Misty Smith first opened the doors of her salon to solve a hair problem in Walker County. Through many trials and successes, her business—and faith—are stronger than ever.

Back in the 1980s, Misty had a problem. None of the local hairdressers knew what to do with her curls.

“All they knew was bone-straight, Brady Bunch hair,” Misty laughs.

But then, something changed. The love ballad, arena rock era gave way to the edgier “hair band era” of the early 1990s and local girls who were gaga with these rockers started gelling their hair and wearing it huge. Yearbooks were now chock-full of frizzy-headed girls who not only embraced it but owned it.

As it turns out, the frustration of having to care for her natural curls was the driving force for Misty going into the hair industry. Simply put, she wanted girls with curly hair to look and feel beautiful.

Born in Hollywood, Florida, Misty moved around with her parents several times for her father’s job. Finally, they settled in her parents’ hometown of Boldo, where her father started G Pearson Construction. Misty attended Walker High School and took co-op classes which allowed her to graduate high school and cosmetology school.

Misty officially began her professional styling career and worked in the industry until 2008 when she opened Crazy Beautiful Salon. Through support from her husband and children and encouragement from her dad, Misty finally had the confidence she needed to make her dream a reality.

Starting a business was not an easy feat. Misty went into business ownership somewhat blindly, using the wisdom and experience she gained while working in other salons.

"It was trial and error,” she says. “I don't know if you can get your entire act together immediately."

In the 14 years since Crazy Beautiful opened, Misty has learned a thing or two about ownership within the cosmetology industry. Her best advice to anyone looking to start a business is to start small, even with a big dream. Starting small can ensure an independently successful business before the owner stretches out to add more employees.

Misty also says that when playing the owner role, her focus is to maintain a healthy relationship with each person she hires. “It’s challenging at times, balancing being a friend and being a boss,” she says.

In the modern world where anyone can have the hair of their dreams, Misty’s salon offers a wide variety of services, including haircuts, color services, shampoo and styling services, hair extensions, natural haircare, and even special occasion hair and makeup. Misty specializes in naturally curly hair and hair coloring services.

Hair, Misty says, can be challenging to manage and style, but she loves to inform clients of the intricacies of haircare while working her magic. "You can have any hair you want. I'm glad that nobody has to be unhappy with it," she says.

One of the most challenging seasons for Misty’s business was during the Covid pandemic, when Misty saw a brief paradigm shift after her business was forced to shut down. Even though she could continue helping some of her clients, things were not easy. By staying in touch with her accountant, Joe Downs, by applying for small business grants, and asking for help from the Lord, Misty somehow kept her business afloat.

"You don't know you have faith until it's tested, so I think Covid was a great reality check for me on what's truly important,” Misty says.

Today, Crazy Beautiful is still going strong and continuing to offer services to the Walker County community. Misty remains thankful because she recognizes the source who sustained her. 78