Extol February-March 2019 | Page 64

EXECUTIVE Friendships come in all forms, but when you find one that’s a keeper, it’s gold. For local entrepreneurs Amie Bradford and Amanda Jones, their tight friendship grew through a common yet quirky, connection – hair. Amie, the owner of Amie & Co. Hair Studio at 1521 Blackiston Mill Road, in Clarksville, met Amanda, the owner of Totally Clips Pet Salon at 636 Providence Way, also in Clarksville, about 12 years ago via the traditional Southern Indiana- Louisville connection: high school history. “This community is always asking where you went to high school. Amie’s brother went to high school with my husband, so there you go,” Amanda recalled. “Shortly after my wedding, I needed a haircut, so I buzzed into her salon. She cut off nine inches of my hair, and we became friends from there.” The hairdresser-client bond is often as sacred as attorney-client privilege, and the two quickly formed a close friendship. “We even planned our second children together,” Amie laughed. “I told her my husband and I were thinking of having a baby and she said, ‘OK, we should do that, too.’ We were pregnant at the same time, which was fun, and it bonded us even closer.” Their children, Avery and Addison, are only six weeks apart and will soon turn nine years old. As their friendship evolved, a common thread – hair – wove into their frequent chats. Amanda took over her grandmother’s Louisville- based dog grooming business, Totally Clips, when her grandmother retired. “I’ve been grooming dogs my whole life,” she said. “My grandmother taught me to groom, and I took over her salon for about five years while I lived in Louisville.” After a while, Amanda, who now lives in Southern Indiana, felt burnt out and needed a change. “I had one of those God moments where Goodbye Junk. Hello Relief! I woke up one day and realized nothing made sense in my life,” she said. “I wanted to start over and open my own business with new clients and new experiences.” Amie had recently taken a leap of faith as well, opening a hair salon in 2014. The two women consulted with each other and talked both as girlfriends and business entrepreneurs. “There were lots of supportive discussions, which included talking each other off of ledges and keeping us out of the evening news lineup,” Amie recalled. “I was a big cheerleader for Amie when she opened her salon, and when I decided to open my grooming salon in Southern Indiana, she was so helpful,” Amanda added. “It was having a sounding board as a woman, a small business owner and a friend. We laugh all the time that while our businesses are totally different, they are also very similar. We deal with the same Bringing the party to you! Get rid of unwanted items without lifting a finger. We show up on time and clean up when we’re done. 1-800-468-5865 | 1800gotjunk.com By choosing us you help save billions of pounds of junk from the landfill. * To redeem this offer, present this ad at time of pickup. Cannot be combined with any other offer and is not redeemable for cash. Not valid on single item or minimum charge pickups. Courtney Cain & Michelle Ray www.nakedbysunday.com /mobile.bartending.2017 62 EXTOL : FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 @NakedbySunday