November 19, 2025 • 29 mins
Melissa discusses how their group of local businesses supports those suffering from medical-related hair loss and how they build their cusomter's morale through their supportive services.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Light Up the D, focus on what's happening
in our community for the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Good morning and welcome to Light of the D. I'm
your host, Colleen Grant, Thanks for joining me today. Our
guest today is Melissa Young's. She's owner of the Bella Group,
a beauty and wellness collective consisting of three brick and
mortar businesses located in downtown Farmington and The three brick
and mortar businesses are Merle Norman Cosmetics, Viiju Salad and Spa,
and Rebecca's Wiggs. Melissa is a lifelong entrepreneur who has
(00:38):
a passion for holistic beauty and wellness. As a cranial
prothesis specialist and certified trichologist, her goal is simple to educate, empower,
and transform how women feel about themselves, especially those among
the over fifty percent of women in the US experiencing
hair loss of some kind. Please join me in welcoming
Melissa Youngs. Melissa, thanks for joining me today, my pleasure.
(01:01):
Thank you so much for having me. Well, why don't
we talk first about your beauty and Wellness Collective. We
talked about Merl Norman Cosmetics, Biju Salon and Spot and
Rebecca's Wigs. What exactly are these businesses doing in downtown Farmington?
How did they end up together in this collective? Give
us some background.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Sure, so we are unique all in one destination located
right in the heart of downtown. Merl Norman Cosmetics has
actually been in that location for over fifty years, so
that was quite a legacy. There was a salon in
Spot attached to Merl Norman for about the last fifteen years,
(01:39):
but it was the spot at Merle Norman.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
So when I acquired these businesses a.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Little over a year ago, I decided that this salon
and spoat should have its own identity, so we rebranded
as Biju and we added Trichology Services. Rebecca's Wigs is
a space also connected to Meurl Norman that the previous
owner head turned into a week studio about seven or
(02:05):
eight years ago, and so it was a natural fit.
I felt to really bring the businesses together, the synergy
being focused on hair loss and scalp health and hair
health which is really a very underserved condition in this
(02:25):
country and so many women are looking for answers and options,
and so it was a very natural thing to kind
of bring the businesses together and collectively determine what our
focus and our energy was going to be.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Well. I really appreciate what you're doing as a woman
who's in her fifties and my hairline seems to be
moving backwards rapidly, or I'll go through some personal family
situation and lose like a big giant spot of hair
or whatever it is. You know, there really is no
information out there. There's nobody really saying, hey, here's what
you can do. So thank you for you know, what
(02:59):
you're trying to do to help we women who seem
to keep.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
Losing more and more hair.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
And then there are all sorts of other conditions and
reasons people are losing hair. We'll definitely get into that
in a minute, because you have many many solutions that
you know are for a loss, different people experiencing different things.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
But I want to go back to the beauty.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
And Wellness collective because you were telling us how the
three came together, and what do you think makes those
you know, that collective or those three together different from
other hair salons and wig studios.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Great question, So each department within our business compliments each other.
So someone dealing with hair thinning might start with like
a trichology consultation, then move into a scalpe detax treatment,
later explore wigs or hair systems. While they're here, they
might get a facial or have their makeup touched up.
It's like beauty and wellness BEINGO. Every square is a win, right,
(03:51):
but we really work together to just promote that overall
health and wellness. Hair loss, as you said, is so
pre in the US, it's growing more and more. Before COVID,
the statistic was about fifty percent of women over forty
experienced some type of hair loss. I recently read an
article that it's up to about sixty five percent. So
(04:14):
we know why so many reasons of certainly at Rebecca's
we have a clientile base that consists of many people
going through chemotherapy treatments or who are struggling with health
issues that affect their hair loss, alopecia, thyroid conditions. Genetics
plays a big part in it. A lot of people
(04:34):
aren't aware that female pattern baldness is a thing. We've
heard of male pattern baldness, but females do get that
as well, and then we have a certain percentage of
ladies that come in to Rebecca's and they say, I
have no idea why my hair is falling out. I
just have very thin hair long COVID. I've read some
articles and statistics contribute to that a lot of recently
(04:59):
in recent years, I know, there's been a huge growth
and popularity and drugs like ozembic and weightless drugs, and
that also can certainly affect hair loss as well, because
if you're not getting proper nutrition at eating properly, that
affects your scale health and your hair loss. It's just
a very, as I said, underserved community of women who
(05:22):
really don't have a lot of answers, and our goal
is to provide not only answers, but assistance in their
journey and solutions to not only making them look better,
but feel better and get back that confidence that may
have been lost along with their hair.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Yeah, so you'd mentioned like there are a lot of
different things they can experience or needs they might have
while they're in any one of those businesses. How do
they all work together? Like are they all one location
or are they Yes?
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Okay, so all of the businesses are connected, Okay, so
each individualsiness has its own kind of storefront, but we
do have one entrance into meurl Norman, which is our flagship.
So if somebody is coming in for an appointment in
the salon and spa, either directed there and then as well,
(06:15):
on the other side of merl Norman we have Rebecca's Wigs.
It's a private studio, so we do work by appointment
over there. We give everyone kind of the privacy and
individual attention to be able to try things on and
speak with a consultant without having a foot traffic or
people kind of coming and going or browsing or things
like that. So even though someone might come in specifically
(06:40):
to purchase makeup in meurl Norman or for a hair appointment,
it's always top of mind as far as really showcasing
everything that we do and inviting people to experience all
of the different things.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
That we have to offer.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
And I know you're a certified tricologist, but I wasn't
familiar with that word before we started.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
You express what trichology is, sure.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
So I know it sounds like a big fancy title,
but it's really not that complicated. It's not something that
I had to go to school for years to achieve.
It's really just the study of hair loss and being
able to analyze and offer options from a holistic standpoint.
So certainly not a medical doctor or anything like that,
(07:25):
but in just experiencing women who do come in with
hair loss and the journey that they've been on and
things they've tried. Just my personal experience with that, I
feel has given me a lot of insight into what
works what doesn't. And truthfully, there are so many things
that women and men can do to promote scalp health
(07:49):
and hair growth that do not involve any type of
traditional medicine or medical approach. And so really trichology is
just that the study of hair loss and coming up
with solutions for people from a holistic standpoint, so that
before it even gets to the point where medication or
(08:10):
a drastic measure could be needed.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Well, And I think that's interesting because one might think
that you're talking about a medication, but it is holistic
that from what you come tell us a little bit
more about that.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
So, as I said, a lot of ladies have tried
different hair loss medications, and again I'm not a doctor,
so I'm not saying they work, they don't work. But
again in my experience with speaking with women, many have
tried and just has done nothing for them. So, you know,
we really with a trichology consultation, I would sit down
(08:45):
with someone and really explore their diet, the nutrition that
they're getting, their stress level, things like that. Also, how
they're caring for their hair, how they're caring for their scalp,
the vitamins that they take. All of these things can
make a huge different references in promoting hair growth and
really having healthy, strong hair.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
And in addition to being a certified trichology issue, are
also a cranial prosthetic specialist yes, which refers to wigs.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Yes, yes, yes, So tell us.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
A little bit about how did you get a great
deal of understanding about wigs and cranial prosthetics.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
How did that come about?
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Well, the a cranial process as specialist is really someone
who works with people to find the perfect solution for
them as far as alternative hair, leaning more towards a
medical wig, so it is a medical term. A lot
(09:43):
of insurance companies when they hear wig, they think that
that's cosmetic. But ladies who come to see us certainly
are not coming because they just want their hair to
look better for cosmetic reasons.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
They have this true need.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Because of their hair loss, so cranial presses this is
really the medical term for a wig. But having that
license for our establishment allows us to be able to
fit women for a medical wig. We also have an
NPI number, so we are in the National Provider Directory,
which allows them to turn our receipt into an insurance
(10:19):
company and it's a much easier process to get reimbursed
because we do have that distinction of having that great
reputation and the knowledge and capability to really care for
women who are in need of a medical wig.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
How did you get inspired to become involved in tricology
and specialize in hair loss solutions?
Speaker 4 (10:39):
How did that come about?
Speaker 3 (10:40):
It was really just when I acquired these businesses, it
was now something that I planned to do. I've been
an entrepreneur my whole life, as you had said, and
I had kind of semi retired after for about fifteen
years I owned a full service national advertising agency. It
was very successful and sold it about thirteen years ago
(11:03):
and I thought I can't really retire. I'm not old
enough and I want to do something, So I decided
to go in a completely different direction with my career,
and I went to school to become a permanent makeup artist.
I wanted to specialize in paramedical tattooing, which I do.
I still have that license and I work with clients
(11:27):
who I do three D areola tattoos for breast reconstructive
patients and things like that.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
But it was something I.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Started out intending to do part time because it was
a personal interest of mine, and it kind of snowballed
into a lot more than that. I ended up doing
it full time, and when COVID hit the space I
was renting for my business unfortunately had to close. So
I found a new space within Merle Norman that I
rented from the previous owner to continue my permanent makeup business.
(12:00):
And as we became acquainted and got to know each other,
she realized pretty quickly that I had a strong business
background and advertising marketing background, and so we bonded over that,
and it was about two years after that that she
approached me and said, you know, I'm I've had this
Moral Norman store for twenty five years, the salon in
(12:22):
spot I'm in Rebecca's, and I'm kind of ready to retire.
Would you consider purchasing the businesses, and I said no
about five times. I really wasn't interested. I went home
and told my husband, you know, I don't know if
I want to. I'm at the point in my life now.
You know, I'm fifty eight years old. Back then I was,
(12:44):
I think fifty six. But I said, I'm I don't
know if I want to take it to the limit
one more time, or if I just want to take
a nap. And he said, well, I know you're not
taking any naps. So I took the plunge and I
purchased the businesses. And one of the reasons that I
decided to do that was because of the impact I
(13:05):
could see Rebecca'swiggs was having on the community of women
experiencing hair loss. And I saw so much potential with
developing and growing the salon and Spot to really specialize
in SPOT treatments that focus on that, as well as
educating our stylists on scalp health and hair health to
(13:26):
be able to really take it to another level and
bring those together in that synergy that we've been talking about.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Yeah, I would think it's pretty meaningful to help somebody
get through losing their hair.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
It really is.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
And you know, one of the many benefits of being
in this environment for myself as well as my entire staff,
is that you know, every day, at least once or
twice a day, someone just hugs us and cries and
tells us that, you know, we've changed their life. And
what more did you ask for then, to be able
(14:03):
to experience that in what you do every day?
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (14:05):
That is the truth. You mentioned your spa services. Let's
talk about the Japanese headspot that that you have.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
What is it? Why is it gaining so much fuzz?
Speaker 3 (14:15):
So the Japanese head spot is something that again was
kind of on my radar when I was approached about
taking over the businesses and I researched it extensively.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
It was really.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Not something people had heard of at that time, but
I knew that based on the research I did, it
was something that could really make a difference and be
a big part of the protocol that we have for
helping people with their hair loss. And it's basically a
ninety minute spa treatment. It's the most luxurious spat treatment
you'll ever experience.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
It's better than a.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Massage, it's better than a facial It's kind of the
best of everything, but it involves actually scoping somebody's head
before we start. So we do have a like almost
a scanner. It looks like an ultrasule machine that we
can take up pictures of someone's scalp and see the
condition of the scalp of the hair follicles. I know
(15:12):
from my training and trichology that if the follicles are
alive but just not growing, you can still grow your hair.
There's a reason why it's not And when hair loss
is not medically related, if it's not specifically because of
chemotherapy or alopecia or another medical condition, ninety five percent
(15:35):
of the time it's because of lack of blood flow
through the scalp or inflammation, which are both to phrases
that also have been getting a lot more buzz in
recent years.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
But they both of those things do affect hair growth.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
So with the Japanese headspot, we kind of show people
what's going on with their scalp, but then you know
they're on a treatment table for the duration of the
spot treatment, and it involves really exfoliating the scalp, detaxifying
the scalp, adding you know, great serums and treatments they're
(16:10):
packed with nutrients and vitamins you know, specific to scalp
health and hair health. But the best part of it
is that it's really ninety minutes of stimulation as well.
So the massaging you know, who doesn't love having their
hair played with or their head massage. Yeah, and the
massage the scalp to promote that blood flow, massage the neck,
(16:34):
the shoulders, we might do a little facial treatment. So again,
it's just a super luxurious, relaxing spot treatment. A lot
of people come for it and have none that have nothing,
no hair loss whatsoever. But it is just a wonderful
treatment and with the benefit and the bonus that it
does actually balance the pH of your scalp and promote.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Hair growth, sounds like a great gift rate gift. Absolutely,
I hope I get that for Christmas.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
Absolutely So.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Clients who experience hair loss, like, how do you guide
them through choosing a wig, a top or or hair system.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
What is the process for that.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
So we work by appointment in Rebecca's Wigs and we
schedule appointments for someone to come in for one hour consultation.
All of our weight consultants are very educated, very experienced,
and very extremely knowledgeable about what's available, as it was saying,
(17:37):
not everyone needs a medical wig, but that's certainly available
as well as really any other type of wig. But
our consultant will spend anywhere from forty five minutes to
an hour asking questions, getting to know that person, giving
them the opportunity to ask any and all questions that
they might have about all of the different possibilities when
(17:59):
it to wigs and tappers, and so it's just a
way to really work one on one with them, and
that's how we come to a conclusion as far as
what is the best decision for them. And almost everyone
that comes in does end up leaving, if not that
day with something, you know, because we do of course
(18:21):
special orders and things like that. But we're very successful
in really matching the person with what's going to be
best for them and making sure that they really feel
comfortable with what they're wearing and more importantly, good about
how they look. Seeing that confidence boost is everything.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
What are the differences between a medical wig like fitting
and traditional wig sails anything?
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Is there a difference at all or not?
Speaker 3 (18:49):
A true medical wig is actually made of a pharmaceutical
grade silicone and does have to be specially fit and
especially ordered. So that's the most I don't want to
say complicated, but that process would take the most steps
as far as getting someone fitted and.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Ordering that it's more sophisticated. It's a lot more sophisticated.
The reality is, though a lot.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
Of people come in thinking that they need a medical
wig or something that's branded as a medical wig. But
all of our wigs are very high quality. They're made
of very high quality materials. The lace and the material
that is used to make wigs is hypoallergenic. It's breathable,
(19:34):
so if someone is going through chemotherapy, or they have
female pattern baldness or something that's maybe not quite as
severe as scalp infections or certain types of alopecia, they
can flare up. They don't necessarily need that strictly medical wig.
All of our wigs are considered cranial process for the
(19:56):
sake of insurance and things like that, really showing them
the different options, because of course there are different price
points as well. So the most expensive wig would be
a true one hundred percent medical wig, but we have
a lot of options other than that for people to
consider that can be just as beautiful and wonderful.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
For them, Yeah, depending on their needs.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Exactly why is it important do you think in your
experience to have access for beauty and wellness services while
when a person's going through medical or emotional challenges. Why
is the fact that you provide all of those together important?
Speaker 4 (20:35):
What have you seen that it does for the woman?
Speaker 3 (20:38):
The transformation that occurs in someone in not only how
they project themselves or how they feel about themselves, but
how they look when we're able to help them. The
way we do is fascinating. And so many women come
in and they are shrinking. Literally, you can almost see
them just shrinking internally because of what they're going through.
(21:01):
Everyone knows someone who has experienced cancer gone through chemotherapy,
and the process takes so much out of you, not
just physically, but you know, mentally and emotionally as well.
It's a big deal to be able to help someone
get that confidence back and get that feeling of wellness
and kind of well being back, because you know, cancer
(21:24):
as well as other conditions that make you lose your hair,
can really strip someone of that and it's not necessary.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
There are things that.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
We can do to help alleviate those symptoms and to
make somebody feel better about themselves, and almost always it's
a huge transformation, and it shows in every aspect of
what they do. They project themselves so much more confidently
and are just so much happier because of how they look,
but also because of how they feel.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
If you're just joining us, our guest today is Melissa Young.
She's the owner of the Bella Group in Farming in Hills.
Your slan, your spaw and your wig services. They support
each other with what you just said to create that
kind of transformation for the client. Do you have like
a favorite success story you've seen happen or something that
really touched your heart when you helped somebody in a
(22:18):
variety of ways through your different organizations.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
It would be so hard to pick just one. But
as I mentioned earlier, a day doesn't go by when
someone doesn't want to just give us a big hug
before they leave and tell us how wonderful they feel
and how life changing the whole experience has been for them.
I've seen hundreds, if not thousands, of women go through
(22:45):
this process and go through this transformation, and what it
does for their quality of life is just unexplainable. And
that's what keeps me driven every single day to go
in and keep doing this and to keep building and
growing and educate. You know, my staff they're wonderful, you know,
and they're all very skilled at educating our clients and
(23:09):
being there for them and in whatever way that we can.
And I like to remind them that people who come
to see us, it's unfortunately almost all of them are
going through what is probably one of the worst times
in their life. It's worth repeating, you know often as
I do, that we have to be immune to any
type of negativity because if someone walks through our door,
(23:33):
this has to be a haven. It has to be
a place of respite where they can feel not only welcome,
but also loved. And so that's our goal and that's
what we strive to be and do every single day.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Yeah, you'd said, you know, sometimes when they when a
person comes in, you can actually see the physical shrinking
that's happened, like inside of them, and I can't even
imagine like witnessing that and just wanting to rebuild the
self value that feel from, you know, feeling like they
look good or feeling like they feel good. You know,
all those things fit together to really empower a person.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Yes, and hair is such a huge part of our identity.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
It really is. It is, and it really.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Disappoints me sometimes when I hear people say, which happens
often unfortunately, they'll say, well, my my hairdresser said, my
hair's just really thin, but it's not really you know,
I'm not really bald, so I could kind of just
deal with it. Or they'll say my husband said that
it's superficial, I shouldn't worry about my hair. And my
response is typically, you know, if you lost your teeth,
(24:38):
you'd replace It's so funny. I was just gonna say,
it's like if you lost your teeth, and then you said,
if you lost your teeth, right, it's the same.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
It's like, if you lost your teeth, right, yeah, you'd
replace them. Yeah, So why would you not replace your hair?
You know, and especially if someone's head a full head
of hair, you know, a long, thick mane their whole lives,
that really becomes who they are. It's part of the personality,
it's part of what they project and being able to
give that back to someone is a really special thing. Gosh, Farmington, Farmington,
(25:08):
we tend to have seemed to support Farmington and Farmington
Hills quite a bit for a wide variety of reasons
they had. We used to be in Farmington Hills and
the Farmington community is Farmington Hills, Farmington Community. Both those
areas are just lovely areas. What is it about Farmington
for you that you love being in Farmington?
Speaker 3 (25:28):
Downtown Farmington, it has a little bit of everything. It's
got Charlie vibe. It's got such a vibe. And interestingly,
I grew up in Northwest Detroit. My parents moved to
Farmington before I was going into high school, so I
lived in Farmington while I attended high school, and then
during college I went to Wayne State, so I lived
at home and then I moved away.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
And it was not.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Until very recently that with putting my small business there,
that I was reacquainted with Farmington. And it is just
and transformed into such a wonderful community. As we were saying,
you know the charm. But our location is right downtown,
so it has foot traffic and there's just a strong
(26:12):
sense of community. We like to be very involved as
involved as we can. We are big supporters of the
Greater Farming Scenaria Chamber of Commerce. In fact, Rebecca's Wiggs
was just nominated by the Chamber as Small Business.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
Of the Year. No congratulations, so we were one of
the nominees. So there's just so much going on and
it is such a caring community and I feel it's
a great location and just ideal to support us, and
so we try to get back as much as we
can as well.
Speaker 4 (26:44):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
And what's one piece of advice you'd give to someone
struggling with hair loss or self image issues?
Speaker 3 (26:50):
The advice that I like to give people is that
you are not your hair. But everyone deserves to feel confident.
People should not suffer in silence. There are so many
options and you don't have to navigate them alone. We're
here and so many times I hear someone say that,
you know, they were even intimidated or didn't want to
(27:10):
come in because they didn't know how they would be
perceived with no hair. And you know, my answer is
very simple. That is why we are here. We are
happy to help. We are happy to guide you with
decision making or anything that you need. Really, because hair
is a very important thing and there is absolutely no
(27:33):
shame in not having hair. But there's also absolutely no
shame in rocking a wonderful wig or tapper that makes
you look and feel fabulous.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
I love that and you should rock it absolutely right.
If somebody heard this and they're like, hey, I need
to know more, where would they find out more information
about you?
Speaker 3 (27:52):
So we do have a website for each individual business,
but all three do have information that crosses over. Rebecca's
Wigs is just Rebecca's Dash Wigs dot com, Biju Solon and.
Speaker 4 (28:08):
Spa is BISU.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
That's b i j Ou Dash Salon, SPA, s A
l O n s p a dot com. And then
of course Merle Norman, which is Merle Norman Dash Farmington
dot com.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
What's your favorite thing about what you do?
Speaker 3 (28:25):
It has to be just showing up every day and
getting to be around so many special people. My staff,
of course, we all love what we do and we
all love feeding off of each other and really working
together to achieve that synergy. But the clients that come
in every day and seeing the transformation of how they appear,
(28:47):
how they act, and just the insecurities and taking that
and turning it into somebody who is much more knowledgeable,
much more educated, and much more confident about themselves. Without question,
that is the best part of what we do. This
is Melissa Youngs who's been our guest. She's the owner
of the Bella Group.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
Thank you for joining us, Melissa, thank you so much
for having me. I have really enjoyed it me too.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
This has been light up the d A community, a
fairs program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would like
to get on the program, email Colleen Grant at iHeartMedia
dot com. Here are all episodes on this station's podcast page.
Welcome to Light Up the D, focus on what's happening
in our community for the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Good morning and welcome to Light of the D. I'm
your host, Colleen Grant, Thanks for joining me today. Our
guest today is Melissa Young's. She's owner of the Bella Group,
a beauty and wellness collective consisting of three brick and
mortar businesses located in downtown Farmington and The three brick
and mortar businesses are Merle Norman Cosmetics, Viiju Salad and Spa,
and Rebecca's Wiggs. Melissa is a lifelong entrepreneur who has
(00:38):
a passion for holistic beauty and wellness. As a cranial
prothesis specialist and certified trichologist, her goal is simple to educate, empower,
and transform how women feel about themselves, especially those among
the over fifty percent of women in the US experiencing
hair loss of some kind. Please join me in welcoming
Melissa Youngs. Melissa, thanks for joining me today, my pleasure.
(01:01):
Thank you so much for having me. Well, why don't
we talk first about your beauty and Wellness Collective. We
talked about Merl Norman Cosmetics, Biju Salon and Spot and
Rebecca's Wigs. What exactly are these businesses doing in downtown Farmington?
How did they end up together in this collective? Give
us some background.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Sure, so we are unique all in one destination located
right in the heart of downtown. Merl Norman Cosmetics has
actually been in that location for over fifty years, so
that was quite a legacy. There was a salon in
Spot attached to Merl Norman for about the last fifteen years,
(01:39):
but it was the spot at Merle Norman.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
So when I acquired these businesses a.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Little over a year ago, I decided that this salon
and spoat should have its own identity, so we rebranded
as Biju and we added Trichology Services. Rebecca's Wigs is
a space also connected to Meurl Norman that the previous
owner head turned into a week studio about seven or
(02:05):
eight years ago, and so it was a natural fit.
I felt to really bring the businesses together, the synergy
being focused on hair loss and scalp health and hair
health which is really a very underserved condition in this
(02:25):
country and so many women are looking for answers and options,
and so it was a very natural thing to kind
of bring the businesses together and collectively determine what our
focus and our energy was going to be.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Well. I really appreciate what you're doing as a woman
who's in her fifties and my hairline seems to be
moving backwards rapidly, or I'll go through some personal family
situation and lose like a big giant spot of hair
or whatever it is. You know, there really is no
information out there. There's nobody really saying, hey, here's what
you can do. So thank you for you know, what
(02:59):
you're trying to do to help we women who seem
to keep.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
Losing more and more hair.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
And then there are all sorts of other conditions and
reasons people are losing hair. We'll definitely get into that
in a minute, because you have many many solutions that
you know are for a loss, different people experiencing different things.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
But I want to go back to the beauty.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
And Wellness collective because you were telling us how the
three came together, and what do you think makes those
you know, that collective or those three together different from
other hair salons and wig studios.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Great question, So each department within our business compliments each other.
So someone dealing with hair thinning might start with like
a trichology consultation, then move into a scalpe detax treatment,
later explore wigs or hair systems. While they're here, they
might get a facial or have their makeup touched up.
It's like beauty and wellness BEINGO. Every square is a win, right,
(03:51):
but we really work together to just promote that overall
health and wellness. Hair loss, as you said, is so
pre in the US, it's growing more and more. Before COVID,
the statistic was about fifty percent of women over forty
experienced some type of hair loss. I recently read an
article that it's up to about sixty five percent. So
(04:14):
we know why so many reasons of certainly at Rebecca's
we have a clientile base that consists of many people
going through chemotherapy treatments or who are struggling with health
issues that affect their hair loss, alopecia, thyroid conditions. Genetics
plays a big part in it. A lot of people
(04:34):
aren't aware that female pattern baldness is a thing. We've
heard of male pattern baldness, but females do get that
as well, and then we have a certain percentage of
ladies that come in to Rebecca's and they say, I
have no idea why my hair is falling out. I
just have very thin hair long COVID. I've read some
articles and statistics contribute to that a lot of recently
(04:59):
in recent years, I know, there's been a huge growth
and popularity and drugs like ozembic and weightless drugs, and
that also can certainly affect hair loss as well, because
if you're not getting proper nutrition at eating properly, that
affects your scale health and your hair loss. It's just
a very, as I said, underserved community of women who
(05:22):
really don't have a lot of answers, and our goal
is to provide not only answers, but assistance in their
journey and solutions to not only making them look better,
but feel better and get back that confidence that may
have been lost along with their hair.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Yeah, so you'd mentioned like there are a lot of
different things they can experience or needs they might have
while they're in any one of those businesses. How do
they all work together? Like are they all one location
or are they Yes?
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Okay, so all of the businesses are connected, Okay, so
each individualsiness has its own kind of storefront, but we
do have one entrance into meurl Norman, which is our flagship.
So if somebody is coming in for an appointment in
the salon and spa, either directed there and then as well,
(06:15):
on the other side of merl Norman we have Rebecca's Wigs.
It's a private studio, so we do work by appointment
over there. We give everyone kind of the privacy and
individual attention to be able to try things on and
speak with a consultant without having a foot traffic or
people kind of coming and going or browsing or things
like that. So even though someone might come in specifically
(06:40):
to purchase makeup in meurl Norman or for a hair appointment,
it's always top of mind as far as really showcasing
everything that we do and inviting people to experience all
of the different things.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
That we have to offer.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
And I know you're a certified tricologist, but I wasn't
familiar with that word before we started.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
You express what trichology is, sure.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
So I know it sounds like a big fancy title,
but it's really not that complicated. It's not something that
I had to go to school for years to achieve.
It's really just the study of hair loss and being
able to analyze and offer options from a holistic standpoint.
So certainly not a medical doctor or anything like that,
(07:25):
but in just experiencing women who do come in with
hair loss and the journey that they've been on and
things they've tried. Just my personal experience with that, I
feel has given me a lot of insight into what
works what doesn't. And truthfully, there are so many things
that women and men can do to promote scalp health
(07:49):
and hair growth that do not involve any type of
traditional medicine or medical approach. And so really trichology is
just that the study of hair loss and coming up
with solutions for people from a holistic standpoint, so that
before it even gets to the point where medication or
(08:10):
a drastic measure could be needed.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Well, And I think that's interesting because one might think
that you're talking about a medication, but it is holistic
that from what you come tell us a little bit
more about that.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
So, as I said, a lot of ladies have tried
different hair loss medications, and again I'm not a doctor,
so I'm not saying they work, they don't work. But
again in my experience with speaking with women, many have
tried and just has done nothing for them. So, you know,
we really with a trichology consultation, I would sit down
(08:45):
with someone and really explore their diet, the nutrition that
they're getting, their stress level, things like that. Also, how
they're caring for their hair, how they're caring for their scalp,
the vitamins that they take. All of these things can
make a huge different references in promoting hair growth and
really having healthy, strong hair.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
And in addition to being a certified trichology issue, are
also a cranial prosthetic specialist yes, which refers to wigs.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Yes, yes, yes, So tell us.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
A little bit about how did you get a great
deal of understanding about wigs and cranial prosthetics.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
How did that come about?
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Well, the a cranial process as specialist is really someone
who works with people to find the perfect solution for
them as far as alternative hair, leaning more towards a
medical wig, so it is a medical term. A lot
(09:43):
of insurance companies when they hear wig, they think that
that's cosmetic. But ladies who come to see us certainly
are not coming because they just want their hair to
look better for cosmetic reasons.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
They have this true need.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Because of their hair loss, so cranial presses this is
really the medical term for a wig. But having that
license for our establishment allows us to be able to
fit women for a medical wig. We also have an
NPI number, so we are in the National Provider Directory,
which allows them to turn our receipt into an insurance
(10:19):
company and it's a much easier process to get reimbursed
because we do have that distinction of having that great
reputation and the knowledge and capability to really care for
women who are in need of a medical wig.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
How did you get inspired to become involved in tricology
and specialize in hair loss solutions?
Speaker 4 (10:39):
How did that come about?
Speaker 3 (10:40):
It was really just when I acquired these businesses, it
was now something that I planned to do. I've been
an entrepreneur my whole life, as you had said, and
I had kind of semi retired after for about fifteen
years I owned a full service national advertising agency. It
was very successful and sold it about thirteen years ago
(11:03):
and I thought I can't really retire. I'm not old
enough and I want to do something, So I decided
to go in a completely different direction with my career,
and I went to school to become a permanent makeup artist.
I wanted to specialize in paramedical tattooing, which I do.
I still have that license and I work with clients
(11:27):
who I do three D areola tattoos for breast reconstructive
patients and things like that.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
But it was something I.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Started out intending to do part time because it was
a personal interest of mine, and it kind of snowballed
into a lot more than that. I ended up doing
it full time, and when COVID hit the space I
was renting for my business unfortunately had to close. So
I found a new space within Merle Norman that I
rented from the previous owner to continue my permanent makeup business.
(12:00):
And as we became acquainted and got to know each other,
she realized pretty quickly that I had a strong business
background and advertising marketing background, and so we bonded over that,
and it was about two years after that that she
approached me and said, you know, I'm I've had this
Moral Norman store for twenty five years, the salon in
(12:22):
spot I'm in Rebecca's, and I'm kind of ready to retire.
Would you consider purchasing the businesses, and I said no
about five times. I really wasn't interested. I went home
and told my husband, you know, I don't know if
I want to. I'm at the point in my life now.
You know, I'm fifty eight years old. Back then I was,
(12:44):
I think fifty six. But I said, I'm I don't
know if I want to take it to the limit
one more time, or if I just want to take
a nap. And he said, well, I know you're not
taking any naps. So I took the plunge and I
purchased the businesses. And one of the reasons that I
decided to do that was because of the impact I
(13:05):
could see Rebecca'swiggs was having on the community of women
experiencing hair loss. And I saw so much potential with
developing and growing the salon and Spot to really specialize
in SPOT treatments that focus on that, as well as
educating our stylists on scalp health and hair health to
(13:26):
be able to really take it to another level and
bring those together in that synergy that we've been talking about.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Yeah, I would think it's pretty meaningful to help somebody
get through losing their hair.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
It really is.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
And you know, one of the many benefits of being
in this environment for myself as well as my entire staff,
is that you know, every day, at least once or
twice a day, someone just hugs us and cries and
tells us that, you know, we've changed their life. And
what more did you ask for then, to be able
(14:03):
to experience that in what you do every day?
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (14:05):
That is the truth. You mentioned your spa services. Let's
talk about the Japanese headspot that that you have.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
What is it? Why is it gaining so much fuzz?
Speaker 3 (14:15):
So the Japanese head spot is something that again was
kind of on my radar when I was approached about
taking over the businesses and I researched it extensively.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
It was really.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Not something people had heard of at that time, but
I knew that based on the research I did, it
was something that could really make a difference and be
a big part of the protocol that we have for
helping people with their hair loss. And it's basically a
ninety minute spa treatment. It's the most luxurious spat treatment
you'll ever experience.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
It's better than a.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Massage, it's better than a facial It's kind of the
best of everything, but it involves actually scoping somebody's head
before we start. So we do have a like almost
a scanner. It looks like an ultrasule machine that we
can take up pictures of someone's scalp and see the
condition of the scalp of the hair follicles. I know
(15:12):
from my training and trichology that if the follicles are
alive but just not growing, you can still grow your hair.
There's a reason why it's not And when hair loss
is not medically related, if it's not specifically because of
chemotherapy or alopecia or another medical condition, ninety five percent
(15:35):
of the time it's because of lack of blood flow
through the scalp or inflammation, which are both to phrases
that also have been getting a lot more buzz in
recent years.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
But they both of those things do affect hair growth.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
So with the Japanese headspot, we kind of show people
what's going on with their scalp, but then you know
they're on a treatment table for the duration of the
spot treatment, and it involves really exfoliating the scalp, detaxifying
the scalp, adding you know, great serums and treatments they're
(16:10):
packed with nutrients and vitamins you know, specific to scalp
health and hair health. But the best part of it
is that it's really ninety minutes of stimulation as well.
So the massaging you know, who doesn't love having their
hair played with or their head massage. Yeah, and the
massage the scalp to promote that blood flow, massage the neck,
(16:34):
the shoulders, we might do a little facial treatment. So again,
it's just a super luxurious, relaxing spot treatment. A lot
of people come for it and have none that have nothing,
no hair loss whatsoever. But it is just a wonderful
treatment and with the benefit and the bonus that it
does actually balance the pH of your scalp and promote.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Hair growth, sounds like a great gift rate gift. Absolutely,
I hope I get that for Christmas.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
Absolutely So.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Clients who experience hair loss, like, how do you guide
them through choosing a wig, a top or or hair system.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
What is the process for that.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
So we work by appointment in Rebecca's Wigs and we
schedule appointments for someone to come in for one hour consultation.
All of our weight consultants are very educated, very experienced,
and very extremely knowledgeable about what's available, as it was saying,
(17:37):
not everyone needs a medical wig, but that's certainly available
as well as really any other type of wig. But
our consultant will spend anywhere from forty five minutes to
an hour asking questions, getting to know that person, giving
them the opportunity to ask any and all questions that
they might have about all of the different possibilities when
(17:59):
it to wigs and tappers, and so it's just a
way to really work one on one with them, and
that's how we come to a conclusion as far as
what is the best decision for them. And almost everyone
that comes in does end up leaving, if not that
day with something, you know, because we do of course
(18:21):
special orders and things like that. But we're very successful
in really matching the person with what's going to be
best for them and making sure that they really feel
comfortable with what they're wearing and more importantly, good about
how they look. Seeing that confidence boost is everything.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
What are the differences between a medical wig like fitting
and traditional wig sails anything?
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Is there a difference at all or not?
Speaker 3 (18:49):
A true medical wig is actually made of a pharmaceutical
grade silicone and does have to be specially fit and
especially ordered. So that's the most I don't want to
say complicated, but that process would take the most steps
as far as getting someone fitted and.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Ordering that it's more sophisticated. It's a lot more sophisticated.
The reality is, though a lot.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
Of people come in thinking that they need a medical
wig or something that's branded as a medical wig. But
all of our wigs are very high quality. They're made
of very high quality materials. The lace and the material
that is used to make wigs is hypoallergenic. It's breathable,
(19:34):
so if someone is going through chemotherapy, or they have
female pattern baldness or something that's maybe not quite as
severe as scalp infections or certain types of alopecia, they
can flare up. They don't necessarily need that strictly medical wig.
All of our wigs are considered cranial process for the
(19:56):
sake of insurance and things like that, really showing them
the different options, because of course there are different price
points as well. So the most expensive wig would be
a true one hundred percent medical wig, but we have
a lot of options other than that for people to
consider that can be just as beautiful and wonderful.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
For them, Yeah, depending on their needs.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Exactly why is it important do you think in your
experience to have access for beauty and wellness services while
when a person's going through medical or emotional challenges. Why
is the fact that you provide all of those together important?
Speaker 4 (20:35):
What have you seen that it does for the woman?
Speaker 3 (20:38):
The transformation that occurs in someone in not only how
they project themselves or how they feel about themselves, but
how they look when we're able to help them. The
way we do is fascinating. And so many women come
in and they are shrinking. Literally, you can almost see
them just shrinking internally because of what they're going through.
(21:01):
Everyone knows someone who has experienced cancer gone through chemotherapy,
and the process takes so much out of you, not
just physically, but you know, mentally and emotionally as well.
It's a big deal to be able to help someone
get that confidence back and get that feeling of wellness
and kind of well being back, because you know, cancer
(21:24):
as well as other conditions that make you lose your hair,
can really strip someone of that and it's not necessary.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
There are things that.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
We can do to help alleviate those symptoms and to
make somebody feel better about themselves, and almost always it's
a huge transformation, and it shows in every aspect of
what they do. They project themselves so much more confidently
and are just so much happier because of how they look,
but also because of how they feel.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
If you're just joining us, our guest today is Melissa Young.
She's the owner of the Bella Group in Farming in Hills.
Your slan, your spaw and your wig services. They support
each other with what you just said to create that
kind of transformation for the client. Do you have like
a favorite success story you've seen happen or something that
really touched your heart when you helped somebody in a
(22:18):
variety of ways through your different organizations.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
It would be so hard to pick just one. But
as I mentioned earlier, a day doesn't go by when
someone doesn't want to just give us a big hug
before they leave and tell us how wonderful they feel
and how life changing the whole experience has been for them.
I've seen hundreds, if not thousands, of women go through
(22:45):
this process and go through this transformation, and what it
does for their quality of life is just unexplainable. And
that's what keeps me driven every single day to go
in and keep doing this and to keep building and
growing and educate. You know, my staff they're wonderful, you know,
and they're all very skilled at educating our clients and
(23:09):
being there for them and in whatever way that we can.
And I like to remind them that people who come
to see us, it's unfortunately almost all of them are
going through what is probably one of the worst times
in their life. It's worth repeating, you know often as
I do, that we have to be immune to any
type of negativity because if someone walks through our door,
(23:33):
this has to be a haven. It has to be
a place of respite where they can feel not only welcome,
but also loved. And so that's our goal and that's
what we strive to be and do every single day.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Yeah, you'd said, you know, sometimes when they when a
person comes in, you can actually see the physical shrinking
that's happened, like inside of them, and I can't even
imagine like witnessing that and just wanting to rebuild the
self value that feel from, you know, feeling like they
look good or feeling like they feel good. You know,
all those things fit together to really empower a person.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Yes, and hair is such a huge part of our identity.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
It really is. It is, and it really.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Disappoints me sometimes when I hear people say, which happens
often unfortunately, they'll say, well, my my hairdresser said, my
hair's just really thin, but it's not really you know,
I'm not really bald, so I could kind of just
deal with it. Or they'll say my husband said that
it's superficial, I shouldn't worry about my hair. And my
response is typically, you know, if you lost your teeth,
(24:38):
you'd replace It's so funny. I was just gonna say,
it's like if you lost your teeth, and then you said,
if you lost your teeth, right, it's the same.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
It's like, if you lost your teeth, right, yeah, you'd
replace them. Yeah, So why would you not replace your hair?
You know, and especially if someone's head a full head
of hair, you know, a long, thick mane their whole lives,
that really becomes who they are. It's part of the personality,
it's part of what they project and being able to
give that back to someone is a really special thing. Gosh, Farmington, Farmington,
(25:08):
we tend to have seemed to support Farmington and Farmington
Hills quite a bit for a wide variety of reasons
they had. We used to be in Farmington Hills and
the Farmington community is Farmington Hills, Farmington Community. Both those
areas are just lovely areas. What is it about Farmington
for you that you love being in Farmington?
Speaker 3 (25:28):
Downtown Farmington, it has a little bit of everything. It's
got Charlie vibe. It's got such a vibe. And interestingly,
I grew up in Northwest Detroit. My parents moved to
Farmington before I was going into high school, so I
lived in Farmington while I attended high school, and then
during college I went to Wayne State, so I lived
at home and then I moved away.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
And it was not.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Until very recently that with putting my small business there,
that I was reacquainted with Farmington. And it is just
and transformed into such a wonderful community. As we were saying,
you know the charm. But our location is right downtown,
so it has foot traffic and there's just a strong
(26:12):
sense of community. We like to be very involved as
involved as we can. We are big supporters of the
Greater Farming Scenaria Chamber of Commerce. In fact, Rebecca's Wiggs
was just nominated by the Chamber as Small Business.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
Of the Year. No congratulations, so we were one of
the nominees. So there's just so much going on and
it is such a caring community and I feel it's
a great location and just ideal to support us, and
so we try to get back as much as we
can as well.
Speaker 4 (26:44):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
And what's one piece of advice you'd give to someone
struggling with hair loss or self image issues?
Speaker 3 (26:50):
The advice that I like to give people is that
you are not your hair. But everyone deserves to feel confident.
People should not suffer in silence. There are so many
options and you don't have to navigate them alone. We're
here and so many times I hear someone say that,
you know, they were even intimidated or didn't want to
(27:10):
come in because they didn't know how they would be
perceived with no hair. And you know, my answer is
very simple. That is why we are here. We are
happy to help. We are happy to guide you with
decision making or anything that you need. Really, because hair
is a very important thing and there is absolutely no
(27:33):
shame in not having hair. But there's also absolutely no
shame in rocking a wonderful wig or tapper that makes
you look and feel fabulous.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
I love that and you should rock it absolutely right.
If somebody heard this and they're like, hey, I need
to know more, where would they find out more information
about you?
Speaker 3 (27:52):
So we do have a website for each individual business,
but all three do have information that crosses over. Rebecca's
Wigs is just Rebecca's Dash Wigs dot com, Biju Solon and.
Speaker 4 (28:08):
Spa is BISU.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
That's b i j Ou Dash Salon, SPA, s A
l O n s p a dot com. And then
of course Merle Norman, which is Merle Norman Dash Farmington
dot com.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
What's your favorite thing about what you do?
Speaker 3 (28:25):
It has to be just showing up every day and
getting to be around so many special people. My staff,
of course, we all love what we do and we
all love feeding off of each other and really working
together to achieve that synergy. But the clients that come
in every day and seeing the transformation of how they appear,
(28:47):
how they act, and just the insecurities and taking that
and turning it into somebody who is much more knowledgeable,
much more educated, and much more confident about themselves. Without question,
that is the best part of what we do. This
is Melissa Youngs who's been our guest. She's the owner
of the Bella Group.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
Thank you for joining us, Melissa, thank you so much
for having me. I have really enjoyed it me too.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
This has been light up the d A community, a
fairs program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would like
to get on the program, email Colleen Grant at iHeartMedia
dot com. Here are all episodes on this station's podcast page.
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Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com