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Date: 6/29/2023
WILBRAHAM — On June 26, Total Image Salon had its grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for its new location on 40 Dumaine St. “It’s unreal,” said owner Renee Rodolakis. “It has been such a long time coming that having it up and open is amazing.”
Attendees included the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, also known as the ERC5, and state Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo Jr. (D-Springfield) along with staff, friends and family.
Rodolakis has owned Total Image Salon for 15 years. The salon specializes in men’s, women’s and children’s haircuts, coloring, perms, highlights, hair extensions, blow-outs, waxing, make-up, eyelashes and keratin treatments. When Rodolakis first started, she really wanted to have more of a booth rental salon because she liked the idea of a self-employed, independent contractor. In moving over to the 40 Dumaine St. location, Rodolakis wanted to work on that idea even more.
“They’re basically salon suites,” she explained. “Each person here has their own little business in my business. Each stylist is their own salon. You can walk in as a new client and everyone else can run their whole systems differently. Whatever works for the person, you get a different experience each week and find a stylist that gives you the experience you’re looking for.”
She continued, “I want people to come to work and be happy. I want it to be positive. There are so many things going on that are not great that you can come in here, sit back, relax and laugh. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, a good supportive environment.”
Total Image Salon originally started off at the In Town Shops. The business then moved over to the Alpha Oil Company Building on 2440 Boston Rd. for over 10 years and stayed there until the new location building was completed.
Rodolakis told Reminder Publishing 40 Dumaine St. is a unique environment and gives small women-owned businesses a chance to shine. Total Image Salon hopes give Wilbraham plenty of variety for different types of stylists and other types of aesthetics.
Registered nurse/owner Jean Brodowski of Nouveau Aesthetics is renting space in the salon. Rodolakis met with Brodowski many months before and they both thought Brodowski would be a great fit for the salon. Nouveau Aesthetics is a med spa that includes Ultherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, Xeomin (a neurotoxin like Botox), and vitamin B12 injections and lipotropics. Starting July 1, Brodowski will be providing IV services for inner beauty, recovery and performance, hangover relief, PMS relief and Myer’s cocktail to reinvigorate the body.
“Renee is a wonderful person and everyone in the salon is amazing,” Brodowski said. “I hope to be able to help people feel good about themselves and look good.” “It’s a win-win for both sides,” Rodolakis added. “Our people will utilize Jean and a lot of times vice versa, so it’s definitely a very complimentary business to have here.”
Currently, Rodolakis has been doing a lot of hair extensions and is looking into non-surgical hair loss solutions. She said she would love to get into a larger product selection and possibly a small boutique of make-up and hair. In the meantime, Rodolakis is updating Total Image Salon’s website and social media.
Total Image Salon’s hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hours may vary due to staffing. For questions, call 413-596-8748.