For 25 years, I've been a hairstylist and owner of Kara Bella Salon. Building relationships has always been at the center of what I do. When you spend years helping people look and feel their best, you learn how to listen, how to remember what matters to them, and how to make them feel special. About eight years ago, I started doing more work with Craig's practice, and I realized those same skills translated perfectly to what we do here.
My role focuses on event planning for clients and office events, along with client appreciation and milestone gifting. What excites me most is the creative side of it all. I get to use my creativity in ways that go beyond the salon chair. Whether I'm planning an event or selecting a gift for a client's milestone, birthday, or difficult moment, I'm thinking about who they are as people and what would make them feel valued. The details are what separate our events and gestures from others, and I love finding ways to make each one personal.
I grew up in Plainfield, Illinois, when it was still a small town where everyone knew each other and looked out for one another. Craig and I live in Joliet now with our two sons, Cade (who's a sophomore at the University of Missouri) and Colin (a senior at Joliet West High School). For years, I was mostly a stay-at-home mom who worked part-time at the salon, but as the boys have gotten older, I've been able to focus more on this work.
What I enjoy most about this job is building relationships with clients and getting to know them in a more personal way. I find it fascinating to learn about their history with Craig and how long they've been part of our practice. Whether it's through an event, a sympathy gift, or a congratulatory gesture, I want them to know they're more than just a client to us. They're people we care about.
Outside of work, I'm an avid runner and love working out with my girlfriends. I enjoy cooking, organizing, and anything related to home decor. And if there's a warm, sandy beach involved, you can count me in.