Photo and story by Julie Dawes
The State News

Kelly Brink isn't just styling hair, she's bringing people together. Brink owns and operates Kelly's International Creations, a multicultural beauty salon located at 15851 S. US-27 in Lansing. On any given day the single-chair salon is filled with women gossiping and laughing about current issues, friends and relationships.

"You talk about a lot of various topics and empty yourself," said Gladys Thomas, a customer for seven years. "You get the opportunity to meet people and reconnect with people. A lot of laughing and a lot support."

Brink opened the shop more than three years ago after working at several other Lansing salons, and many of her longtime customers followed. She said encouragement from others was a major reason she decided to go out on her own.

Many of her clients are referrals from other customers, she said. Lansing resident Jan Benson came to the salon after noticing a co-worker's hair.

"I looked at her hair and I was like, 'Who does your hair?' It looked so natural. It didn't look real. I wanted to ask her if she wore a weave or something," Benson said.

Brink works to create a special environment for her clients.

"My music, the way I decorate, the magazines I choose, create a serene and welcoming atmosphere for everyone," Brink said.

In the future, Brink would like to pass on what she has learned.

"I'd like to mentor or teach hair in areas that maybe weren't taught in school; like the financing."

Brink said she also aspires to work with hair for stage and theater productions.

But for now Brink said she'll keep working for herself and her customers, making a place where different races and generations can come together.

"You get to meet people up here, up in the beauty shop that you may not have met before. Meet people from all walks of life and you learn we're all pretty much the same," said Mary Hill, a customer for six years.