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 husband 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.

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.

I have been a stylist in the Columbia area for over 10 years and attended the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis. I stay very busy with my tremendously loyal clients and have always had an interest in this industry. Salon culture experiences for me have ranged from front desk to Aveda Sales Representative to student to stylist!

I enjoy working with all hair types and am especially blessed to work in an industry that I love.

Growing up in the Jefferson City and Columbia area, I knew from a young age that I would one day attend the Columbia Beauty Academy. Graduating in 2002 with a license in hairdressing and manicuring, I can confidently say that nine years later it is still the best job in the world to me. I love the variety and creative opportunities of this profession. I enjoy every aspect of styling ranging from typical to unique cuts and colors to fun and classic formal styles. Just as no two clients are the alike, neither is a day in the life of a hairdresser. I look forward to building relationships and working with clients daily. This amazing side of my career only enhances my work as a stylist. When I am not in the salon my creativity flows into my personal life where projects are always being crated, knitted or sewn. Books, movies and precious time with friends and family fill the rest of my evenings. My chair is always welcoming new and familiar faces to consult about styling and share in our common interests.

I am from the Jefferson City/Columbia area and attended Columbia Beauty Academy in 2002. After eight years, hairdressing is still the best job in the world to me. I love doing everything from cuts and colors to formal styles, and because no two clients are the same no two days are the same in a salon. Getting to know our clients is another amazing part of what we get to do here. Knowing that their morning runs a little smoother from a visit here is great too.

Creating at work has flowed over to my home life. Now I always have a project being crafted, knitted or sewn. Books, movies and time with friends fill the rest of my evenings.

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.

I grew up in Troy, Missouri and came to Columbia four years ago to attend the University of Missouri. I am an art student at Mizzou working towards a bachelor degree in Fine Arts. Salon Nefisa has become my home away from home. I could not imagine working in a better environment or with such wonderful people as I have met in my short time here at Nefisa!

I am a 28 year old Columbia native and still love it here!! I graduated high school early and was immediately drawn to the art of hairstyling. A year later I graduated from Merrill University with a certification in cosmetology. I began my career as a hairstylist in downtown Columbia and have loved the diversity I continue to encounter. Getting to know so many different hair types and personalities is definitely my favorite part of being a stylist. I believe my greatest assets in this field are my versatility and eye for detail. My experiences over the last ten years have given me confidence with styles ranging from funky texture to classic, clean lines. My love for cutting and coloring is just as strong with short hair as it is with my long-haired clients. I spent the last three years working at Studio E and welcome all of my previous clients as well as any new faces, to join me at Salon Nefisa. I look forward to working with such a wonderful, talented staff in this beautiful salon.

I have been married to my wonderful husband for twelve years and we have three beautiful children. My family enjoys spending our free time in our back yard with friends and family often barbequing. When I am not spending amazing moments with my family I am thinking about my passion for styling. I am inspired by many things in life that enhance my artistic processes. When it comes to hairdressing; razor, texture, and cutting edge styles are my specialty. I love working with colors arraying from platinum blonde to bold vivid statements, however everything about beauty excites me. As a hair and makeup designer for small film productions and promotional material the experience allows me to push my talent to its boundaries. I enjoy the artistic and creative outlets being a stylist provides me with daily. Whether I am working on a bridal party's hair and makeup or helping my clients develop a style that is all theirs, individual and unique styling is always on my mind. I welcome an array of clients and hair types and look forward to collectively working with you in my chair.

Having recently moved to Columbia from Louisville, Kentucky, where I owned a salon of my own has been the most beautiful transition. Being blessed with the opportunity to continue carrying out my passion in this industry, I have gained so many special friendships and clients already in my short time here.

Throughout my eight years as a stylist I have perfected my skills in the areas of cutting, coloring, and styling practices. With great communication between a stylist and their client a beautiful style and experience will transpire while in the chair. I enjoy sharing ideas and techniques while working with my clients, providing them with knowledge they can take home with them, further carrying out the overall experience.

-"My job is to make sure you always love your hair!"