Love is in the hair
Ardenwoods has many amenities to offer its residents, one being its state-licensed, on-site salon. Known by staff and residents as the “spalon,” its three dedicated contract workers provide haircuts, hair coloring, perms, shampoo sets, manicures, pedicures and massage therapy to residents.
Angela Balken, one of the three wonderful women who work at the salon, specializes in hair and nail services. Angela first learned about Ardenwoods when a client of hers moved to Ardenwoods. Her client was no longer able to drive, so Angela started making house calls to Ardenwoods.
That led Angela to approach Ardenwoods about open positions at the salon. Fast forward, and now Angela is entering her eighteenth year working at the Ardenwoods salon — bringing more than 30 years of cosmetology experience with her.
Angela has lived in the Asheville area since she was 18. After graduating from university, she started working in a business position at a local winery; however, she soon tired of her office job and decided to enroll in cosmetology school.
“I had thought this new career in cosmetology would be fun, and it’s been great for me,” said Angela.
Angela’s workdays are busy, seeing about 20 clients in a seven-hour workday. The salon has one haircut and styling chair, two dryer chairs, and one massage table. Angela enjoys working alongside two other workers, Shirley and Ashley, who also provide hair and massage services to residents.
As most of Angela’s clients keep standing weekly appointments, she gets to know the residents quite well, even their friends and family who visit them.
“I just love the residents. I feel like I make their days better, and they tell me I do,” she said.
Outside of her time at Ardenwoods, Angela enjoys biking, hiking, and traveling with her husband and grandchildren.
Angela — and the other workers at the salon — help keep our residents feeling fresh and looking their best. They are yet another reason that our residents love their Ardenwoods community.
