"Nikki. . . what do you want out of life?" I asked myself as I looked in the mirror. At the time I thought I was repeating a rhetorical question, but to my surprise an answer came. I wanted to do hair. I thought of myself as a little girl and how I would put my hair in rollers every chance I got (which was a lot of hoopla for a farm girl). The picture of what I wanted was so vivid, I felt compelled to put a pen to paper. I was so excited that I could barely understand my own scribble. My mind spun in the most exciting way. I was 27 and thought of all the reasons why I would love to be a hairstylist. I dreamt of owning my own salon in Rushford. I thought about all the differences I could make, not only in hair. . . but also in this beautiful bluff country that I love so much. I thought of making people feel beautiful on the outside, but more importantly the inside. I thought of this gig as more than just hair, but as an experience to fill people with joy and make the world just a little bit sweeter by playing out my life's purpose. Years after that initial thought, here I am. . . living out my dream. Like, someone pinch me. I love doing hair and everything that goes along with it. When I see people pep up in my chair after I give them a new 'do and give themselves "the look" my day is made. Building self confidence in others has got to be one of the most rewarding gifts a hairstylist can have. I believe in my vision and feel fortunate to have been blessed with such, so to all those who have supported this crazy, scary, awesome, super exciting dream of mine. . . I thank you. Here's to a new chapter in my storybook!