Kristi Hager’s first year as an entrepreneur was a successful one.

Since opening her business, Celestial Beauty, on Feb. 1, 2024, the Wellsville-Middletown graduate has served numerous customers young and old.

“I take everyone,” Hager said. “I don’t turn anyone away.”

Now, Hager is planning to start her second year as salon owner at a new location. Effective Feb. 1, Celestial Beauty will be operating at 1110 North Sturgeon in Montgomery City, less than a mile north from the current location of 112 West Third Street.

Hager will move her business into the former location of Yardbirds Greenhouses. She decided to relocate her shop at the end of December.

“It’s pretty big compared to this one,” Hager said. “I’ll be able to start bringing booth renters at some point. I won’t bring them in as soon as I go over there, but I do have the point of finding some people for that.”

Hager said she plans to bring tanning beds as well as get some employees at the new location.

“Overall, I think it would be a bigger and better opportunity at the new place because it’s so much bigger than here,” Hager said. “I always wanted to bring in employees/booth renters. That way, we can have more people in one place and not just me. There’s not enough room in here for anyone else, so with the bigger building, I’ll be able to bring in employees. I’ll be able to bring in the tanning bed, but still do all of the other services that I currently have.”

Celestial Beauty’s current location will be closed from Jan. 26-31. However, Hager will honor customers who booked appointments during that time.

“I have a few appointments that were already scheduled before I decided I was going to take off,” Hager said. “So I’m still going to take on those appointments, but I’m not going to take on anymore for that last week. With that being said, I do have availability the first week of February that I will be in the new salon, so people who want to book can do that the first week of February.”

Hager has already made plans for the new location.

“I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon,” she said. “I plan on bringing in more people and taking on more clients and hopefully eventually being able to open up on Thursdays and Fridays because those are the two days that I’m closed every week (at the old salon).”

Hager graduated from W-M in May 2024. She graduated from cosmetology school and attended esthetician school in Columbia. 

Before opening her shop last year, Hager had working experience in beauty salons. She was employed at A’la mode Salon and Boutique in Montgomery City for six months.

Hager, who is 20, said she gained a mix of new and returning clients during her first year as entrepreneur.

“I learned a lot,” she said. “There was a lot of trial and error. My clients definitely gave me a lot of grace as I figured everything out on my own. My clients have been very patient with me and it’s been great. I learned the ins and outs of how to do everything. My hours have fluctuated quite a bit, but hopefully here soon, I’ll be able to open up more hours at the salon.”

Hager credits her family members – including parents Daniel and April – and her clients for helping her run a successful salon after the first year.

“If I don’t have clients, I wouldn’t be able to move to a bigger place,” Hager said.

Celestial Beauty was the third salon within the last several years to be housed at 112 W. Third Street. Under The Dryer closed on Dec. 31, 2024 after almost a year. Lanie’s Beauty Salon was housed there for 49 years before it closed on May 26, 2023.