Kiski Area alumna opens all-inclusive salon in Allegheny Township
A Kiski Area alumna has opened a business right across the street from where she once attended high school.
Cassandra “Casey Lynn” Walsh of Vandergrift recently opened her own full-service salon, Casey Lynn: Style for all, in Allegheny Township, a stone’s throw from Kiski Area High School.
“I originally wanted to pursue nursing because I love people and making them feel better. But I realized I don’t have the stomach for it — shout out to all of the amazing health care workers out there,” Walsh said.
She opened her salon about a month ago at 181 Hyde Park Road.
“I’ve gained a lot of great experience working for other salon owners in the area and have really appreciated the opportunities. I always knew if I could run things my way, I’d be better off. Once you’re at the point in your career that you don’t need a guided hand to meet your clients’ needs, it only makes sense to do it for yourself,” Walsh said.
The new business occupies what was a longtime empty storefront.
Local businessman Keith Fetterman bought 181 and 183 Hyde Park Road earlier this year, with a goal of filling the two storefronts with what he described as “family-friendly” businesses.
“This is working out excellent,” Fetterman said of his new tenant.
Walsh, 33, of Vandergrift signed a one-year lease on the building and spent almost four months transforming the space, formerly a barber shop, into an airy, fun and comfortable space.
A child-sized teepee is the focal point of the waiting area.
Promoting an all-inclusive concept, Walsh is on a “mane” mission to help anyone with natural hair.
“To me, that means I can help most anyone with natural hair who wants to book an appointment, regardless of age, gender or hair type. It’s important in my daily life that everyone feel equally welcome, so that had to be integral to my business,” Walsh said.
Price ranges from $20 to $300, depending on the services performed and time involved.
Services include “locally famous cuts,” color, styling for all hair types and textures — with a specialty in braiding, manicures, pedicures, facial waxing and ear piercing.
Walsh grew up in Parks Township and graduated from Kiski Area in 2007.
She graduated with an associate degree in business from the Community College of Allegheny County and earned her cosmetology license at Empire Beauty School in Monroeville.
Her resume includes a stint apprenticing under NYC celebrity stylist Gregory Alan, where Walsh assisted on a photo shoot for Cosmopolitan Magazine and served as lead assistant for three days during New York Fashion Week.
A stylist for more than 13 years, Walsh previously worked out of a windowless work space in Vandergrift but had a goal of opening up her own salon.
“It’s a career where I have such a wonderful relationship with all of my dear clients, and I get to flex my creative muscles in new ways every day,” Walsh said.
Her personal mantra is “keep growing and glowing,” and the new salon features expansive windows that allow for plenty of natural light.
Walsh’s sister, Chelsea Lookhart, works at the salon, handling administrative and technical duties.
“It’s a one-stop shop for families to look and feel great, with an inviting atmosphere and central location. And it’s a local, woman-owned business,” Lookhart said.
Walsh’s other sister, Leslie Walsh, praised her unique salon skills, including braiding.
“She’s been called a color guru because she really understands the science and art behind it and has consistently taken many clients from tears to smiles in fixing bad color jobs and haircuts,” Leslie Walsh said.
Walsh said many of her clients expressed a need for braiding.
“I’m passionate about providing excellent services to all clients,” Walsh said. “I began braiding years ago and love the intricacy of it. I especially love braiding my son’s hair and seeing how happy and confident he is when he looks in the mirror.”
For Walsh, establishing her business close to home was a priority.
Most of her clients hail from the Vandergrift area.
“I couldn’t be happier to be a part of and contributor to the local economy as a small, woman-owned business in this beautiful area,” Walsh said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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