Julie Cales

Co-Owner, Master Barber, Esthetician, & Nail Technician

Julie is the proud owner of AGES. She has been in the salon industry since 1977 and firmly believes in continuous education for all members of AGES's team. Her specialty is everything! She was asked, "What is one thing you want your clients to know?" Julie stated, “I will always listen and do what I think is best. I will even recommend one of our other services or other technicians.” Outside of work, she enjoys resting, watching her chickens, sewing, crafting, crocheting, cooking, and gardening.

 

Mack Cales

Co-Owner & Master Barber

Mack has been cutting hair for 18 years now and helped his parents, Julie and Mecco, open the salon in 2004 and has been here ever since, honing his skills and passion for what he does. He's lived in Farmville most of his life and has a deep love for our town. He specializes in hair hair styles, men's haircuts, pixies, curly hair, and straight razor shaves. Mack has a love for all types of artistic projects such as carving, sculpting, and painting. He enjoys working in his garden and mushroom hunting with Cheyenne.

 

Joe Flannagan

Co-Owner, IT Manager, & Receptionist

Joseph has been with the salon since 2016. After a death in the family, he decided to move back to Farmville from the Outer Banks to help with the family business. Shortly after moving back he married his wife, Bridget. He has over 20 years of customer service experience including 6 years of management experience. He focuses on the I.T. and utility/maintenance side of the business to keep everything running smoothly. Recently, Joseph became a co-owner at AGES and seeks to continue to grow and nurture what Julie and Mecco started. When he has spare time, he enjoys playing music, playing video games, and is always working to improve his cooking skills.

 

Bridget Flannagan

Executive Director

Bridget began working at the Spalon in 2016, when she moved up with her then fiance, Joseph, to start a new life together. While she never saw herself as a small business owner, AGES has become her passion and she is proud to be a co-owner with Julie, Mack, and Joseph. You will find her at the receptionist desk and manages all human resources and financial aspects of AGES. She is also a Qnity certified trainer for the Spalon and is seeking her external certification and coaching position. Bridget was recently nominated and elected for a board position on the Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce; her three year term will start in August 2022 and she will chair the Fundraising Committee and sit on the Publicity Committee. When not strategizing for the future of the Spalon, she enjoys spending time at home with her family and furbabies (currently 4 spoiled cats), reading, and traveling wherever and whenever possible.

 

Shawna Bryant

Education Manager, Master Cosmetologist, & Cosmetology Educator

Shawna started working at A Great Escape in 2004 when she began apprenticing under Julie. She specializes in cuts, hair color, and natural nails. She is fun, energetic, and wants to please all of her clients. Shawna wants all of her clients to know that she takes the time to do a thorough consultation to ensure she has a clear understanding of what her client wishes before any service begins. In her spare time, she is a homebody. She enjoys reading a good book and spending time with her two daughters and husband.

 

Lisa Williams

General Manager

Lisa has been with AGES since 2016. She has been managing businesses for decades, but has found her love in the craft at the Spalon. She had aspired to become a stylist herself and went through the AGES School, but unfortunately an accident has left her with nerve damage that has made her hands unable to perform at the lengths needed. In the future she plans on getting her educator's license to teach the students coming through the AGES School! Lisa has taken her love of managing one step further and was certified as an in-house Qnity trainer. She will soon be getting certified to teach Qnity externally to other businesses and hopefully become a coach to other Qnity trainers as well. As a former stage actress, she loves to randomly sing show tunes. She loves to travel and be near water. Her favorite pastime is simply being with her husband, 7 children, 5 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 hermit crabs!

 

Cheyenne Absher

Manager of Assistants & Head Assistant

Cheyenne has been with AGES since 2018. She started off as just an assistant but has now risen to become the manager of the assistants. She likes helping out when needed and her nickname at the salon is cookie monster. When not in the salon, she loves mushroom hunting with Mack and learning about witchcraft.

 

Heather Bloom

Master Cosmetologist

Heather has been a Paul Mitchell hair stylist for over 30 years. She specializes in haircuts and natural hair color, including highlights. She is constantly learning and seeking ways to improve her craft and ensure clients leave with exactly what they pictured. Heather enjoys helping others love their hair. When not creating beautiful hair for beautiful people, she enjoys spending time with her son, working on her house and farm, and fishing.

 

Stephanie Bowlings

Master Stylist

Stephanie moved to the area in June of 2023 from the mountains of Roanoke, Virginia. She has been behind the chair since 2008 and absolutely loves it. She specializes in lived-in and creative looks with a focus on scalp health. She has received further training as a scalp specialist. She loves incorporating the magical into any service she's doing. Your hair is her canvas where she can be both creative and intuitive. Stephanie strives to reach beyond the roots and into the healing of one's core self. She is mama to her 7 year old son, Brayden, and lover of nature, the moon, crystals, and reading her tarot cards.

 

Joni Smith

Licensed Cosmetologist

Joni has been with the Spalon for over 12 years. She specializes in hair color and hair extensions. She is the hair extension lead at AGES! In her free time, Joni enjoys being outside and playing music with her friends. She enjoys all things creative. She also dabbles in photography and is getting her photography business started.

 

Haley Prue

Licensed Cosmetologist

Haley joined the AGES team in 2021. She has been in the industry going on six marvelous years. She has wanted to be a cosmetologist her entire life. She loves the thought of making others feel good about themselves and that is what drives her. Her favorite things to do are color and highlighting because of all the science that goes into it, as well as something that really allows you to use your artistic skills within. Haley looks forward to seeing each and every one of her clients in her chair. Outside of the salon, Haley loves spending time with family and friends. Her nephew, Colton, is the center of her heart, along with her two dogs!

 

Kristen Edwards

Licensed Cosmetologist

A newly licensed cosmetologist, Kristen received her education and recently graduated from Southside Virginia Community College. She wants her clients to feel comfortable and leave feeling beautiful. Kristen loves manicures, pedicures, hairstyling, eyebrow waxing, and color services. She enjoys anything DIY or craft related. She also loves the fall, spooky things, shopping, the outdoors, and decorating.

 

Holly Barton

Licensed Cosmetologist

Holly joined the team via our apprenticeship program at the beginning of 2020. She specializes in unique coloring techniques such as balayage, baby lights, and ombre. Whether you would enjoy a more natural approach or like to change it up often, Holly is your girl. She also enjoys giving you a full spa experience, so if you are interested in body scrubs/wraps, facials, makeup, or even waxing services this is your one stop shop. Her goal is to give you the best look for you while also ensuring that any service is performed with the healthiest techniques.

 

Laniya Green

Licensed Cosmetologist & Ethnic Hair Specialist

Laniya is a braiding specialist! She attended Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy located in Lynchburg, VA, where she received her diploma. She passed her state boards and became a licensed cosmetologist in the summer of 2023. She has enjoyed doing hair since she was a child and by the age of 14, she knew that doing hair was her happy place. Laniya loves to do all types of styles, but her all time favorites would have to be any and all extensions and hair cutting. She enjoys singing, dancing, and spending time with my family! Her favorite things to do outside of cosmetology are to watch movies with my friends or family and enjoy long car rides!

 

Kayla Akau

Licensed Massage Therapist

Kayla is originally from Hawaii, where she attended Remington College for massage. She brings over 16 years of experience and is certified in prenatal massage, deep tissue, hot stone, and cupping. She joined the AGES team in 2020 and loves massage because she can help people feel their best. Kayla wants every client to leave her table feeling like they have had the best massage of their life. When not at the salon, she is spending time with her four children and Army veteran husband, with whom she has a small farm and jewelry business.

 

Shelby Hannas

Licensed Massage Therapist

Shelby has been a licensed massage therapist since 2020. Working mainly with chiropractors before she joined the Spalon in 2022, she is skilled in Swedish massage, sports therapy, and neuromuscular therapy. She is driven to continually improve her skill set and desires to tailor each session to the particular goal the person on her table may have. Years of dedicated athletic training have taught her the value of body work. She hopes to share the benefits of taking care of your body regardless of where you are at in life. She enjoys getting outdoors and spending time with friends and family.

 

Michael Akau

Massage Bodyworker

Michael grew up in Virginia, but his heart and culture are in Hawaii. He was licensed in massage therapy in Hawaii in 2007 and met his wife, Kayla, while in massage school. Massage is Michael's passion and his goal is to relax both mind and body. During his downtime, he spends time with his four children and enjoys all aspects of animal raising and care. Michael also owns his own jewelry making business, Hippie Mike's, and clients can find some of his pieces at the Spalon.

 

Joy Long

Reiki Practitioner & Meditation Instructor

Joy is a Reiki Level 2 Practitioner 15th lineage from Dr. Usui, creator of Usui Reiki, and was attuned by a very strong Master that grew up in Yogaville Community. She is also a certified meditation instructor. She believes that our health comes from within ourselves and that we are provided all that we need within our earth. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies Prek-6 with a minor in Special Education. Joy has certifications in Positive Child Discipline, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention and Advocacy, Legal Advocacy, Cultural Competency/Diversity, LGBTQ, Child and Youth Advocacy, and Crisis Intervention among others. She is a mom of 4 children and an equal half to a wonderful spouse. Joy is a wanderer, gardener, empath, beekeeper, chicken whisperer, animal lover, seeker, journeywoman, explorer, self taught herbalist, moon following, sun gazing, and open minded warrior.

 

Grace Neilsen

Cosmetology Apprentice

Grace is one of the hardest working people you will ever find. She utilizes her amazing fashion sense to help empower and reassure her clients about the unique and mesmerizing techniques she uses. She joined the AGES cosmetology school in 2021 and has since become certified in Paul Mitchell Flaunt tape-in extensions and continues to level up her experience and technical knowledge whenever possible. When not performing services, usually with an energy drink in hand, she aids as a receptionist for the salon. In her free time, she likes to learn about crystals, go to the beach, and read.

 

Madison Spence

Cosmetology Apprentice

Madison is new to the industry but has been honing her skills for two years. Her favorite things to do in the salon are makeup, hair color, and styling hair because each client is unique and these are all ways to help them embrace their personal style. Madison loves to make others feel more confident in themselves by glamourising their appearance. She loves spending time with her family, swimming, and going shopping.

 

Harlee Dickerson

Assistant

Harlee started working as an assistant in 2021 and is a great listener, ready to aid you in whatever you may need. She is always helping around the salon and you will often see her deep cleaning and strives to keep the salon a relaxing environment for all. In her spare time she gardens and practices her artwork.

 

Ella Sullivan

Assistant

Ella started out as an AGES mascot at a young age and has since been hired as an assistant. She hopes to learn how to work the desk in the future as well. She loves nature, books, animals, and going mushroom hunting with Cheyenne and Mack! Ella hopes to work with animals when she gets older.