For Kelly Bishop, becoming a salon owner was always part of the plan. From the time she began working as a stylist, she dreamed of one day creating a salon of her own—a place where talented stylists could do what they love while having the support and benefits of a great workplace.

That vision became a reality with Bishop & Co., which celebrated its 10th anniversary this past February.

Kelly grew up as an only child in Westlake and graduated from Westlake High School in 1995. She went on to attend the Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she graduated first in her class in 1999. Her passion for the beauty industry has remained strong ever since.

Along the way, Kelly met her husband, Bill, in 2004. Bill came with three children, and the couple married in 2008. Today, they live in Avon Lake with their three-year-old flat-coat retriever, Reggie.

At Bishop & Co., Kelly's goal has always been about more than providing beautiful hair. Her mission is to give every guest an exceptional salon experience through outstanding technical work, genuine hospitality, continued education, and meaningful relationships.

The salon offers a full range of services for both women and men, including haircuts, a variety of color techniques, keratin smoothing treatments, and waxing.

The salon has also been a Eufora partner salon for the past seven years, a relationship Kelly says has had a significant impact on both her business and her approach to hair care. She credits Eufora with completely changing the way Bishop & Co. approaches professional hair care and education.

What truly sets Bishop & Co. apart, however, is the way Kelly treats the people behind the business. While benefits such as paid vacation and 401(k) plans aren't always common in the salon industry, Kelly makes them a priority for her employees. That commitment has helped her build a team of stylists who have stayed with her for years.

"I appreciate them, and they appreciate me," Kelly says.

That loyalty extends to the salon's clients, too. Over the years, many have become much more than customers. They have become friends, familiar faces, and, as Kelly puts it, family.

"We are so blessed to have such amazing clients," she says.

Like many small businesses, Bishop & Co. faced one of its greatest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. When salons were forced to close, Kelly wasn't sure when they would be able to reopen—or what the future would look like when they did.

There were questions about whether clients would return and whether the business could survive the uncertainty.

The answer came quickly.

"Nobody was going to let Bishop & Co. close," Kelly says. "Especially me."

The support of her clients and team helped the salon weather the difficult period and come out stronger on the other side.

Giving back to the community is another important part of Kelly's business philosophy. Around the holidays, Bishop & Co. makes an effort to support local charities, including Friendship APL in Elyria. The salon has also supported Childhelp, a nonprofit organization founded with support from Eufora Haircare.

Now, after 10 years of building Bishop & Co., Kelly is ready to pursue another longtime dream.

Coming in spring 2027, Kelly plans to open MOOD Lifestyle Boutique in Avon. The new shop will bring together her love of fashion, home goods, and unique gifts in one place. It's a project she's been dreaming about for years, and she's excited to create another business that she believes the local community will enjoy.

For Kelly, the next chapter is about continuing to grow while staying true to the philosophy that has guided her from the beginning: make people feel good.

Her advice to others is simple but powerful.

"Only you have the power to make your dreams come true," Kelly says. "Follow your heart and do what makes YOU happy. Life is short. Open the boutique, take the vacation, enjoy your life!"

For Kelly, success isn't simply measured by the number of years a business has been open. It's measured by the relationships built along the way, the stylists who have grown alongside her, the clients who continue to walk through the door, and the courage to keep pursuing new dreams.