart of this town. It’s a big part of my heart, too. In the seventies, my brother and I went to the Missouri Theatre to watch the latest movies. In the eighties, I was a student at Jerry’s School of Hair Styling, and my classmates and I ate lunch at 9th Street Deli every day. Over the years, I’ve worked at salons around Columbia, and even in Minneapolis, but I am most happy to be back downtown where I belong.

It goes without saying that I love cutting and coloring hair and enjoy make-up application. Still, my favorite part of being a stylist is building relationships with my clients. I’m happy when my clients leave Nefisa happy, and it’s a bonus for me to catch up on their families, jobs and latest adventures.

I spend my free time with my partner, our children and our friends—usually, that means hanging out in the backyard pushing Luka and Willa on the swing set.

Our  dear Melissa is taking a leave of absence to be with her family and fight her battle with cancer.
To find out more please visit  www.melissagebhardt.com.

This is my 7th year back in CoMo and I’m proud to call Salon Nefisa my home since October 2006. I have been a stylist since 1993 and worked in Kansas City prior to mAfter about 4 years as a stylist, I thought I needed a career change and obtained my Associates Degree in Social Work at Moberly Area Community College while working as a stylist. I had originally come to Columbia to go to MU and get my Bachelor’s Degree. However, once I started working as a stylist here in Columbia, my love for doing hair was revitalized. I realized that it wasn’t a career change that I had needed, but rather a location change. I decided nolows me to fulfill.

My passion for doing hair began when my mother started encouraging me to practice perms and highlights on her hair when I was 14. Soon, I was doing my sisters’, aunts’, cousins’, and friends’ perms too. I attended Cosmetology school in St. Joseph, MO and graduated 14 years ago. After graduating, I worked as a stylist in my hometown, Macon, MO.

After about 4 years as a stylist, I thought I needed a career change and obtained my Associates Degree in Social Work at Moberly Area Community College while working as a stylist. I had originally come to Columbia to go to MU and get my Bachelor’s Degree. However, once I started working as a stylist here in Columbia, my love for doing hair was revitalized. I realized that it wasn’t a career change that I had needed, but rather a location change. I decided not to continue my education due to the fulfillment I was getting from styling hair in Columbia.

I love coloring hair because of the immediate change that it provides. I also enjoy cutting all types of hair, including ethnic hair and hard to manage textures. I also love re-texturizing hair, and I specialize in thermal straightening, hair extensions, and formal hairstyles.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, pets, and especially my husband who I adore! My husband and I enjoy ministry work at our church as well as singing in the worship band. I also enjoy cooking and entertaining, watching movies, theater, hiking, and being in nature.

I was born in Columbia, and have lived here ever since! I am currently a senior at the University of Missouri and will graduate in May with a Bachelors of Journalism with an emphasis on Strategic Communications. I will remain in Columbia after I graduate, as I will be pursuing a Masters degree in Journalism in the fall. I have been a receptionist at Salon Nefisa since August of 2005, and plan to continue working here throughout graduate school. In my spare time (which is minimal!) I enjoy running, cooking, reading and spending time with friends and family, which I am blessed to have close to me here in Columbia.

A native of Fulton, I have always been involved in the industry in some capacity, usually as a client, but I often admired the artistic freedom and relaxed feeling exuded by most stylists. Having spent many years working in the corporate world I decide to throw my hat into the ring and became a graduate of Merrell University of Cosmetology.

I enjoy being able to express my artistic side at the same time meeting some of the most truly incredible people, my clients. Each person comes to you, the stylist, with something totally different in mind. As you get to know them on a personal level you get to know their likes and dislikes and help them find the look that makes them feel best about themselves. I strive to keep up with the latest trends in the industry to keep my clients looking and feeling great about themselves.

I work at Salon Nefisa because of the exceptional staff, level of professionalism, comfortable environment and most importantly Sara's dedication to bringing quality services and products to the area. Let me help you achieve the look you are searching for while enjoying the things that make this salon truly unqiue.