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By Ayanna Eckblad

When a historic December tornado destroyed her Hartland salon in 2021, Michelle Romer knew she still wanted to continue her work as a hair stylist. Around the same time, her daughter, McKenzie Romer, graduated from esthetician school.

The two decided to go from mother and daughter to mother and daughter and business partners. They opened their joint business venture in August 2023, a store in Skyline Plaza providing hair and skin care services.

Although Michelle and McKenzie work together in the same store space and both work in the beauty industry, they each own and operate different businesses. Michelle owns and operates Dimensions Salon, which does hair cuts, colors and styling. McKenzie is the owner of Radiant Glow Aesthetics, which does facials, hydrafacials, dermaplaning, microneedling, chemical peels and lash lifts.

Initially they had a hard time finding a space for their businesses, Michelle said, because so many other businesses and people were displaced from the tornado.

“We had a hard time finding anything … for a while in Albert Lea,” she said.

When they were able to acquire the space in Skyline Plaza, a lot of work needed to be done to fit the visions Michelle and McKenzie had. They replaced the flooring and lighting, painted the walls and redecorated.

“Basically everything is new,” McKenzie said.

Michelle said many of her clients from her Hartland salon carried over and became clients at her Albert Lea salon.

McKenzie, however, as a recent graduate, had to work a bit harder to build up a client base. It is going well, she said, and she finds herself regularly meeting new clients who have booked appointments.

Both Michelle and McKenzie said they enjoy the work they do. Michelle said she has had many of her clients for several years, and she has gotten to know them very well and has become part of their lives.

McKenzie said she likes helping people become more confident, leaving the salon with a smile and knowing they will come back. In fact, she said her customers feel so relaxed that it is fairly common for someone to fall asleep during a facial or other treatment.

Having their businesses in Albert Lea has been beneficial, both women agreed. They said it is a convenient place for people in the area to get to.

McKenzie especially enjoys being able to provide aesthetic services to the community.

“There isn’t much of what I do in Albert Lea, so I like that I can help people not have to drive far away anymore. I make it more available here now,” she said.

Michelle and McKenzie’s salon and aesthetic services are available by appointment only. For hair appointments, call or text Michelle at 507-383-2362. For aesthetic work, appointments can be booked via radiantglowaesthetics.glossgenius.com or by calling or texting McKenzie at 507-383-0661.

“We love it. We love doing what we’re doing,” said Michelle. “It worked out great that we get to work together.”