I opened my first business with a partner in 1980 in the Redwood Village, Aptos. We experimented with every aspect of the beauty industry. Hair, nales, skin and massage. By 1983 there were 12 full time staff working there. It was a very successful endeavor and after a few years I decided to go out on my own.

In 1984, I opened the original Daryl Steven's Associated Stylists in Santa Cruz by Dominican Hospital. This business was more focused on hair with just some of the other aspects of the industry. Daryl Steven's became one the busiest salons in the area with almost 30 stylists working there by 1991. At that point, I sold the business to afford myself some away time. In hindsight, it might have been a better idea to hire a manager...

After a couple of years of work and lots of play a group of stylists and I decided to open a new salon, Windward Hair Design in the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz. By 1994 we were up and running and that business has kept up a lively pace to this day. However, I was still looking for something in my industry that I had not ever quite experienced. Consequently, in 2005 I left Windward and started a new business capitalizing on the success of Daryl Steven's.

The new Daryl Stevens Salon and Spa fulfilled that 'something' I had been looking for. It was opened in September, 2005 in Scotts Valley directly in front of the Hilton Hotel. A fully complete, upscale Salon and Spa with well trained staff and ongoing education it offered everything in my industry from hair to medispa.

Conceptually, Daryl Stevens was exactly what had been missing in my then 30 years of my industry. It presented me with many opportunities to grow and understand both myself as well as others. However, timing is everything and unknowingly, I had gone out on a limb toward success that was unstable in a few short years to come. I sold this salon to a very successful stylist and after a year of standing back and watching her take the reins I saw it was time for me to move on once more.

Today, I'm working in two different salons in Santa Cruz. I made this decision to offer both my south as well as north county clientele a shorter commute.

David Adams, on 41st Avenue has created a very innovative, upscale Salon and Spatique that makes me feel at home after leaving my own salon.

Sue Carlson, has also created a wonderful, comfortable Salon with another lively group of stylists. Classic Hair on Scotts Valley Drive reminds me of the successful business I had left behind. It focuses on hair and has very talented staff that are a joy to work with.