By Dena Beck, former staff member
During September, Brittany Sage promotes Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month at her business, Cut it Out Salon in downtown Litchfield, Nebraska, population 259.
She has lost loved ones to ovarian cancer, so she adds teal streaks to hair, paints teal nails and talks about ovarian cancer on her Facebook page.
Brittany always knew that she wanted to return to her hometown of Litchfield. And while attending school, she decided she wanted to have her own salon.
In April 2010, she graduated from Joseph’s College of Beauty in Kearney, and received her esthetician license from Xenon Academy in Grand Island in March 2011. The esthetician license allows her to offer skin care services such as waxing, facials, ear candling, hot stone treatment and more.
In spring 2011, she reached out to her local bank to open her own business. Bank staff sent her to the Center for Rural Affairs for a possible loan and the technical assistance and support that comes with the Center's loans.
Brittany worked with loan specialist, Dena Beck, and was granted her first Center loan in June 2011. She started her own business at the age of 21. The loan got her set up with equipment, inventory and working capital to get her business off the ground.
In September 2011, she had the opportunity to purchase the building that housed her business in downtown Litchfield. She returned to the Center and was granted a loan for business real estate through Rural Microenterprise Assistance Act (RMAP) funds.
"The Center helped me by offering financing, support and the Business Plan Basics class,” Brittany said. She took the class in Broken Bow, co-sponsored by the Center's Women’s Business Center, the Broken Bow Chamber, Custer Economic Development and Broken Bow Public Library.
Over the years, the business owner has added more services including pedicures, gel manicures and more. Since 2012, she has offered toenail care to the elderly people who visit the Ravenna Senior Center. She likes to get out of the salon and connect with older people.
Brittany recently attended Paul Mitchell's annual gathering in Las Vegas with stylists from all over the world. She learned about expanded business opportunities, new hairstyles and innovative products. She enjoyed the energy of the event and connecting with other stylists.
In the future, she hopes to become an educator in the field, and bring in another stylist.
“I have enjoyed working with Brittany and admire her maturity and drive,” Dena said. “I feel like I have watched her grow up these last few years.”
Call 308.745.5266 to set an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome. She also uses Style Seat for appointment booking services, which can be accessed from her Facebook page.
Cut it Out Salon
212 North Main St., Litchfield, NE 68852
308.745.5266
https://www.facebook.com/CutitoutsalonNE/
Open Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays feature $10 haircuts.
