Saturday, November 30, in the heart of downtown LaBelle, at 97 Park Avenue, the LaBelle Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Grand Opening of Mirror Mirror Salon. Children enjoyed playing in the bounce house, and adults were treated to live music, as they perused the Paparrazi jewelry and Lularoe clothing vendors outside. Inside, the mimosas and sangria flowed, alongside an indulgent spread that would make a Thanksgiving table envious. The salon’s atmosphere warm and welcoming, decorated with a beautiful juxtaposition of vintage style and contemporary flair.

“Opening a salon has always been a dream,” owner Betsy Christine explains, “I have prayed about this salon for a long time. When the opportunity to turn this building into a salon presented itself, I knew I had to do it.” The salon is in a historic, 107-year-old building, filled with countless stories and so much character, even having survived a fire- evidence of which can still be seen around a purposely unpainted, warped window pane. “I am very fond of the building. It was love at first sight. The first time I walked in here about two years ago, I just had a feeling. It is 107 years old, was the first bank in LaBelle in 1922 and many other successful businesses since. I really look forward to hearing more stories about the building,” says Christine.

Mirror Mirror offers a variety of services to its clients, “We do hair, nails and spray tanning. I specialize in color. I have several different techniques to achieve the latest colors but I also know all about ‘old school color’. We also offer custom spray tanning to be able to service any skin tone,” she says.

“I have done some of my clients hair for 10 plus years and I cherish the friendships we have,” she goes on, “I truly have a passion for hair. I love what I do. One of my favorite moments is when a client is glowing. Smiling from ear to ear because I have changed her look and made her feel beautiful, new, refreshed. It makes me happy to make other people feel good about themselves,” she manages to convey, over the hustle and bustle of setting up for the Grand Opening. “I would say I do more than cut or color hair. I’m a friend, I’m a sounding board, I get to be apart of people’s special events and life moments and at times I feel like a physiologist. LOL. But my clients are my friends and I love being there even when they really don’t need a cut but someone to listen to them.”

Both her faith, as well as being a a devoted mother serve as a daily inspiration, “My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is what motivates me and allows me to live this beautiful life,” she says about her inspiration for hard work, “and my son motivates me in so many aspects of life. I want him to see his mother working hard to achieve success and helping others, giving back to the world. He is everything to me! He is seven and loves to race dirt bikes. My career gives me the freedom to be able to go to his races and spend quality family time with him.”

How did this determined young woman get started? Christine replies, “I grew up in a salon family. I received my nail technician and esthetician’s license before I graduated high school. I have always been attracted to all things beauty. I also have aunts who made successful careers as hair dressers.” A 2003 LaBelle High School graduate, Christine has lived in LaBelle for almost 20 years. After attending college in Fort Myers, she decided, “LaBelle is truly my home. So, I moved back, and it’s been home ever since. I love this town and the people. This place is very unique. I took the opportunity to further my education, using the scholarship from LaBelle High School. I originally wanted a degree in Emergency Medicine but after getting my EMT certification and working on the road I decided that was not for me. I went back to school to become a cosmetologist and 12 years later, here I am.” She has now been in the beauty industry for 18 years.

Mirror Mirror Salon is located at 97 Park Avenue, across from Barron Park. They can be reached by calling (863) 674-0172, and are open from Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.