Judi McKarnin: not your everyday hair stylist

"I had a knack for hair styling. In fact, for the senior prom I did my hair and the hair of five friends." Judi McKarnin, owner of Styles Unlimited at Grandview Plaza, reminisces. When her plan for college didn't work out as she had hoped, after graduation from Ruskin High School she entered beauty school.
"I graduated on my 18th birthday." Immediately Judi landed a job at a little salon called on Grandview Road. 47 years later, with hardly a break, Judi is still making people feel good with her marvelous talent which is much more than a knack.
Eventually she ended up at a shop in the brand new Grandview Plaza. Next door to the salon was a barber shop. She became good friends with a barber there, who she used to take breaks with at a little ice cream shop also in the plaza. When he finally asked her for a date, she told her friends that "the kid in the barber shop" had asked her out. As a 1968 graduate of Raytown South High School, Steve was younger than Judi. The two friends were married in 1975.
She made an offer to buy the shop she worked in and in April 1977 she was a salon owner.
Eighteen months later the State laws changed, making it legal for people with barber licenses to work in the same establishment with those with stylist licenses. Steve joined her. He brought many of his clients, even those who said they wouldn’t set foot in a beauty salon. In fact, some of them are still clients after all these years, fitting in just like family and bringing in coffee and donuts as treats.
Unfortunately, Steve had health issues that led to problems like severe arthritis. Then he was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. After treatments, it went into remission. But the arthritis got worse, and he retired three years ago .
The McKarnins bought their dream home in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Steve moved into the new house. Judi commuted to her shop, staying in Grandview three days a week. In September 2008 Steve suddenly got very ill. On January 1, 2009, he was diagnosed with cancer and on March 10, he breathed his last earthly breath.
It was understandably a hard blow for Judi. She was not sure she could return.
Finally, the pull of the place and the people won. Plain and simple, she missed everyone. Their stylists were as much family as any real family. In fact, during the last four months while Judi cared for Steve, they pitched in and ran the shop like it was their own. She returned to what she loves. And to what is truly a ministry to the community.
"When I bring someone in for the very first time, I sit them down in front of the mirror and begin to get a clear picture. I can visualize what would look best on them. Whether it's an eyebrow arch, getting rid of that center part, or a soft perm for body. I explain and say, 'this is what I perceive looking good on you.' When they are pleased at the end, and look in the mirror and smile and you know they feel good, I like it. I've always been a people person. I enjoy getting to really know people.
"I've had some customers for over 40 years. I've watched them raise their children and had grandkids," Judi continues. "All of us here get involved in each other's families." As much as Judi emphasizes professionalism from her stylists, she also pushes relationship. It's like a home away from home for many.
Judi's stylists have been with her for many years but they are not 'old school.'. Quite the opposite. Judi insists that her stylists constantly continue with advanced training in their field.
"I have utilized everything I've ever learned. I tell my stylists that I have never gone to a class where I haven't made money from something I learned there."
Judi's two daughters both graduated from Grandview High school and went to University of Missouri. They're married and have given Steve and Judi four beautiful grandchildren.
"Live life to the fullest. Live in the present. Live for today. You don't know what's ahead of you.
"I've had a good life. I don't look back. My motto is, What is - is." That speaks volumes from a woman who has known the peaks and valleys of life so well.
You can meet this talented group of stylists Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am. It may be a meeting that will change your entire life for the better, not just your hair or nails.