Martha Henry never dreamed that Kaitlin Babb, a 10-year-old neighbor and playmate of her daughters, would one day be her business partner.
“When I was growing up in Land O’ Lakes, we did hair all the time at Martha’s house,” Kaitlin recalls fondly. “I’ll never forget the day she made me a blonde in her kitchen.”
As Martha styled and colored the hair of friends and family in her Lake Padgett home, Kaitlin patiently watched whatever Martha did, learning enough by the time she was 12 to begin doing hair for her friends.
Martha’s early mentoring had a lasting impact. After graduating from Land O’ Lakes High, Kaitlin attended Paul Mitchell The School in Tampa, graduating from the 10-month course in 2011.
Meanwhile, Martha’s career was taking off at The Salon at ULTA Wesley Chapel, located in The Grove shopping center. Martha joined Ulta when the salon opened in 2006, and was soon one of its top stylists.
During her eight years at Ulta, Martha followed Kaitlin’s progress as she graduated from high school and cosmetology school, and began working as a hair stylist. Two years later, with Martha’s encouragement and recommendation, Kaitlin was hired at The Salon at Ulta.
“It was a bit like working alongside my daughter, since I’ve known Kaitlin most of her life,” said Martha, “I was very proud of what a good stylist she had become.”
Last January, Martha decided to open her own salon — Fabulous Hair Designs. She chose an office suite a few miles south of Ulta off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, in a complex behind Dunkin Donuts on the north edge of the Seven Oaks community.
In August, Kaitlin joined her childhood teacher, and they brought together the talents, strengths and experiences of two generations.
“I’ve been doing hair for 30 years and bring a lot of experience to our team,” said Martha. “Kaitlin brings the exuberance of youth, and the knowledge and training in the most up-to-date trends and techniques that she learned at Paul Mitchell.”
Martha is a Redken Certified Colorist, one of only 3,000 in the world. Both women are Redken Certified Stylists. Redken bestows these prestigious recognitions after extensive, ongoing education and testing.
Martha and Kaitlin are full-service stylists who offer clients expert haircuts, color and highlights, color techniques such as Sombre’ and Balayage, and special treatments such as Keratin and perms.
“It’s the stylist — not the salon — who creates the look that makes you feel great,” said Martha. “Kaitlin and I have the training and experience to give you the same trendy cuts and color techniques found at bigger salons.”
In addition to great prices, Fabulous Hair Designs Inc. offers extended hours daily, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Martha and Kaitlin are also available 24/7 for hair emergencies.
Martha: (813) 928-2939 • Kaitlin: (813)476-1558
3854 Flat Iron Loop, Suite 104 • Wesley Chapel, FL
Behind Dunkin Donuts on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
7 days a week • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hair emergencies 24/7
