Big City Looks with a Hometown Feel

Rural Hair Parlor is a unique, social, and innovative salon offering healthy and environmentally friendly hair products, a stylist with educator-level expertise, and a fun welcoming atmosphere. Join owner Amber Gossett, along with the SBDC at Starved Rock Country Alliance, and the Princeton Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the Rural Hair Parlor’s Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting, Friday, April 6th, 2018 from 3:45 to 6:00 pm. Ribbon cutting will be at 4:00 pm sharp! Get your “big city” looks with a “hometown” feel at Rural Hair Parlor, where conversation is friendly, everyone feels welcome, and fresh coffee is always brewing. Gossett began her training in 2007 at the Tricoci University of Beauty Culture in Peoria and has traveled the world perfecting her craft. Her pursuit led her to Chicago and eventually St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, where she set up a salon. In 2012, Amber’s focus turned to becoming an educator and she now shares her knowledge and expertise with young stylists.

“It was a fun journey”, said Gossett, “but eventually I longed for home; for the place where family, community, and a connection to the land feed my spirit and enable me to do what is most important – helping others feel good about themselves.” “Amber’s vision for Rural Hair Parlor was to go beyond that of the expected salon experience.” said Amy Lambert, Executive Director at the IL SBDC at the Starved Rock Country Alliance. “She sees Rural Hair Parlor providing not only outstanding beauty and grooming services but Amber is creating a “thirdspace” within Rural Hair Parlor - a place people gather outside of their home that provides the important feeling of connectedness and supports the growth of both business and social structure in the place she loves to call ‘Home’. In this time where we long for more real-world connections, Rural Hair Parlor is delivering just that while offering a service.” Gossett said, “Working with the SBDC was incredible. I was fortunate enough to have the SBDC introduced to me by the Princeton Chamber and I worked with Amy Lambert, Tina Curtis, and Constance Cascaddan. They blew my mind and helped me through every step of my startup. Their support has been A+++.” Committed to caring for the environment, Rural Hair Parlor features milk_shake® products. Amber chose the line because they enable her creativity while doing great things for the earth. The all-natural, organic, yet affordable milk_shake® products are right at home at Rural Hair Parlor. Amber’s commitment to being earth friendly goes right down to her décor. Amber shares, “It was completely decorated with repurposed North Central Illinois treasures!”