Staff writer
A larger retail and boutique area, lay-down tanning booths, and eyelash extensions are just some of the many additions at the expanded new location for Miles by Design, a salon operated by mother and daughter duo Karen and Kaylie Miles.
The pair have been at their new location at US-56 and Commercial Dr. since the end of April, and have enjoyed working with each other for the past four years.
“We’re so similar,” Karen said. “Sometimes we finish each other’s sentences or say the exact same thing at the exact same time, and it gets kind of creepy, but it’s very beneficial to both of us.”
The transition from Main St. in Marion to US-56 was smooth and very quick, Karen said.
“It’s got our own style and taste in it,” Karen said. “Everything has its own place and its own separate area, which makes it nice, and more professional and relaxing.”
Kaylie also has enjoyed the change.
“It’s been awesome,” she said “I’d say our boutique business has definitely picked up, and between the both of us, we have not figured out anybody that we’ve lost.”
“We’ve actually picked up traffic from the highway,” Karen added.
With a large open room, separate spaces for the salon and spa, hanging lights, and a modern feel, the new space offers a new feel for visitors.
“We’ve been told it doesn’t look like we’re in Kansas,” Kaylie said.
A customer in the salon at the time said the salon was beautiful, modern, and “looks like an incredibly professional, well thought out place.”
Customer’s aren’t the only ones impressed.
“Even my salon coach that we work with — he travels the United States, and he walked in here and his mouth dropped,” Karen said.
Karen, who has been doing hair for 28 years, got her start in Marion after a trip for used salon equipment left her with an offer she couldn’t refuse.
“The day after my graduation, I came to town looking for some used equipment I heard about and I got a job instead,” Karen said.
When she asked about the equipment, she was told it was gone, “but if you want a job, come back tomorrow; you can start working here.”
That’s when she started working for Carol Robertson at Unique Designs.
Soon afterward, Robertson sold the salon to Karen on her 21st birthday after deciding to retire, but Karen later sold it after deciding to work from home while taking care of her kids.
Kaylie graduated from high school in 2012, and from cosmetology school in 2013.
The main goal of their salon is to make everyone leave the salon feeling better than when they came in. Since it’s a family business, they also want to focus on family.
“We want to provide the most up-to-date techniques, services, and products for the entire family,” Karen said.
Being in the family business has proved to be beneficial to both.
“Working with Kaylie as a four-year stylist is almost like working with a 10-12-year stylist because she grew up around it,” Karen said. “We work really well together.”