Islander Franklin finds resilience and peace
After hurricanes destroyed her business, stylist welcomed at Cutting Ties Hair Salon
All the hurricanes Mother Nature could muster have not kept Pine Islander Kimberly Franklin from being resilient. With two small children (Emmitt and Marlie) who attend Pine Island Elementary, she has had to hold her life together, in spite of all the weather and storms.
She has been in the business of beauty for 24 years now. She said she loves it, with all the travel and education her work has brought to her door. After growing up watching her mother work with hair, it wasn’t a surprise that Kimberly Franklin went into the salon business.
“I got to work for L.A. Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and then did a hair show for Donatella Versace and opened for a lot of big shows,” Franklin said.
In 2005, Franklin had her own salon on Pine Island, and by 2015, she said she moved her Salty Strands Hair Salon over to Matlacha. Having had clients, not only from Pine Island, but also from North Captiva and Useppa, she said she loved the idea of being closer to everyone.
Franklin said the building where her salon is located was in flooded eight times in one year. After her brand new shampoo/massage chair got ruined, Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused more of what was already a huge loss for her.
“It was a big decision to move to another salon. Everyone kept asking why I didn’t just try to rebuild but, after losing so much it’s hard,” Franklin said.
Since her Matlacha home and business were lost during Hurricane Helene, she felt as though she needed time to process having to start from scratch. The idea of moving or starting over from somewhere else was not an option, she said.
“I want to be here. My clients are my family and our whole life is here,” she said.
Although she conceded that there is always a possibility that she will get Salty Strands up and running again, currently, folks can find her at Cutting Ties Salon, where Franklin was welcomed with open arms.
“They were really interested in me from the beginning, when they found out what had happened and they really were excited when I walked in and decided to join their team — they were thrilled,” Franklin said.
Cutting Ties Hair Salon is at 5465 Pine Island Road, #1a, Bokeelia. Call 239-283-4146 for information or appointments.