Contributing writer
Robert Eubanks/Staff Photographer
Robert Eubanks/Staff Photographer
On a recent day on Georgia Avenue, a woman with bright blonde hair and electrifying orange nails stands in front of a big, white sign reading, 'Wanda's Hair Salon & Barbershop.' She waves to her close friends and in response they say, 'Hey Ms. Wanda!'
Wanda Henderson an African-American woman and seasoned entrepreneur, has been in the hair industry for 33 years. She has owned her own hair salon and barbershop for 16 years. 'They call me the little mayor of D.C.,' Henderson giggles. Henderson has lived in the city of Washington, D.C. all her life, which has made her well known around the city. However, not only do people know her from being a familiar face around D.C., but from being an owner of several salon and barbershops. Before her current location, Henderson owned a previous hair salon and barbershops on 12th and U Streets, NW, to now being located on Georgia Ave., NW. Henderson's current hair salon and barbershop is located near Howard University's campus at 2624 Georgia Ave., NW. The building is a small row house building that is filled with talent. With blow dryers heated, flat irons sizzling and clippers buzzing, Wanda's Hair Salon & Barbershop creates excellence every day. 'This place is in a perfect location because I get all the students from across the street,' said Henderson. Like she predicted, her establishment has become students' favorite to go to for a quick do or to get a new look right before special events, including homecoming festivities. Trudy Lindsay, a senior at Howard University, has been going to Wanda's since freshman year. 'Whenever I have something important going on, I go to Ms. Wanda's because Ms. Wanda's will leave you looking right. They take their time and they make sure that you get what you pay for.' Wanda's Hair Salon & Barbershop remains open because Henderson knows how to market her business to keep a steady income. Her employees create an environment that is comfortable, allowing them keep faithful clients since 1997. 'I have been a customer of Wanda's for 10 years. The environment of the salon is always friendly, relaxed, and professional,' said Daryl Coles Jr. Upon entering the shop, customers are surrounded by a group of all young African-American gifted staff. The staff interacts as family, teasing one another and gossiping about the latest news that allows clients to feel at home. 'I love working for Wanda; she's a cool lady,' said barber Will Koehn. Still, Henderson has bigger plans for her hair shop and doesn't want to keep her talents in one spot. Henderson has been working tirelessly the last year to open her new salon, Wanda's Hair Studio and Spa that will give customers a full beauty treatment experience. Her new shop is located near the Shaw-Howard metro stop located at 1851 7th St., NW. 'Being close to the Shaw-Howard metro station and Howard Theatre, I hope to catch a lot of the crowd that walks by,' says Henderson. Wanda's Hair Studio and Spa will include 13 hair stations, nail design, a makeup bar, and one VIP room for celebrities to get their beauty treatment in peace. Henderson is looking to open her new salon in January.
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