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In January, Purificato took the plunge and opened Salon 107 at 427 Stillson Road in Fairfield. Her salon is part of My Salon Suite, which has 27 health and beauty professionals all under one roof. Purificato leases a corner suite and is enjoying the new challenge of running a business in addition to her role as a stylist and colorist.
“At a certain point, you get to a place where you want to try new things and take a new challenge,’’ she said. “I loved what I was doing. It helped make me the stylist I am today. But I just felt it was time for something new, to take a new direction.”
Purificato is a graduate of the National Academy of Bridgeport cosmetology school, and has traveled to Europe and the West Coast to learn new skills. She started as an assistant at Hair on South Pine Creek Road in Fairfield and stayed there for 26 years.
But when she learned that My Salon Suite was leasing space, Purficato felt compelled to seek a new opportunity. She had to acquire a new range of skills – marketing, accounting, management – but was excited to learn.
“I’m proud of myself that I took that step,’’ Purificato said. “I knew there would be some things I have to learn. But I felt like it was the right time and this was the right place.”
One of the advantages of leasing space at My Salon Suite is having other talented artists in the same building. It’s designed to be one-stop shopping for a range of beauty services, such as nails, massage, makeup artists, tanning and more. The suite owners can manage and create their own space without significant overhead costs. Some suites are still available in Fairfield.
“One of the things that appealed to me is that it is a new concept,’’ Purificato said. “I’m enjoying that. It’s nice to work with a group that has a wide range of services.”
It also helped Purificato to stay in Fairfield, and many of her customers followed her to Salon 107.
“When I was in the other place, I couldn’t really devote individual attention to the customers the way I would have liked,’’ she said. “I’m able to give them a little bit more attention here, a little more personal service.”
Purificato offers men’s and women’s haircuts, keratin treatments, conditioning, coloring, highlights and styling. People can email Purificato at carole@salon107ct.com or reach her at 203-880-9558 for appointments. Beauty technicians can learn more about leasing suites at My Salon Suite by visiting Fairfield.mysalonsuite.com.
“It’s been a big change, but I like what I’m doing,’’ Purificato said. “I just needed a change and thought this was a good time to do it. I think it’s going to work out pretty well.”
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