Sapphira welcomes new customers
By Lena Hensley
The Eatonton Messenger
May 10, 2024
According to one popular maxim, “beauty will save the world.” For Rachel Martin, a master cosmetologist and the owner of Sapphira Hair Studio, it’s not just words. It’s something she practices on a daily basis and dedicated her life to, and there is even a Bible verse (Ps. 90:17) supporting this idea that you can see on her storefront.
“I’ve always been a hair stylist and enjoyed making people beautiful,” said Martin. “Something I wanted to do even when I was a kid, and I love what I do. (It’s) a God-given gift. I always want to honor God with my work. I always pray that He would bless the work of my hands. What better way to represent and give back and honor Him with what I do.”
“I’d like to say Rachel Martin is the best hair dresser I’ve ever had,” said Gina McLeroy, loan assistant, Farmers and Merchants Bank. “My hair is always perfect and just what I wanted. She makes me feel wonderful about myself. And, to top it off, she is a sweet person who makes you feel like you matter to her and you are important. Not just a paying customer.”
“Ms. Rachel and her team are awesome,” said another customer, Chastity Culpepper. “She keeps my family looking amazing. I’m always on the go. She offers flexible hours to fit my busy schedule as well as great advice on how to manage an easy hairstyle. I definitely recommend this salon.”
Sapphira Hair Studio opened in September 2017. In the past, Martin owned salons in Conyers and Monticello and, after a two-year break as a stay-at-home mom, for a while she worked for a corporate salon, The Regis Corporation, in Athens. The company started closing some of its corporate facilities, and Martin was transferred to Eatonton. Then the Eatonton salon was closed, too.
“Before they closed, I decided that I wanted to keep my clientele here. I found some space and decided to open another salon. It’s been really good for me,” said Martin.
Born in Athens and raised in Watkinsville area, she made her first steps as a beautician as early as at age eight or nine braiding hair.
“That’s something that came as the second nature for me,” said Martin noting that her grandmother was a hairstylist, too.
It wasn’t until she was a teenager that she started experimenting with her friends, coloring and cutting their hair. Then, after graduating from Oconee County High School, she studied at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology, got licensed and certified with various manufacturers as their color and cut specialist.
Martin attends Harvest Time church in Madison and sometimes goes to the Yes Church International, also in Madison.
Martin says she named her salon after biblical “Sapphira,” which means ‘beautiful gem’ or ‘beautiful one.’ It was the name of her first salon in Conyers. She liked it and decided to name her salon in Eatonton the same way.
Currently, three people are employed at the salon – Martin, who mostly does coloring and cuts, master cosmetologist Whitney Powell and nail technician Lori Gray. The hair salon is family oriented, serves all ages and both genders, and is multi-cultural.
“We are well-versed in all textures of hair,” said Martin. “We have a nail tech, and she also does makeup and extensions. That’s it for right now, but I always look for ways to expand and add on different services to accommodate the community.”
Martin and her staff cater to the wedding community and special occasions. The salon also sells jewelry.
“I love costume jewelry,” said Martin smiling. “It’s a bit of my personality. I love old gaudy jewelry. We sell quite a bit of it.”
The other items that can be purchased at the salon are shampoos, conditioners, flat irons and curling irons.
Talking about future plans, Martin said that she would love to be able to purchase a building to expand and offer skincare.
“That’s a big frame of mind,” she said. “I would love to have a really nice salon and day spa, with a massage therapist and an aesthetician, to be completely full-service. I am a licensed Master Cosmetologist. I am licensed to do hair, skin and nails.”
Sapphira Hair Studio is located at 110-A N Jefferson Ave. and is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nail technician is available on Tuesday, Thursday and-Friday. To make an appointment, call 706-484- 2133.