THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601230110
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: EARNING A LIVING IN VIRGINIA BEACH
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
BONNIE BIRSCH has enjoyed being a cosmetologist for the last 15 years, but when she started her own business, she began to love it.
``There's no one to rush me,'' said Birsch, 34. ``I've built a good clientele and I wouldn't give it up.''
Birsch started Hair At Home five years ago. Now, she's styling and cutting hair in businesses, hospitals and nursing homes as well as private homes.
She packs up the tools of her trade - combs, brushes, curlers, curling irons, shampoos, conditioners, coloring, perms, towels, and even a blow-up basin that uses a bag similar to an IV bag to dispense water - and off she goes.
A typical house call, including shampoo, cut and style, costs $20. She also gives discounts for serving more than one customer per household or business.
For instance, a family of three adults would pay $15 per shampoo, cut and style.
Her prices for hair coloring start at $35 and perms start at $45. Both prices include shampoo, cut and style.
She travels from the Beach to Norfolk and some parts of Chesapeake to serve customers. One Lynnhaven-area company has her come by every six to eight weeks to give haircuts.
``It's convenient,'' said Birsch, who grew up in the Thalia area. ``Moms don't have to get a baby sitter. You don't even have to leave the comfort of your home. There seems to be a real need for the service.''
Birsch has cut and styled hair in hospitals and nursing homes using her blow-up basin as a sink. Often, these patients or residents haven't had their hair washed in several weeks.
``They're always appreciative,'' said Birsch. ``So much so that they make me feel like I'm doing a good deed.''
Several of Birsch's customers go back to the time where she was paid by commission while working for other salons. She spent several years managing a local salon before she got pregnant with her daughter, Chelsea.
When Chelsea, now 5, was born 2 1/2 months early, Birsch gladly gave up salon work to tend her daughter.
Once Chelsea was able to travel, Birsch started her Hair At Home business, bringing Chelsea and Chelsea's necessary medical equipment with her on appointments.
She even talked her best friend into starting a mobile hair styling business. Now, Birsch jokes, they never see each other.
One goal that Birsch has for her business is to serve more home-bound seniors.
She also has plans to attend the American Cancer Society's ``Look Good Feel Better'' program, where she'll learn to work with cancer patients and their special needs. She plans to work with cancer patients as a volunteer.
When Birsch was in ninth grade, with no aspirations for college, a counselor mentioned that maybe she would be interested in cosmetology, since she was always fixing her hair and makeup.
She began studying cosmetology at Virginia Beach public schools' Technical and Career Center in 10th grade and has ``loved it ever since.''
Even her sister, who refused her hair care services for years, has given in and lets Birsch cut her hair regularly.
``I guess she didn't trust me,'' said Birsch laughing. Now she cuts her entire family's hair, including in-laws. MEMO: You can reach Hair At Home by calling 631-8122.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Bonnie Birsch, owner of Hair At Home, does Elaine Murray's hair at
Murray's home in Thalia. A typical house call, including shampoo,
cut and style, costs $20.
by CNB