Owner Eve Alrashidi, at left, with master barber Gina Banks, middle, and assistant manager/stylist Jasmine Spear at Salon Soz. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – Passing by the place near the intersection of Highway 72 and Slaughter Road, one might assume Salon Soz is simply another hair-cutting establishment.

For owner Eve Alrashidi, it’s her slice of the American Dream.

Alrashidi, along with assistant manager and stylist Jasmine Spear, opened the location for business on May 2 after discussing the prospect together when they worked together previously.

Spear stresses the inclusiveness and family atmosphere the salon fosters.

“If you have hair, we’ll take care of you,” she said, mentioning the snack caddies available for kids. “We’ll have clients stay over for two hours and just talk sometimes, because they’re comfortable here.”

The journey to this point in Alrashidi’s life has been winding, starting in Cairo, Egypt, her birthplace. She lived in the Middle East for 20 years and worked for the U.S. Department of Defense as a local translator during the occupation of Iraq, where she lost a family member to the fighting.

She left her government job in 2010 and took up permanent residence in the U.S. Alrashidi worked numerous jobs in numerous locations but said she loves the Huntsville area and its “southern style.”

Spear emphasized the multi-cultural aspect of the salon and the services it offers, which include body waxing, color customizations, advanced highlighting techniques, natural hair coloring and more.

Above all, Alrashidi said, it comes back to the business-client relationships she, Spear, master barber Gina Banks and master cosmetologist Tina Banks work to cultivate.

“We treat people the way we want to be treated,” Alrashidi said.

Salon Soz, located at 7193 Hwy. 72, stays open until 7 p.m. most nights and 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Appointments are available online at salonsoz.com or by phone at 256-489-0013.