In the Spotlight: Kayla Matthews, stylist

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Do you know Kayla Matthews?

The 26-year-old Manning High School graduate recently opened her own salon, Scher Excellenz, at 215 S. Brooks St. in Manning. Though she technically began operations on April 23, she plans to hold a grand opening from 3-5 p.m. May 17.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

The Betty Stephens Cosmetology Institute and Central Carolina Technical College. I was licensed in 2008.

WHAT KIND OF SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?

All types of cosmetology services, including hair, skin and nails. My passion is hair.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS TYPE OF WORK?

Honestly, I needed credit for high school, and I found out that I really liked it. I was a senior at Manning High School when I started.

WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU WORKED?

New Dawn Salon, The Shoppe on Brooks and also at JC Penney.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THIS TYPE OF WORK?

I like working with people. It’s not really a job to me: I get to hang out with people all day and make them feel pretty, or in the case of my male clients, I get to make them feel handsome.

WHAT DROVE YOU TO OPEN YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

This has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I’ve been going to Seacoast Church, and we had a message recently titled “For Such a Time as This.” (The message is based on Esther 4:14, which reads in part, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”) It made me think that I could do this right at this moment. It was definitely the extra push that I needed.

IT’S EARLY YET, BUT ARE YOU LOOKING AT EXPANDING?

I would like to eventually add another stylist, perhaps at the end of the summer. I want to make sure, first, that I provide a comfortable space for my own clients, and also find out who I am as a person and a businesswoman.

WHEN DID YOU START PUTTING THE BUSINESS TOGETHER?

Really, after the message at church, I started on it about a month before I opened. My clients have been supportive, and New Dawn Salon where I most recently worked has been very supportive as well.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT COSMETOLOGY?

I enjoy cutting hair the most, I think. It’s cool to give people a new look.

  WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? I enjoy going to the beach and Edisto a lot. I hang out with my friends and family a lot in Edisto, too. I’m also involved with the Junior Ambassadors.