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Lawren Hendrix knew the most ideal way to pay tribute to her late mother was the opening of her own nail salon called Blush Beauty Bar.

“On Jan. 4, 2020, I lost my precious mom to brain cancer. I was lost but loved what I did for a living and thought I would open my own nail salon in her memory. Getting her hair and nails done was one of her favorite things. I started 2020 with a horrific memory, so I decided Jan. 4 shouldn’t be a sad day. My mom would be so upset if I sat around all day moping. I opened Blush Beauty Bar on Jan. 4, so it would forever be a party and day to celebrate in my mom’s memory,” Hendrix said.

She has been doing nails since 2019 and first developed an interest in nails while in college. After graduating from LBWCC, Hendrix received her cosmetology license in Alabama.

“I became close with my instructor and learned all I could. Upon graduating, I took a job at a local salon here in town. They helped my love for nails grow and taught me things school didn’t. After working for them for a year and a half, I realized I could provide for my family and branched out to open Blush Beauty Bar,” she said.

Hendrix added that working for someone else was not really meant for her. “I was missing out on my children’s school activities and community sports. I started discussing leaving Magnolia Jane with my husband during quarantine and signed my lease at our location in September 2020. With Christopher’s hard work, my design, and a whole lot of prayer, I was able to open Jan. 4, 2021.”

Reaching this milestone carries a lot of significance to her given the current state of the world.

“Being open for one year brings much excitement and happiness to me. The fact it takes so much hard work and support for a small business to run, let alone succeed for the first year, is amazing and a huge accomplishment. The fact my team and I did it during a pandemic means more than anyone will ever know. It has been tough, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” she said.

According to Hendrix, beating the odds has been her biggest achievement to date.

“Everything about Blush is a huge achievement. 2020 and 2021 were tough and terrible years for me with the loss of my mom and then the loss of my pawpaw who was my father figure. I have also raised three kiddos and ignored all the small-town rumors. It is an achievement just to be open, and for that, I am grateful. I couldn’t do any of this without my clientele’s support.”

The reasoning behind the name Blush Beauty Bar came because she did not want the word ‘nails’ in her business title. “I did not want to constrict my business to only doing nails. When we grow one day, I will offer more than just nails.”

Goals have been laid out for the second year at the salon. “I hope to tackle 2022 smoother than 2021. I pray we continue to grow our clientele and continue to help the community stay beautiful. We look forward to 2022 with you,” Hendrix said.

Blush Beauty Bar offers a wide variety of services with three women currently on staff.

“We offer anything from laugh sessions to the best pedicure you can ask for. The environment I have created at Blush is one that makes everyone want to come back. All of our clients feel comfortable enough that what is said at Blush stays at Blush, all while getting pampered. I have two of the best ladies who work for me. Brit-Brit (Brittany) and Stacye help keep the salon running when I cannot be there and not to mention, they love my family. I have created a bond with these ladies that is irreplaceable.”

Having superb customer service is essential for Hendrix. “I have always worked in the public but never like this. When you get your nails done at Blush, we know you when you come back and continue to build that relationship with each visit. Since my mom passed, I have become closer with the clientele I have. They all care about me a little more than just their nail lady. It is almost like I have been adopted by some of these women. With kids, grandkids, and vacationers, we feel like we know them and look forward to hearing about them. It is a bond you build and care about that makes clients keep coming, along with offering excellent nail services.”

As a full-time wife, mother, and business owner, she resides in Andalusia with her husband Christopher Hendrix and has four children: Ashlynne, 11; Wyatt, 8; Aubrey, 6; and Nolan, 4.

Blush Beauty Bar is located next to Church’s Chicken in Andalusia at 1516 East Three Notch Street, Suite C and is open six days a week. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 334-658-8617.

“Thank you all for your support. To our existing clients, we will see you soon, and to people who have not stopped by, we look forward to meeting you,” Hendrix said.