SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Katelyn “Katie” Duford is bringing her passion for hairstyling home with the opening of The Hair Studio & Co., a new salon located inside the North Star Health Center building at 100 River Street in Springfield. A 2006 graduate of Springfield High School, Duford was born and raised in Springfield and said she is excited to bring her work closer to home.
Duford attended Keene Beauty Academy in Keene, N.H., and began her career as a hairstylist at the Village Salon in Walpole, N.H., where she worked for 10 years. After leaving the Village Salon, she ventured out on her own, renting a booth at Salon 41 in Claremont, N.H.
Recently, Duford was given an opportunity to work with Springfield on the Move to establish her own salon in her hometown and to be closer to her family.
Duford is a wife and the mother of four children, Winnie, 2; Leighton, 5; Sawyer, 9; and Ameira, 17. She also volunteers as a cheerleading coach, working with athletes from second grade through high school.
Prior to opening, her husband, Ryan Duford, helped renovate the salon, installed new flooring, and applied fresh paint to brighten the interior. The large windows overlooking the river allow sunlight to fill the room, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The connecting rooms are now available to rent by square footage through Springfield on the Move. Duford explained that the plan for developing the space is to attract a variety of practitioners and eventually grow into a wellness and spa center, potentially including massage therapy, an esthetician, and other services. The space is bright and welcoming for clients. Duford commented, “Everything, the lightness just feels good in here.”
Duford offers haircuts and hair coloring, and specializes in “lived-in” color treatment. She is also proud to offer custom color with extensions – hair wefts. She explained, “Through a consultation, we discuss…what’s your color goal, and we would pick your extension color, order [the product], and customize and match your hair.” And, if a customer is happy with their current hair color, extensions may also be matched to it.
Stylist Amanda Rogers works with Duford on Thursdays. Duford hopes that Rogers will eventually join her on staff, full-time, in the very near future. Rogers is currently accepting new clients; she has 10 years of experience and has worked with Duford for years, both in Walpole and in Claremont.
The Hair Studio & Co. is open Tuesday-Friday, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with occasional Saturday appointments.
The Hair Studio & Co. can be accessed from the rear of the North Star Health Center building. Parking is available at 100 River Street. From the parking area, walk across the footbridge and through the building, then exit at the rear and proceed to the separate wing entrance on the right, marked with The Hair Studio & Co. sign. Continue straight down the hallway, past the restrooms on the right, where a welcome mat identifies the salon as open for business. Additional signage is expected to be installed as renovations to the building continue.
Stop by to see Duford and Rogers, or call Duford at The Hair Studio & Co at 802-289-9752.