Country Girl comes to Moran

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August 19, 2013 - 12:00 AM

Lindsey Vanderford doesn’t let anything get in the way of her dreams and being happy. The Elsmore native has recently opened Country Girl Salon in Moran at 512 N. Birch St.
Vanderford, 31, was born and raised on a farm in Elsmore. After attending Marmaton Valley High School she went off to pursue a graphic design degree at Emporia State University. In 2005, she made the decision to move back home after her brother passed away.
“My younger brother was 15 and my other brother had just passed away and my parents had recently divorced,” Vanderford said. “I felt like I needed to come home for my family.”
Once she was back in the area, Vanderford changed her focus and attended cosmetology school in Fort Scott. She waited tables to put herself through school. After graduating, she worked at Class Act Salon in Iola.
“I worked there for three and a half years,” Vanderford said. “I learned a lot from Pam Tressler, the owner.”
After a while she finally felt ready to go out on her own and she opened All About You hair salon in Iola.
“Things were going well at the store,” she said.
Then earlier this year her father passed away suddenly. Vanderford and her husband Dennis then decided to take over the farm in Elsmore.
“It made sense to go home,” she said.
Now, Vanderford, her husband and their two children live on her family’s farm and run a cattle operation.
“My entire family lives on the same road,” she said. “I love being home.”
At the Country Girl she does hair, shellac nails, and waxing. She also sells Avon and Scentsy products. It doesn’t stop there. Vanderford also sells clothing, jewelry, accessories and hair care products.
“Right now I’m open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday by appointment,” she said.
She said she’d add more services eventually.
“It feels good to bring business to your town,” she said. “You want your town to grow.”
Although she has a lot on her plate Vanderford said her “mommyness comes first.” Her five-year-old son will be starting kindergarten this year and her shop is less than a block away from the school.
Her shop has been open for about a month and she said her client base has been great.
 “There were so many of them who showed support when I lost my dad,” she said. “I don’t think of them as clients, they’re my friends.”
With a strong support system Vanderford said she’s happy with the shop’s progress.
“It’s all falling into place,” she said. “It’s like my dad saying it’s OK. It’s bittersweet.”
Although she has gone through many struggles, Vanderford said she has learned a lot.
“You have to pick yourself back up and do what you love. I know this is what I’m meant to do.”
To contact Vanderford for an appointment, call 620-228-7650.

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