After several years away from the beauty industry, Paula Dieker is returning to her passion. She has opened a public salon, House of Styles, in her home.
Paula, who has held her cosmetology license for roughly 25 years, decided to take time to raise her children before returning to her dream of owning a hair salon.
“When I was very young I loved going with my mother to her weekly hair appointments at our hometown salon in Waverly,” Paula said. “I was very intrigued and content watching the before and after transition done by our local hair dresser Carol Robbins.”
Paula was hooked and at a very young age knew exactly what she wanted to do.
“When I was in high school Carol took me to my first professional hair convention in the city. That’s when I knew I wanted to cut and style hair just like carol.”
After graduating she attended Hairbenders School of Hairstyling in Lawrence. She took her first job as a stylist at Joda & Friends in Lawrence. She worked for two years before moving to Iola in 1989.
Over the next eight years she worked in two salons on the square, Manetamers and the Wild Hare.
“I had a daughter, Morgan, at home and after the birth of my son, Drake, I was fortunate enough to fulfill my desire to become a stay-at-home mom,” she said. “Those years were very important to me.”
“Now that my children are all grown I feel ready to move forward with a dream of having my own salon.”
Her home had a salon downstairs, but she would only use it to cut family members’ hair. One of the licensing rules to become a public salon is there has to be a separate door to the salon for customers to walk in and out of.
At the end of December Paula’s home met all of the requirements and it was eligible to become a licensed salon.
The name House of Styles is not only fitting but also appropriate.
“With my love for styling and being at home, the salon name came fairly easy to me, House of Styles,” she said.
Paula, who enjoys being at her home, said one of the biggest benefits to having a home business is being able to stay open later.
House of Styles is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“It helps people who work late shifts or athletes who don’t get done with practice until late,” she said. “That 6 to 9 p.m. window is really helpful for them.”
For more information or to set up an appointment contact Paula at (620) 380-6050 or (620) 365-9731.
Home sweet home for local business
