Female Influencers Spring 2018: Mary Hauer

Mary Hauer, owner of Artistic Edge Salon, says her mission is simply to keep the charm of a small-town family shop alive in Kennett. She loves the neighborhood vibe and does everything she can to help clients feel that the salon is a home away from home, a place where they’re cared for and experience a sense of belonging. Hauer wants “everyone who walks through my doors to feel like we’ve known each other for years.”

Hauer, who feels very blessed to have had the opportunity to start her own business when she was just 22 years old, has deep roots in the Kennett area. Her family owns Basciani Mushroom Farms, which has been part of the community for over 90 years. She’s passionate about helping clients achieve their desired look, and she cherishes their smiles and their trust. She’s also passionate about being mindful of the environment. Although being green requires extra time and effort, Artistic Edge officially became a Green Circle Salon this year. There’s a huge amount of waste in salons, Hauer says, and she wants to do her part to take care of the earth for future generations.

As the mother of three young daughters, Hauer says she feels empowered to see all the female-owned businesses in historic downtown Kennett Square. She understands the hard work, time, and sacrifice that’s required to run a small business. “We’ve all taken risks to get here,” she says. “It’s only failure if you didn’t try.” If she could give words of advice to her younger self, she says, she’d tell her to keep it simple, not to overthink everything, to savor the little victories, and to have fun.

Despite her entrepreneurial success, Hauer says she hopes her legacy is more about her role as a mother, wife, and daughter. “I chose this job to make people feel beautiful on the inside,” she says, “the outside is a bonus.”