BUSINESS: Woodward enjoys her job as hair stylist in Dugger

By Jill R. Wilkes Anita Woodward has been a hair stylist for many years, and she currently owns her own business in Dugger. She said she enjoys working with her customers, including Esther Hannum (right). [Order this photo]

DUGGER -- Anita Woodward has been cutting and styling hair in Dugger for many years and she appreciates the community support and friendships she has built over the years.

"I moved to Dugger in fourth grade, and my husband, Allan, and I both graduated from Union-Dugger High School. I started attending beauty school in Linton in October after I graduated from high school. It was a good, family owned beauty school and I spent nine months there. I then worked a six-month apprenticeship at Teddi's in Jasonville. It was the hottest place to go for hair styling at the time and I really felt like it was the best place to learn the business and build a client-base," Woodward explained.

"When you get into a business like this it takes time to establish a client base large enough to support yourself. I began working with Cindy Lucas in a beauty shop located over the Dugger Post Office. I then got a full-time job at Farmer's State Bank in Dugger. It was owned by Dr. Joe (Dukes) at the time. I worked at the bank in the days and cut hair at night for six years.

"My next step was working for Brenda Trusty, with six of us in a small building in Dugger. I worked with her for 13 years and she really helped me build up my business. We then opened Scissors in a larger building in downtown Dugger, but the owners wanted to sell and none of us were willing to take on that large of a building and project. My husband then said it was time to do something on my own. I did not really want something at my home. I really wanted to keep my professional life and personal life separate. The small building on the highway that I am now in came open at the right time and this has just worked out great.

Woodward has been at her current site, Anita's Cuts and Styles, for eight years in August.

"I have a good client base from Dugger, as well as Linton, Jasonville, Terre Haute and Bloomfield. I feel it is important for the people of Dugger to have access to businesses and services such as a hair salon," Woodward said. "A lot has happened to business in Dugger and the community needs to have places to go locally. I have a great deal of local clients who come weekly and it is very convenient for them if I am here every week. They are a great security to my business too and I appreciate them.

"Building a business is very difficult in this day and age. It takes time to build a business and even though I still have clients who have followed me from my days at the Linton beauty school it is something you always have to work on. I encourage anyone to go to college and get an education. It is important to get an education in what you love to do. Everyone needs an education and training in what they want to do to become successful. It takes so much these days to succeed in business and make ends meet. I am appreciative to my clients through the years and love that I have been able to remain locally in Dugger and continue to build and keep my business going in the profession I enjoy."

Anita and her husband Allan currently reside in Linton with their daughter, Allison. Anita's Cut and Styles is located on State Road 54 in Dugger. You can contact Anita's at 648-3424.