Being a business in a small town like Ottawa can be harder compared to larger cities.
Ottawa University students can find several cosmetic options in the Ottawa area.
Some cosmetic locations in Ottawa include Envy Nails, Hairport, Rex’s Shop, Sun Studio and Main Attraction.
College students are important to these businesses because they are a main source of clients.
Rex’s sometimes has a masseuse come in and give massages.
“We have a lot of football players and basketball players come in and tan,” Audrey Reed of Rex’s said. “We also have a lot of girls that come in and tan.”
Main Attraction, which does hair, nails, tanning and waxing, is located on Main St. in Ottawa. While college kids are second in line to their main target market of community members, they still remain an important focus to their business.
“We don’t have a lot of college students come in, but we definitely cater to the ones that do,” Cindy Dryden, employee at Main Attraction said.
Jocelyn Clardy, freshman from Kansas City enjoys getting her nails done and she finds these businesses useful. She goes to Hairport and Envy Nails.
“The nail shop is extremely important,” said Clardy.
She gets her nails done about twice every month. She says that Envy Nails has tremendous service.
“I was extremely satisfied with the service I got,” Clardy said. “Everything was done efficiently and in a timely manner.”
It’s a consensus that local cosmetic businesses appreciate the business they receive from students.
“College kids are very important to us,” Reed said. “We try to keep up with you guys.”