NorthFultonTimes

Downtown Alpharetta has a new neighbor, and it’s making fast waves; hair waves that is. Mane Attraction Hair Salon and Barber Shop, is one of the new businesses to make Alpharetta its home. Nestled in the little strip near city hall and down the street from Old Milton High School, Mane Attraction owns prime real estate in the thick of historic downtown Alpharetta.

Established by Firstborn Simmons, Desiree Appling and Kevin Hill, the owners of Mane Attraction share a passion for hair, though their backgrounds extend far beyond the shop.

Simmons has a foot deep rooted in music. Born in Cincinnati, Firstborn boasts an extensive resume, working with major music labels and talent on the east and west coasts as well as being a barber for over fifteen years. He promoted for Uptown Records in New York for three years during The Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige era; then switched coasts to conduct A&R for Priority Records in California where he headed all projects with the West Side Connection. Now in Georgia, Firstborn is an audio engineer, and oversees live broadcast at various entertainment venues in Atlanta.

Appling has been practicing cosmetology for over ten years and has her own business, Hair Addiction LLC., which she started a year ago. Born in Brooklyn, Appling studied business administration at S.U.N.Y in Fredonia, N.Y and worked in the Midwest for a brief stint before making Georgia her home in 2006. Prior to becoming part owner of Mane Attraction, Appling worked at various salons in Alpharetta to research and test the cosmetology market. She also manages blogs on wordpress.com and blogspot.com that inform as well as instruct on proper hair care maintenance and common hair misconceptions.
Hill, originally from Bridgeport, Conn., inherited the talent to be a barber from his grand and great-grand father, who both owned shops. Though he has been a barber for over ten years, Hill also has a background in entertainment. He began to make a name for himself while promoting during the 2003 NBA all-star weekend for Club Chaos. Hill continued by throwing high school and college parties for a few years, then in 2006, he established Divergent Entertainment, a promotions and marketing company. Hill’s company, which focuses mostly on the north side of Georgia, can be linked to venues such as Roberto’s World Tapas & Bar, The Grape, Monterrey’s, and Aqua Blue.

Though linked to a slew of outside industries, and slightly dissimilar backgrounds, the union of the three owners makes perfect sense. All the wisdom, experience and combination of previous and past business ventures intertwine with each other. This is not your typical shop.
The shop boasts a huge glass entry way so clients are greeted by everyone upon arrival, and features eight stations split between the barbers and stylists. Earth toned furniture and swank lighting grace marble tiled flooring for an upscale yet chic look that only add to the elegance and class of Alpharetta’s new gem on Milton Avenue.

At Mane Attraction, there is a wealth of knowledge, but there is also a love for the craft of styling and cutting. Hair procedures are explained to customers and not just performed. Mini profiles are kept on each client, as well as mailing and phone lists.  Here, you are not just an appointment at 2 p.m. You’re a client and prospective association; the glue that holds the foundation together; a walking advertisement.

Located at 41 Milton Avenue, Suite 204, Mane Attraction is a force to be reckoned with. Where most salons or barber shops cater to a specific age or ethnicity, Mane Attraction raises the bar, and offers a range of services for everyone. Versatility is what sets Mane Attraction apart and affiliations outside of the shop in entertainment, fashion, music, and nightlife make this a great place for networking and business opportunities. Not to mention a fresh shape up or relaxer.

Tags: hair, salon