Fusion of new ownership with edgy style

November 12th, 2007 at 03:32pm Deborah Austin

The former Fuzion Studios beauty salon in downtown Rockford has changed names and owners, but its former owners still are working there as stylists.  Jennifer Kiesling, owner of J. Kiesling Hair Studio Inc. at Brynwood Square in Rockford, bought Fuzion from owners Alison and Brent Behler.  She opened it as J. Kiesling Hair Studio At Fuzion, on Sept. 1.

Kiesling said she had been looking to open a second, larger location when she heard through the grapevine that the Behlers were looking to sell. The East State salon, at 4,000 square feet, had six stylist chairs and Kiesling brought in six more. All the people originally working there have stayed, she said, including the Behlers. The larger salon also offers spray tanning, and will have a makeup artist doing makeup for models, theatrical events and other needs — in the shop or on location. Both the downtown shop and the 733-square-foot Brynwood shop offer wigs, and at the Brynwood shop, customers can donate hair for children’s wigs through the “Locks of Love” program. The downtown store has an “edgy, younger, downtown” reputation which she intends to keep, said Kiesling.  The Brynwood store, at 2577 N. Mulford Road, caters to more traditional tastes.

Kiesling is financing her business expansion with help from Rockford Local Development, 120 W. State St., Rockford — a private, not-for-profit economic development organization that provides gap financing for small businesses.

You’ll find Kiesling working at the Brynwood store on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays she’s at the East State store.  “On Sunday,” she said, “I clean.”

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