Salon filled with Charisma

Charisma Hair & Nail Studio is offering its clients more than just a new hair color, manicured nails and rested tootsies from the foot spa.

Owner and Stylist Kelly Wayne wants clients to feel glamorous, relaxed, and more importantly pampered.

That's why she opened the salon with a focus on the clients' needs and building a trusting relationship.

"It's about the treatment you get here and they are really interested in me as a client ... not creating a brand," said Anne Gregg, of south Fort Myers. She drives from Alico Road to the Colonial salon because she refuses to have her hair done by anyone except Wayne. "She moved and I followed. I feel comfortable here and these people know me."

Gregg is just one of many clients that visit the salon on a weekly basis whether it's for hair treatments, cuts or an hour and a half long pedicure.

"We are more than a big salon because we don't push products on customers and don't have a receptionist to set up appointments," said Wayne noting that appointments are made with each individual stylist.

The difference at Charisma is that each stylist rents an area from Wayne and runs it as their own business.

"They make their own appointments and have flexibility to open whenever they want," said Wayne, adding that each stylist must bring their own clientele with them. "It's about the personal attention and knowing that my client can go to another stylist and get good service at the salon."

Service is such a focus for Wayne that part-time employee Joyce Troiano comes in a few times a week to make customers comfortable.

"I do what needs to be done and it's all very nice and pleasant," said Troiano whose daughter Jill Duncan is a stylist at the salon. "I get (customers) snacks, drinks or whatever they need."

Being able to meet that need comes naturally to the Charisma staff because they have more than 20 years of hair experience. They opened Charisma in June.

"To be successful in my business you need to keep up with education, be motivated and disciplined," said Stylist Margie Weekly. "It's a great feeling when you can change ones confidence."

Diane Ferazzi is a nail specialist and the newest member at Charisma. She started just a month ago and is already seen an increase in customers looking for manicures and pedicures.

"This area is booming and people like it so much here that I have more clientele here than I did in a year at another salon," Ferazzi said. "It's very relaxing and my clients love it. This is a good group of people and everyone gets along."